Kingsclere has many royal connections from at least Saxon times - it was mentioned by King Alfred the Great in his will. The early name was simply "Clere", a parish that stretched as far as the present Burghclere and Highclere. Through the Middle Ages the Kings hunted across nearby Freemantle park. Sydmonton - on the road to Burghclere - is now the home of Lord Lloyd-Webber, which faces the Watership Down of rabbit warren renown. At St Mary's church ("the cathedral of the downs"), much of the Norman church survives, the building having been restored during the great Victorian church building era. On special occasions it is floodlit, showing the curious and perhaps unique "bed bug" weather vane - added on the orders of King John after a rather disturbed night at the nearby inn! The picture is courtesy of David Sadler.

Today there is an active Village Club as well as shops, two pub-restaurants and a widely popular Italian restaurant, Sasso's.

Visit my Home Page
Or click on the drop down menus at the top of this page to find your way round my website