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Basingstoke is a town in Hampshire. It is a 'new town', one of several constructed in the 1950s to accommodate overspill population from London. Throughout the 70's and 80's was often considered a joke 'dull' town with nothing to offer and had very little to entertain any visitors unless they were into trainspotting or roundabouts (it is alleged that Basingstoke has the highest number of roundabouts per head population of any UK town - but its probably no longer true!).
Recent redevelopment of the town centre has seen the growth of a huge shopping area, lots of restaurants and new cinemas and theatre. Basingstoke - it seems -has grown up!
Get in
Basingstoke has a station on the main line from London to Southampton. There is also a line to Reading. Train times can be found on the National Rail Planner or by calling 0845-748-4950 from anywhere in the UK. It takes around forty minutes to get to Basingstoke from London Waterloo station. The station is situated at the edge of the town centre and is only a minute's walk from the shops.
Alternatively the town is conveniently situated for the M3 motorway (US English: freeway) also from London to Southampton and is about one hours drive from both. The A33 links the town with Reading and the M4.
Get around
By Foot
Basingstoke does not have a large town centre and it is more than possible to visit any shop by foot.
By Bus
Basingstoke is well served by buses. The central bus station is situated in the town centre and most buses stop at the station. The buses are regular and serve most outlying areas of the town.
By Car
Basingstoke is easy to drive around and the town centre dows not suffer from much congestion (except for at peak times). There is ample parking in both 'Top of Town' and Festival Place and the town's ring road (called 'Ringway') makes it easy to access any part of Basingstoke without much trouble.
See
Basing House, Redbridge Lane, Old Basing (1 mile east of Basingstoke), tel 467294. Once a major Tudor palace and castle rivalling Hampton Court, Basing House was destroyed in a civil war siege. Now an attractive set of ruins, with an explanatory exhibition. Car parking is very difficult in Old Basing village; instead follow the signs to Basing House car park and get the bonus of a very attractive walk along the crystal clear River Loddon to the house. Alternatively bus line 8 runs once an hour from Basingstoke bus station stopping outside Basing House main entrance. Open Apr-Sep W-Su 2pm-6pm. £1-2.
Silchester Roman Town, Silchester (5 miles north of Basingstoke). Known to the Romans as Calleva Atrebatum, Silchester was abandoned after the Roman era which means that much of the archeology remains. All that is left on the surface now are a complete ring of city walls, the amphitheatre and an little mediaeval church. Away from the rivers that have dictated the area demographics, Silchester is about as isolated a place as you will find in south-east England; on a spring weekday you are likely to find yourself sharing the ruins only with cows. Open every day sunrise-sunset. Free.
Milestones Museum, Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, tel 477766. A living history museum, with reconstructed street scenes and buildings from the Victorian era. Open Tu-F 10am-5pm; Sa-Su 11am-5pm; M closed. £3.50-6.50.
Eat
The Basingstoke area has many restaurants of different types and costs and it clearly isn't possible to list them all here. The following small selection are restaurants which have been visited and recommended by Wikitravellers:
The Millstone Pub, Bartons Lane, Lychpit, (adjacent to Basing House car park), tel 331153. This pub, situated by the delightful River Loddon, was until recently a fantastic authentic rustic pub. It has now been 'renovated' so lost some of its character but now does bar food. Thankfully it still has a good range of real ales. A good place to eat before or after visiting Basing House (see 'See'). £6-10.
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