Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, Basingstoke has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in Basingstoke.
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Sights in Basingstoke
Basingstoke is a large town in the North Hampshire countryside, just an hour’s train journey from London. The town has a long and rich history, dating back to the Iron Age when a hill fort was built on what is now the western edge of the town. In the Middle Ages, Basingstoke was an important market town and grew steadily until the early 19th century when the coming of the railways brought a period of rapid expansion.
Today, Basingstoke is a thriving commercial centre with a population of over 100,000. The town has excellent shopping and leisure facilities and is home to many major businesses. Despite its modern reputation, Basingstoke still retains its historic character with a number of important buildings and monuments.
The town centre is built around a large marketplace which dates back to the 13th century. The marketplace is still used for markets and events and is surrounded by atmospheric medieval streets. Just off the marketplace is the Market Hall, a beautiful timberframed building which was constructed in 1627.
Nearby is the Grade I listed Church of St. Michael, which was built in the 12th century. The church is notable for its striking Norman architecture and is one of the finest churches in Hampshire. Within the churchyard is the Mausoleum of Sir Richard Buskin, a wealthy Victorian businessman who was an important figure in the development of Basingstoke.
Another notable historic building is the Old Basing House, which dates back to 1519. The house was the home of the notorious Parliamentarian general, John Pakington, during the English Civil War. Today, the house is a ruin but is still an evocative reminder of Basingstoke’s turbulent past.
Just outside the town centre is the Milestones Museum, which tells the story of Basingstoke’s transport history. The museum is housed in a former railway goods shed and includes a variety of exhibits on the town’s railways, canals and roads.
Basingstoke is also home to a number of parks and open spaces. Eastrop Park is the largest park in the town and includes a lake, a playground and a café. Queens Park is a smaller park which is popular with families and holds a number of events throughout the year. There are also several nature reserves on the outskirts of the town, including Bramley Mount and Hatch Warren.
Whether you’re interested in history or just looking for a pleasant day out, Basingstoke has something to offer everyone.
History of Basingstoke
Basingstoke is a market town located in the northern part of the county of Hampshire, England. According to the 2011 census, it had a population of 107,355, and is the largest town in the borough of Basingstoke and Deane. Basingstoke is often nicknamed “Doughnut City” or “Roundabout City” because of the number of large roundabouts. It is part of the South Hampshire Builtup Area, which also contains the towns of Andover, Farnborough, Fleet, Gosport, Aldershot, and Fareham. Basingstoke was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, when it was called “Basingestoches”. It is thought to have derived from the Old English word “basing”, meaning “a cluster of dwellings”.
The town’s market was established in the 12th century, and it grew steadily into a prosperous town over the following centuries. It was home to many industries, such as the manufacture of cloth, brewing, ironworking, and papermaking. The town was also an important staging post on the coaching routes from London to Winchester and Exeter, and later became the junction of several major railways.
Basingstoke prospered throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, and was awarded the status of a municipal borough in 1867. It continued to grow in size and importance, and became a county borough in 1907. In the Second World War, the town was heavily bombed by the German Luftwaffe, and much of the town centre was destroyed. However, it was quickly rebuilt after the war, and has continued to expand in recent years.
Today, Basingstoke is a thriving commercial centre, with a large shopping centre, two museums, and a theatre. It is also home to many technology and financial companies, as well as to a campus of the University of Winchester.
Vacation in Basingstoke
Basingstoke is often thought of as a commuter town, and while it’s true that many people who work in London choose to live here because of the excellent transport links, there’s much more to Basingstoke than that. This is a vibrant and lively town with plenty to see and do, and it makes an excellent base for exploring the rest of Hampshire and beyond.
Whether you’re looking for a lively city break or a more relaxed pace of life, Basingstoke has something to offer everyone. The town centre is packed with shops, restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as plenty of green spaces to relax in. If you’re a fan of the outdoors, there are some beautiful walks to be enjoyed in the surrounding countryside, and the town is also wellconnected to the south coast, meaning you can easily reach popular seaside towns such as Bournemouth and Poole.
Those looking for some culture during their break will be spoiled for choice in Basingstoke, with a number of museums and art galleries to explore. The Anvil concert hall is one of the town’s most popular attractions and plays host to a variety of shows and events throughout the year.
So, whatever kind of vacation you’re looking for, Basingstoke is sure to have something to suit. Come and explore this thriving town for yourself and discover all that it has to offer.
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