Visiting Basingstoke in the UK

Basingstoke, recognized in part by its numerous roundabouts, is a medium-sized city located in southern England's Hampshire county. It is surrounded by the green, rolling North Downs. The wealth of farmland and wooded areas in northern Hampshire offer a pleasant view along the way to the city. Basingstoke was formerly a market town and its economic history dates back to the Middle Ages. In the 1850s, the first Burberry and Milwards shops were opened there. Modern-day Basingstoke serves as a hub for numerous international corporations in information technology, electronics, communications, and other industries.

Places of Interest:
Basingstoke is host to a number of historical sites. St. Michael's Church, built near the city centre more than five hundred years ago and damaged by bombings during the Second World War, is still open for regular services. The Basing House Ruins in Basingstoke Common to the east of the city are what is left of an elaborate palace built in the sixteenth century and destroyed in a siege a century later. Located a few kilometres north of Basingstoke, the Vyne is a Tudor estate that King Henry VIII visited multiple times. Some of the homes lining the streets within the city also date back to the Tudor era. Basingstoke contains many green spaces to use for sport and relaxation. War Memorial Park and Basingstoke and North Hants Cricket Club are not far from the city centre. Further out to the northwest and southwest are a few golfing greens. Horse and pony races for adults and children take place to the southeast of the M3 motorway in Hackwood Park.

Shopping and Entertainment:
Shoppers will not want to miss the Festival Place mall, which includes 165 shops and department stores as well as numerous restaurants, the Liquid nightclub, and a Vue cinema. The Anvil, Basingstoke's premier concert and theatre venue, is also located at the mall complex.

Transportation:
Basingstoke is easily accessible by car or train. It is located just off the M3 motorway linking the city of Southampton and Greater London's M25 motorway. Visiting Basingstoke can be a simple day trip travelling by rail from many cities including London, Southampton, Reading, and Salisbury. There are also bus connections with a number of nearby towns.

Lodging:
Hotels in the city include the Red Lion Hotel, the Hilton, and the Great Western Hotel. For a more pastoral setting, Tylney Hall offers one of the best hotels in Basingstoke and also caters for weddings and conferences