Basingstoke at a glance
Basingstoke is a vibrant and diverse town in the south of England, featuring a bustling centre that blends modern convenience with the history and tradition of a small market town. Just an hour from both London and the south coast, Basingstoke is the perfect place for those looking for a desirable location with great transport links, exciting and varied attractions, yet still offering stunning countryside and green spaces.
Basingstoke is a dynamic, well-connected town, with a strong economy that punches well above its weight - which in turn yields a high quality of life for residents. It has also been earmarked for £13 million redevelopment, which taken together make it an attractive location for businesses and those looking for a base for commuting.
A hidden gem in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, not to mention a town that is establishing itself as an important commercial hub, Basingstoke has plenty to offer tourists and business visitors alike.
Places to stay in Basingstoke
Basingstoke is not a particularly large town, so anyone looking for a base from which to commute will more than likely want to find accommodation in the centre, close to the main station. There are a few hotels and B&Bs dotted around, but those looking to make an extended stopover may be best suited to a serviced apartments - which can offer all the convenience of a hotel, with the added privacy and flexibility of a self-contained space.
Th Squa.re offer a selection of serviced apartments in Basingstoke which have been specially selected based on their high level of furnishing and convenience of location. Each features fully equipped kitchen facilities and a tasteful, contemporary interior, as well as offering a host of conveniences - including disabled access where required.
Culture & shopping in Basingstoke
Basingstoke is a great place from which to explore the south of England, with many historic and cultural attractions just a short journey away. Yet the town itself has plenty to see and do. The Vine is a stunning country house with a stained glass chapel, an ornamental lake and a walled kitchen garden. Basing House is a large, 16th-century Tudor castle, with historical info, community events & guided tours. For families, Milestone’s museum is an Interactive, undercover family attraction recreating street scenes with vehicles, shops and homes. Anyone looking for a cultivated evening out will find the Anvil theatre and live music venue, and the Haymarket theatre both host a varied and stimulating programme of shows.
There are also some great shopping facilities in the town. The Malls Shopping Centre in Castle square has around 30 retailers, plus the surrounding pedestrian area plays host to many more, including convenience stores and fashion brands. There’s also Chineham shopping and Festival Place for further choices. Whilst it may not have the same of some of the bigger cities nearby, Basingstoke caters more than adequately for the casual shopper.
Getting around in Basingstoke
Basingstoke has great transport links both northbound and southbound. The fastest train services to London reach the capital in under 50 minutes, with up to six services running into both Victoria and Waterloo every hour during busy periods. There are also excellent rail links to Reading, Swindon, Southampton and Portsmouth.
Getting around in Basingstoke itself is made easy by the twin's extensive bus network covering the borough with links to places such as Alton, Andover, Baughurst, Camberley, Tadley, Whitchurch and Winchester. If you are travelling by bus and train, you may wish to consider using a PlusBus ticket. This is a discounted ticket allowing unlimited bus travel around town and is available when buying your train ticket.
