Location: Basingstoke
Top Things to do in Basingstoke
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The 10 Best Things to do Good for Big Groups in Basingstoke, England
Basingstoke (/ˈbeɪzɪŋstoʊk/ BAY-zing-stohk) is the largest town in the modern county of Hampshire (Southampton and Portsmouth being cities.) It is situated in south central England, and lies across a valley at the source of the River Loddon. It is located 30 miles (48 km) northeast of Southampton, 48 miles (77 km) southwest of London, and 19 miles (31 km) northeast of the county town and former capital Winchester. According to the 2016 population estimate the town had a population of 113,776. It is part of the borough of Basingstoke and Deane and part of the parliamentary constituency of Basingstoke. Basingstoke is often nicknamed "Doughnut City" or "Roundabout City" because of the number of large roundabouts.
Restaurants in Basingstoke
1. Galleon Marine
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 77 reviews
Galleon Marine offer Rowboats, Sit on Kayaks and Open Canoes that can be rented by the hour to enjoy and explore the Basingstoke Canal. We also have a picnic garden and small kiosk that sells, ice cream, hot and cold drinks and snacks. Our Self Drive Narrowboats can be rented for short breaks and week holidays for groups of 2 to 8 people. We are open from March to October.
2. Jan Jack's Laughter-House Comedy Club
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
Jan Jack's Laughter-House is a small buzzy comedy club bringing you top comedians from the UK circuit (est 2007). Comedy nights are usually the second Thursday in the month. Doors open 7.30pm show starts at 8.00pm. Book early to avoid disappointment. Tickets available through website.
Reviewed By miekesvb - Basingstoke, United Kingdom
We have been to a few times now to Jan Jacks laughter house and everytime we have a great evening full of laughs. It has a good atmosphere and there is always a varity of acts so something for everyone. Would recommend a visit.
3. Exciting Escapes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,421 reviews
Exciting Escapes are thrilled to bring the global phenomenon that is Escape Rooms to Basingstoke. Working together in a small group of 2-7 people, your challenge is to solve puzzles and mysteries together while the clock ticks down. Each room has a story that you play a part in, and each presents its own unique challenges for a truly entertaining experience. Will you accept the challenge?
Reviewed By sandragC3173IG
A great experience - easy to find in the centre of Basingstoke, with loads of nearby parking in Festival Place shopping centre. We did the 'Dark Deeds and Groceries' room set in 1927. The room was beautifully laid out with lots of period detail. Loads of interesting puzzles to solve and we needed a few hints from out friendly guide Jess to enable us to solve the room with just 13 seconds to spare! We look forward to coming bakc to try another room. Only one small criticism - without giving any spoilers, I found part of the room quite difficult to navigate as I'm getting on a bit and not as agile as I should be ! Luckily my two team mates were not as handicapped so I could leave it to them to do.
4. Glitch VR
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 66 reviews
Glitch VR is Basingstoke's first virtual reality gaming arcade. Come and try out the latest in virtual reality and PC gaming with the newest headsets and latest VR games.
Reviewed By GazP73 - Hungerford, United Kingdom
Took my 15yr old son during half term for a session here. We had a brilliant time. I am not particularly a gamer but I was blown away with the whole experience. Great equipment, fun games and very friendly welcome. We will be back
5. Escape Hunt Basingstoke
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 43 reviews
Experience the most exciting escape rooms in Basingstoke. Escape Hunt Basingstoke in Festival Place features 5-star rated escape rooms, VR experiences and outdoor adventures. Operating under enhanced cleaning procedures and safety measures, play safe and let the adrenaline flow as you race against time to crack the clues and escape the room. Great fun for groups, team building, corporate events, families or a night out with friends. Our expert staff can help you create an exciting and memorable day out, birthday party, group event, company away day and more. Escape Hunt is the global leader in escape room games with locations worldwide. Book online now and step up to the challenge at Escape Hunt Basingstoke!
Reviewed By lilaavie
Myself and three friends took part in the Alice in Wonderland escape room. It was our first time, but the game masters made it incredibly fun with their narrations and excellent customer service before, during and after the activity. We had so much fun, and would highly recommend anyone to come here for a different hang out experience! It would be great if we were given the option to purchase the video of us playing in the room!
6. The Vyne
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,046 reviews
Please note the rooftop walkway is now closed. As a £5.4m roof project draws to a close, young adventurers can enjoy a number of family trails through the grounds of this former Tudor palace. Amble past a six-hundred-year-old oak tree, tiptoe inside a 17th century summerhouse and stride across our north lawn. Out in Morgaston Woods, intrepid explorers can try their hand at den building, orienteering and geocaching. The ancient woodlands reveal traces of history if you know where to look. See if you can spot the remains of medieval fish ponds and a Second World War munitions storage site. For a chance to glimpse wetland wildlife, you can visit the purpose-built bird hide. Inside the house, visitors of all ages can be transported back to 1535 when Henry VIII visited with Anne Boleyn. Head to the chapel to hear a Tudor mass soundscape or venture into the Saloon to discover a Victorian owner who replaced The Vyne’s roof from 1842.
Reviewed By U5296PJdavidk - Worthing, United Kingdom
The Vyne , Just 5 miles approx from Basingstoke , This former Tudor Power House was great to see . Owned by the National Trust , £13 per adult to get in (June 2019 prices ) for non members . As you walk from the car park you go past the Walled garden with it`s delights of many flowers & Green house , Stroll along Lime Tree Avenue and then you come to The Vyne. As the doors opened at 11 am you go in and see the spender of This house from the Tudor oak gallery with 16th century wood carvings , to William Wiggett Chute who lived there with his family in the mid 19th Century. Each room preserved beautifully by the trust , And remember some notable guest who have stayed at the Vyne from Jane Austin & Henry Vlll . Plenty of objects on show and don`t forget the Victorian Chapel a complete surprise when you enter this room . Also a lovely exhibition about the £5.4 million (UK pounds ) roof restoration on how the roof was built with pictures & drawings . There is a second hand book shop also in the house and you can purchase a book or three . The tea room was just round the corner from the house where i had a cuppa , Then i had a stroll round the Estate , Follow the colored arrows markings , Yellow , Red , Brown telling you the distance of each route. I went on the shortest Yellow route 1 mile going towards the Wetlands area and back to the house . The last thing i did was to see the Summer house built in 1632 . It`s domed roof was very impressive . I enjoyed by tub of Judes ice cream which was situated outside the tea rooms and not far from the toilets. All the staff were magnificent, they work so hard to help you and me enjoy these places .
7. The Anvil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 313 reviews
The Anvil is one of Hampshire’s largest entertainment venues and offers a wide range of entertainment for all ages including stand-up comedy, theatre, ballet & opera, classical music, pop concerts and pantomime. This year we’ve welcomed top class performers including Lee Evans, Boy George and Billy Ocean and also had the pleasure of hosting one-off events such as the last UK concert appearance of the great pianist Alfred Brendel.
Reviewed By onhols4ever
Have been coming here (and The Haymarket) for years as it’s our ‘local’. Plays...music...children’s shows... panto... comedians...dance... we’ve seen them all. Just never thought to do a revue before! It’s a lovely friendly venue which in my humble opinion has got comfy seats with adequate legroom...plenty of loos in the ladies...helpful staff ...and ample parking right above with a train station literally steps from the door. I know this review should be for the actual venue but I have to mention the show we saw! Packed audience to see Anton and Erin...and we loved it! I was a bit hesitant as I thought it might be the two of them waltzing around all night. Far from it actually! Two great singers (love Lance Ellington’s voice...he used to sing in Strictly and is the son of the big band leader)...6 other dancers...and a fantastic orchestra. There was something for everyone...old style musicals right up to a fantastic take on The Greatest Showman...and a surprisingly entertaining Q&A section too. Anton comes across as a lovely man actually...not cocky at all as he sometimes appears to be on Strictly...lovely to the children in the audience...kind but not in the least condescending to a young lady he got up to dance with him. Now I can see why he has such a huge following! Very mixed audience.....men/women old/young. Thoroughly enjoyed it! TOP TIPS! Parking . We find it much easier to come in to the car park up the ramp by Basingstoke station...and much quicker to get out too! . Time your entry into the car park so your ticket is issued just after 7pm...ours was 7.05 and we had plenty of time. Only then can you buy your car park ticket BEFORE you go to the show! Nifty eh? Saves queuing up at the machines after with all the hoards!! . Go round to the right and keep going when parking so you can park as close as possible to the ‘out’ slope. . If you’re fit and healthy run up the flights of stairs...jump in the car with your pre paid ticket...and you’ll be out of the car park before most are even in the lift! SEATING TIP We’ve had seats all over to be honest but the ones we had for this show in the very centre of row K were great! There is a good ‘rake’ in the Anvil apart from the very front stalls so most seats are ok unless you get someone very tall or fidgety in front of you!
8. Milestones Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,342 reviews
Immerse yourself in the past at Milestones, Hampshire’s museum of living history. Explore the museum’s streets, shops and buildings to discover how people used to live, buy a ration of sweets from our 1940s sweet shop, view our unique collection of vintage vehicles and have a go in our penny arcade! Your trip to Hampshire past will take you as far back as the age of the Victorians, with cobbled streets, a replica Victorian school room – complete with chalkboard and teacher’s desk – and even a working printing press. Throughout the year, we run a programme of fun, family-friendly events and exhibitions – keep an eye on our Events for more details. From a working pub to a play space for under fives, costumed characters, interactive displays and more, there is so much for everyone to enjoy at Milestones!
Reviewed By 65AmandaG
We visited for the Storytime with Santa event today. The museum looked lovely with Christmas lights and trees, it was quiet (late afternoon) and there was a lovely warm atmosphere with music playing in the vintage music shop which could be heard from the cobbled streets. Father Christmas was the “actual real one” (said daughter, age 6) and story time was just lovely. Kids came away with a super gift too. We look forward to coming back next year!
9. Millfield Nature Reserve
10. Eastrop Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 213 reviews
Reviewed By moyni123 - Basingstoke, United Kingdom
Eastrop Park is a great place for all ages, it has a lovely park for the kids and boating lake, little paddle pool, plenty of space around the park, great place to picnic and throughout the year has things going on
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