Location: Basingstoke
Top Things to do in Basingstoke
Countries
Top 10 Things to do 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. Skizone
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 42 reviews
At Skizone our revolving, fully adjustable ski slopes replicate a real piste. The slope surface is an astro-turf carpet which offers the most economical way to learn and is suitable for all ages and abilities. With a fully qualified instructor by your side throughout the lesson and a mirror at the bottom of the slope feedback is instant and gives you the best opportunity to perfect your technique.
Reviewed By kevin_Crine - Basingstoke, United Kingdom
compared to both dry slope and indoor snow slopes, Skizone is the best way to hone your skills. i've learnt to both ski and snowboard there. the 3 main advantages that it has are 1) unlike dry/snow slopes where you have to waste time going up and down on the drag lift, at Skizone you get every second of practice time. so half an hour on their equates to many hours on a dry slope. 2) the surface at Skizone has a lot more friction than at the other slopes, so you need a lot more control to do it. so it punishes you if you make a mistake, which means your technique becomes that much better. 3) unlike a dry slope, the gradient and speed of the slope can be altered by the instructor so it can be made to suit all abilities. also the staff are very friendly and helpful.
2. 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 .
3. 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!
4. 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!
5. 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
6. Crabtree Plantation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By 354franciso - London, United Kingdom
It a lovely and beautiful plantation.The family likes visiting and the kids loves riding their bikes in the woods whiles exploring.There is a free car park at the entrance and a land paying are for the kids as well.
7. Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 98 reviews
Since 1984, the Willis Museum has been housed in this impressive early Victorian building that was once Basingstoke’s Town Hall. It is named after George Willis, a local clockmaker, antiquarian and former Mayor of Basingstoke, who became the first honorary curator when the original museum was established in the Mechanics Institute in New Street in 1931. The building you see today replaced the original Mote Hall (meeting place) where Jane Austen attended dances. This replacement Town Hall was designed by Lewis Wyatt and was open on the ground floor, serving as the town’s Corn Exchange and Market. Centrally located at the Top of the Town, in the Willis Museum you will discover Basingstoke and Deane’s past, from the rich archaeological heritage beneath our feet right up to the modern day. Throughout the year, we also run a programme of touring exhibitions, as well as fun events, workshops and activities for all the family to enjoy.
Reviewed By junjess
Fabulous gallery space, hosting interesting exhibitions. Lovely coffee shop, serving a good selection of cakes.
8. Festival Place Shopping Centre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 192 reviews
Reviewed By Ankit2385 - Bengaluru, India
One stop place in Basingstoke for almost everything you need.. All sort of shops including groceries, home items, apparels, toys, gifts etc and plenty of places to Eat as well. They keep hosting some activities around the year.
9. Haymarket Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By 276felicityf - Reading, United Kingdom
The Haymarket theatre is a gem: modern where it needs to be (box office, bar, lavatories), with a stylishly antique facade and auditorium. The seats are 'raked' so no-one has to suffer the annoyance of a very tall person in from of them obliterating their view, and very comfortable. The reason for my visit was to see Andy Fairweather-Low and the Low Riders. It was an evening of truly fabulous entertainment in a lovely place. The evening *could* have been marred by the complexity of Basingstoke Borough Council's parking machines in Wote Street, which charge even on a Sunday evening. The instructions are not clear, and after-dark it's almost impossible to see the numbers and letters for entering your car registration to obtain a ticket. Fortunately, a group of us struggled through it together, using the light from our phones! I might otherwise have given up and gone home before the performance.
10. Black Dam Ponds
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Ankit2385 - Bengaluru, India
Been here with group of Family friends and we really enjoyed our evening here. Free parking, Kids play area, few benches and nice grassed area for Picnic. Kids also enjoyed feeding the ducks & swan. There is nice walking trail which takes you to the Crabtree plantation reserve.
