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As one of Hampshire’s biggest towns, there’s lots more to Basingstoke than meets the eye.
Here, we pick our top 10 things to do in Basingstoke:
Basingstoke Leisure Park
No visit to Basingstoke is complete without a visit to the Basingstoke Leisure Park! There are lots of different activities to try, why not whiz your way around the rapids at the Basingstoke Aquadrome, or try your ice skating skills at Planet Ice. Try a spot of indoor skydiving or enjoy a family game of bowling at Hollywood Bowl.
Milestones Museum
Step back into days gone past on a trip to Milestones Museum. Situated next to Basingstoke Leisure Park, you can explore this indoor museum’s various buildings, including the ever-popular sweet shop. Get your ration book and choose your favourites!
Visitors young and old will also love the penny arcade.
The museum regularly hosts events during the school holidays, so do keep an eye on what’s on.
Festival Place
Basingstoke’s largest shopping centre, Festival Place is home to lots of the big brands such as M&S and Next. Here, you’ll also find a cinema and a good selection of restaurants including Pizza Express and other familiar names. Festival Place has a large car park and is a short walk from Basingstoke Railway Station.
The Anvil
Adjacent to Festival Place, The Anvil is Basingstoke’s biggest concert and arts venue. This prestigious concert hall offers a varied programme of classical, jazz, country, folk and popular music that attracts and delights audiences from far and wide. It is also a popular comedy venue with big acts including Dara O Briain, Jack Whitehall and Ruby Wax all performing here.
Vemillion
Sample some plant-based fare at Vemillion café in Chineham Shopping Centre. From hearty breakfast choices to delicious main meals like sandwiches, jacket potatoes, and Buddha bowls, there is plenty to choose from.
The Willis Museum & Sainsbury Gallery
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Discover Basingstoke & Deane’s rich history by heading to The Willis Museum. Here, you can find out about archaeological findings and history right up until modern day. Look out for touring exhibitions and events throughout the year.
The Vyne
A National Trust property on the outskirts of Basingstoke, The Vyne is a red-bricked Tudor mansion built in the 16th century. Re-modelled in the 17th century to its present day configuration, The Vyne holds a fascinating history which included notable guests such as Jane Austen.
The house is set in 13 acres of beautiful, relaxing gardens and has its own tea room.
Basing House
Explore the nationally important ruins of Basing House, once the largest private house in Tudor England. Come along and find out more about the history of this fascinating site with audio tours available to download in advance of your visit to aid your discovery.
Enjoy a picnic in the re-created Jacobean garden, and come along to the many events and activities held throughout the year, including open air theatre, dig pits, re-enactments and a December Christmas market.
Basingstoke Miniature Railway
Hop aboard a miniature train at one of Basingstoke and District Model Engineering Society’s public running days. Usually held once a month during the spring-autumn, these events are popular with all ages. Keep an eye on special steam events and Halloween-themed trains too.
Atmosphere Trampoline Park
Bounce away any excess energy at Atmosphere Trampoline Park, on the outskirts of Basingstoke. With under 5s sessions, open sessions and fun events such as the Friday Night Space Rave, there’s lots of fun to be had.
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Whether you are looking to spend the day or a quick time out, Basingstoke Leisure Park is packed with activities to enjoy leisure time on your own or with family and friends.
Basingstoke Aquadrome is a state of the art leisure facility with 3 swimming pools which incorporate attractions for every type of swimmer. The 25 metre pool offers fitness swimmers an unrivaled facility. The 20 metre pool has a moveable floor allowing a whole spectrum of activities to take place and the leisure lagoon has 3 super flume rides, a rapid river, bubble pools, water cannons, a toddler area and other features.
Experience the amazing sensation of flying with iFly Indoor Skydiving! Soar like a bird in the 14ft (4.3m) diameter, super-fast wind tunnel.
From cobbled streets to a seaside pier, teddy bears, vintage vehicles, an operating pub, sweet shop and more, there is so much for everyone to see, do and enjoy at Milestones, Hampshire’s museum of living history!
With some of the finest acoustics in the country, The Anvil has firmly established itself as one of the South's leading venues for high quality live music.
Vemillion is a café in Basingstoke, and it proudly holds the title of being the first and only completely plant-based café in the area. With a strong focus on sustainability, Vemillion strives to become the most eco-friendly café in Hampshire. One of the ways they achieve this is through their use of compostable packaging, moving away from harmful single-use plastics. Their mission is clear - to serve great food without costing the planet.
At 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, a programme of touring exhibitions, as well as fun events, workshops and activities for all the family to enjoy.
The Vyne is a warm red-bricked Tudor mansion built in the 16th century for Lord Sandys, Henry VIII's Lord Chamberlain, which later passed into the hands of the Chute family, who cared for the house and estate for over 300 years. It was remodelled to its present configuration in the mid-17th century.
Unearth the amazing stories of Basing House, the nationally important historical ruins of the largest private house in Tudor England which suffered at the hands of Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War.
The Basingstoke & District Model Engineering Society was established in 1975, by a small group of like-minded individuals. We are now a well-established model engineering club with facilities to run steam locomotives, traction engines and scale rolling stock. Members of the public are able to ride on the railway on the first Sunday of most months from 11am to 4pm. See our website for details of public running days at our club track at the Viables Craft Centre.
