The borough of Basingstoke and Deane has a rich archaeological heritage. Early settlement dates back to the Neolithic period and finds from the Bronze Age, Stone Age and Iron Age have been discovered throughout the borough. Roman occupation is much in evidence and pottery and coins have been found at a number of sites, including North Waltham where several Roman villas have been located. Calleva Atrebatum, now Silchester, remains a rich source of material for archaeologists. Abandoned by the Romans, it is one of the best-preserved walled towns in the country. The Celts, Danes and the Saxons also settled in the area, with the latter giving their name to Basingstoke.
The documented history of the town begins with the Domesday Book, when the market was already in evidence and milling played a key role; a legacy which is retained in the placenames Kingsmill and Houndsmill. Througout the medieval period the woollen trade flourished, beginning a tradition of fabric production which has been reinforced by silk and Burberry gabardine.
By the 1700s the town had become an important staging post on the turnpike road from London to Andover. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the development of the canal and the railway brought more trade to the town. By the late Victorian period manufacturing was in evidence with the expansion of the Thornycroft company in the town. The 1960s witnessed significant change for the borough, with new building projects and massive population growth from London. Modern Basingstoke and Deane continues to evolve.
The borough has a wealth of interesting buildings, from Norman and medieval churches through to Victorian stately homes. Significant historical and political events and individuals feature strongly in its history. Basing House played a key role in the English Civil War and was widely acknowledged to be the most magnificent residence in Tudor England. During the 16th century The Vyne at Sherborne St. John was home to Henry VIII's Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sandys. For his defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815, the Duke of Wellington received the Stratfield Saye estate, which remains in the Wellington family. Highclere Castle is the ancestral home of the 8th Earl of Carnarvon whose great grandfather gained fame through his dramatic discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen with Howard Carter in 1922.
The borough’s villages and towns are home to an array of buildings and interesting features, and each has a fascinating history of its own. The beautifully restored twentieth century garden by Gertrude Jekyll can be found at The Manor House in Upton Grey, and the recently restored Wind Engine is located in Crux Easton. There are over 1800 listed buildings and 40 conservation areas, along with a number of Village Design Statements, which celebrate the unique qualities of each place. Find out more at http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/planning/leaflets/villagedesigns.htm.