Visiting Basingstoke and Deane

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is named after the largest town and the smallest village. The borough covers an area of over 245 square miles in North Hampshire of which over 90% is rural. The rest of the borough is made up of villages and rural hamlets and countryside and includes 47 conservation areas.

The town centre attracts a large number of local and regional shoppers to The Malls and the Top of the Town and an award winning shopping centre Festival Place. Festival Place has many of the top high street shops such as Apricot and Next. As well as restaurants and Vue multiplex cinema.

There is lots to see and do around the borough. The rolling hills and woodlands of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty cover a section of the western side of the borough, offering lots of opportunities for outdoor pursuits such as walking and cycling. Discover more about what makes Basingstoke and Deane a great place to visit, live, work and play from Love Basingstoke.

The borough is twinned with Alencon in France, Braine-l’Alleud in Belgium and Euskirchen in Germany.

There are 16 infant, 16 junior, 26 primary and 11 secondary schools in the borough which are supported by Hampshire County Council.

View now and then images of Basingstoke by visiting The Willis Museum webpages.

Basingstoke has lots to offer

There is plenty to see and do in Basingstoke and the surrounding areas. The Leisure Park is packed full of exciting entertainment including:

• watching the resident professional ice-hockey team, Basingstoke Bison
• visiting Milestones museum
• taking in the latest blockbuster at the Odeon cinema
• trying your luck at Basingstoke Buzz Bingo
• taking a swim at the Aquadrome.

If that’s not to your taste, why not take in a performance at The Haymarket or The Anvil, a nationally acclaimed concert hall?

The area has a range of parks and open spaces for all ages.

• Eastrop Park, which has held a green flag award for the past nine years, has a range of activities to keep you occupied, from a boating lake to a paddling pool, a tree trail, a wildlife pond and children’s playground.
• Black Dam ponds and Crabtree Plantation have a lot to offer for those interested in wildlife.
• War Memorial Park for a relaxing day.

Why not check what’s on in the borough there’s always plenty to see and do! Basingstoke benefits from a series of free public events such as the Transport Festival, in May, Basingstoke Festival, a two week outdoor arts festival held in June/July and Love Basingstoke presents.

Want to know where to park, find out where the car parks are and what type they are. The Top of Town area has won special ‘Park Mark’ safety awards for 10 of its car parks. If you have a blue badge there are several places you can park in the town.

With a rich history and in an excellent location, Basingstoke and Deane offers the perfect blend of a vibrant town and scenic countryside, find out more from Love Basingstoke.