Basingstoke Tourist Guide Shopping Theatres Hampshire

Basingstoke Tourist Information

Behind the modern shop fronts Basingstoke is an historic town. Up until the 1950s Basingstoke was a small market town that has a mention in the Domesday Book. It's traditional industries were cloth making and malting and brewing. You can still see some of the town's historic buildings particularly in London street where the architecture ranges from seventeenth to twentieth century.

The Market Place is the historic centre of the town and is where you can find the Willis Museum in the old Town Hall. Exhibitions and displays tells you all about the local history of Basingstoke. The museum also organises talks, workshops and family friendly activities. The Willis Museum, Market Place, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7QD. Tel: 0845 603 5635.

In Jane Austen's time Basingstoke was a main social centre and she is known to have attended social gatherings at the Assembly Rooms in Basingstoke (these are now the Barclays Bank in the Market Place marked by a blue plaque).

Basingstoke has a local information point for visitor information where you can pick up leaflets for the heritage trail around the town or for attractions nearby. Visitor Information at Basingstoke Library, 19-20 Westminster House, Potters Walk Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7LS. Tel: 01256 473901.

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Basingstoke Shopping Festival Place

Today Basingstoke is celebrated as an excellent shopping centre. Right in the centre of the town is the Festival Place shopping centre with a huge choice of high street names. There are 165 shops, 30 restaurants, bars and cafes, a 10 screen cinema and night club, as well as a sports centre and library.

The Festival Place is open every day of the week from 9am-8pm Mon-Fri, Sat 9am-6pm and Sun 11am-5pm. It's easy to find in the centre of Basingstoke, right next to the central pay and display car park.

There are also shops along the main streets in the town. Just on the outskirts of the town centre is The Malls shopping centre with further shopping choices.

Basingstoke continues its market tradition with weekly markets every Wednesday and Saturday.

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Milestones Museum

One of the big attractions in Basingstoke is the Milestones Museum. It's a living history museum that houses a network of nineteenth and early twentieth century streets. The buildings have been recreated using authentic materials and you can see an authentic Hampshire period house and a working pub.

The museum takes everyday items from the past and recreate everyday life showing how things have changed. It's a fantastic nostalgia trip for those that can remember those days gone by and a bit of an eye-opener for the younger ones! Milestones also holds a collection from Thorneycroft that was one of the main employers in the Basingstoke and Hampshire area. They were major shipbuilding and vehicle manufacturers and you can see some of their vehicles and original factory machinery.

Milestones is open Tue-Fri and on Bank Holidays from 10am-5pm. Sat-Sun 11am-5pm. There is a range of events throughout the year and changing exhibitions in addition to the main attractions. Check the weblink right for up-to-date events.

It lies one mile from Basingstoke town centre at the Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG22 6PG. Tel: 0845 603 5635. Email: milestones.museum@hants.gov.uk

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Basingstoke Leisure Park

On the same complex as Milestones is the Leisure Park. There's a huge choice of things to do for all the family including a multi-screen cinema, indoor bowls, ten pin bowling, swimming pool and ice rink. There are also a range of fast food outlets once you've worked up an appetite.

Aquadome is a fun swimming pool with rides and slides for all the family. There's also a fitness centre with over 130 pieces of equipment. For drier entertain try Bowlplex for ten pin bowling lanes and amusements.

Planet Ice is where you can have a go at ice skating or even get a spot of training to brush up your skills. There are a range of events held at the arena including ice hockey and ice entertainment shows. Click on the link right for more information.

Planet Ice Arena, Leisure Park, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG22 6PG. Tel: 01256 355266. Fax: 01256 357367. Email: basingstoke@planet-ice.co.uk

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Basingstoke Arts - The Anvil - The Haymarket Theatre

Basingstoke is well off for arts venues with The Haymarket Theatre, The Anvil and The Forge.

The Anvil is a widely acclaimed concert hall whose acoustics are excellent for orchestral performances in particular. Throughout the year there is a programme of events including classical, jazz, country, folk and popular music as well as comedy. It also hosts the traditional Christmas panto. The Anvil, Churchill Way, Basingstoke RG21 7QR.

In the centre of town is the Haymarket Theatre. It has recently been refurbished to provide The Exchange performance space in addition to the theatre where they offer a full programme of drama, dance and theatre. The Haymarket, Wote Street, Basingstoke RG21 7NW.

To book tickets call the box office number which serves all three venues. Box Office: 01256 844244.

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