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{{Short description|Town in Hampshire, England}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2012}} {{Use British English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Good article}}
{{infobox UK place {{Infobox UK place
|country = England | country = England
|official_name = Basingstoke | official_name = Basingstoke
| type = ]
|static_image_name = Oakridge Tower - geograph.org.uk - 603671.jpg
| static_image_name = Basingstoke montage.png
|static_image_caption = <small>Old and modern housing</small>
|static_image_width = 280px | static_image_width = 275
| static_image_caption = Clockwise from top: Town centre viewed from Churchill Way at night, The Anvil theatre, ], ], high-rise flats in Crown Heights, and the AA Building (])
|latitude = 51.2667
| coordinates = {{coord|51.2667|-1.0876|type:city(114,000)_region:GB-HAM|display=inline,title}}
|longitude = -1.0876
| label_position = top
| population = 83,662
| population = 113,776
| population_ref =<ref name="hantsgovfactsandfigures">{{cite web | year = 2010 | url = http://www3.hants.gov.uk/parish_total_level_forecast_2010.xls | title = Parish total level forecast: (unparished area) Basingstoke & Deane | publisher = Hampshire County Council| accessdate =24 October 2011}}</ref>{{Ref label|A|a|none}}
| population_ref = <ref name="hantsgovfactsandfigures">{{cite web | year = 2016 | url = http://www3.hants.gov.uk/factsandfigures/population-statistics/pop-estimates/small-area-pop-stats.htm | title = Hampshire County Council, Small Area Population Forecasts. Parish data: Parish total level forecast: (unparished area) Basingstoke & Deane | publisher = Hampshire County Council | access-date = 24 October 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160106004111/http://www3.hants.gov.uk/factsandfigures/population-statistics/pop-estimates/small-area-pop-stats.htm | archive-date = 6 January 2016 |url-status = dead}}</ref>{{efn|Population figure is an estimate for 2010, and includes only the unparished area, not the surrounding area.}}
|shire_district = ]
|shire_county = ] | shire_district = ]
|region = South East England | shire_county = ]
| region = South East England
|constituency_westminster = ]
|post_town = Basingstoke | constituency_westminster = ]
|postcode_area = RG | post_town = Basingstoke
|postcode_district = RG21, RG22, RG23, RG24 | postcode_area = RG
| postcode_district = RG21–RG24
|dial_code = 01256
|os_grid_reference = SU637523 | dial_code = 01256
| os_grid_reference = SU637523
|website =
| website = {{URL|https://basingstoke.gov.uk}}
}} }}
'''Basingstoke''' is a ] in northeast ], in south central England. It lies across a ] at the source of the ]. It is {{convert|48|mi|km|0}} southwest of London, {{convert|30|mi|km|0}} northeast of ], {{convert|16|mi|km|0}} southwest of ] and {{convert|19|mi|km|0}} northeast of the ], ]. In 2008 it had an estimated population of 82,913. It is part of the borough of ] and part of the ] of ]. Basingstoke is often nicknamed "Doughnut City" or "Roundabout City" because of the number of roundabouts.


'''Basingstoke''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|eɪ|z|ɪ|ŋ|s|t|əʊ|k}} {{respell|BAY|zing|stohk}}) is a town in ], situated in south-central England across a valley at the source of the ] on the western edge of the ]. It is the largest settlement in Hampshire without ]. It is located {{convert|30|mi|km|0}} north-east of ], {{convert|48|mi|km|0}} south-west of ], {{convert|27|mi|km|0}} west of ], {{convert|22|mi|km|0}} south of ] and {{convert|20|mi|km|0}} north-east of the ] and former capital ]. According to the 2016 population estimate, the town had a population of 113,776.{{efn|In 2012 the town proper had a population of 84,275, but this does not include the large suburban villages of ], ] or ], which are now considered as outer suburbs of the town.}} It is part of the borough of ] and part of the ] of ].
Often mistaken for a ], Basingstoke is an old ] expanded in the 1960s as part of a tripartite agreement between ], ] and Basingstoke Borough Council. It was developed rapidly, along with ] and ], to accommodate part of the ] as perceived under the ], 1944.<ref>{{cite book | last = Stokes | first = Eric | title = Basingstoke – Expanding Town | publisher = The Workers’ Educational Association | year = 1980 | page = 15}}</ref> Basingstoke market was mentioned in the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/hampshire1.html|title=The Domesday Book Online – Hampshire|year=1086|accessdate=24 May 2012|quote=A market at 30s}}</ref> and Basingstoke remained a small market town until the 1950s. It still has a regular market, but is now bigger than Hampshire County Council's definition of a market town.<ref name="ruralfaqs">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/factsandfigures/ruralfaqsgeneral.html#5| title = Rural Hampshire FAQs| publisher = Hampshire County Council| accessdate =12 January 2007}}</ref>


Basingstoke is an old ] expanded in the mid-1960s, as a result of an agreement between ] and ]. It was developed rapidly after the Second World War, along with various other towns in the United Kingdom, in order to accommodate part of the ] as perceived under the ] in 1944.<ref>{{cite book | last = Stokes | first = Eric | title = Basingstoke – Expanding Town | publisher = The Workers' Educational Association | year = 1980 | page = 15}}</ref> Basingstoke market was mentioned in the ] of 1086 and it remained a small market town until the early 1960s. At the start of the ], the population was little more than 13,000. It still has a regular market, but is now larger than Hampshire County Council's definition of a market town.<ref name="ruralfaqs">{{cite web| year = 2006| url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/factsandfigures/ruralfaqsgeneral.html#5| title = Rural Hampshire FAQs| publisher = Hampshire County Council| access-date = 12 January 2007|url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071001005523/http://www.hants.gov.uk/factsandfigures/ruralfaqsgeneral.html#5| archive-date = 1 October 2007| df = dmy-all}}</ref>
Basingstoke is an economic centre, and is the location of the UK headquarters of ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ],<ref>{{cite web | title = Home page | url = http://www.bplg.co.uk | publisher = BNP PARIBAS Leasing Solutions UK }}</ref> the leasing arm of ] in the UK, and ] Professional Solutions (Europe). Other industries include ], ], telecommunications, insurance and electronics.


Basingstoke became an important economic centre during the second half of the 20th century and houses the locations of the UK headquarters of ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], FCB Halesway part of ], BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions (the leasing arm of ] in the UK) and ] Professional Solutions. It is also the location of the European headquarters of the ] Golf Company. Other industries include ], telecommunications, insurance and electronics.
== Geography and administration ==
Situated in a valley through the ] at an average altitude of {{convert|88|m|ft}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://unitedkingdom.meteoconsult.co.uk/weather/basingstoke/united-kingdom/weather_forecast_basingstoke_united-kingdom_city_9945_0.php |title=Meteoconsult web site Accessed 11 January 2011 |publisher=Unitedkingdom.meteoconsult.co.uk |accessdate=6 August 2011}}</ref> Basingstoke is a major interchange between ], ], ], ], and ], and lies on the natural ] between the southwest of England and London.


===Governance=== == Etymology ==
The name Basingstoke (A.D 990; Embasinga stocæ,<ref name="anglosaxons">{{cite web| year = 2006| url = http://www.anglo-saxons.net/hwaet/?do=get&type=charter&id=874| title = Anglo-Saxon Charters| publisher = Sean Miller| access-date = 3 June 2007| archive-date = 30 September 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181722/http://www.anglo-saxons.net/hwaet/?do=get&type=charter&id=874| url-status = live}}</ref> ]; Basingestoches) is believed to have been derived from the town's position as the outlying, western settlement of Basa's people.<ref name="placenames">{{cite web| year = 2006| url = http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/ins/epntest/keytoepn.html| title = English Place Names| publisher = The University of Nottingham| access-date = 3 June 2007| archive-date = 27 May 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070527114611/http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/ins/epntest/keytoepn.html| url-status = live}}</ref>{{efn|The ] shows a toponymic interpretation of the various ] elements within the names Basing and Basingstoke. ''Bas'' is taken to be from the personal name 'Basa', ''ingas'' as 'people of' and ''stoc'' as 'dependent farmstead' or 'secondary settlement'.}} Basing, now ], a village {{convert|2|mi|km|0}} to the east, is thought to have the same etymology, and was the original Anglo-Saxon settlement of the people – ] – led by a tribal chief called ''Basa''. Basing remained the main settlement until changes in the local church moved the religious base from St Marys Church, Basing, to the church in Basingstoke.<ref name="oldbasingpc">{{cite web| year = 2006| url = http://www.oldbasing.gov.uk/profile.htm#history| title = Old Basing & Lychpit Parish History| publisher = Old Basing & Lychpit Parish Council| access-date = 3 June 2007|url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111001122400/http://www.oldbasing.gov.uk/profile.htm#history| archive-date = 1 October 2011| df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=A Dictionary of English Place-Names|last=Mills|first=A.D.|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1991|isbn=0-19-869156-4|location=Oxford|pages=26}}</ref>
The ] was formed under the 1885 ] and is currently served by ] Member of Parliament (MP) ], who was elected in the ].<ref>{{cite web | title = Maria Miller MP | publisher = TheyWorkForYou.com | url = http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/maria_miller/basingstoke| accessdate =26 August 2007 }}</ref>


== History ==
] is the local ] Council and has its offices in the town. ] take place in 3 out of every 4 years. After the ] the council has 34 Conservative, 13 ], 11 ] and 2 ] councillors.<ref name="hold">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/election2011/council/html/24ub.stm|title=England council elections|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=20 July 2011}}</ref>


Basingstoke is part of a two-tier local government structure and returns county councillors to ]. When the cities of Southampton and ] attained ] status in 1998, Basingstoke became the largest settlement in the ] administered by the county council,<ref>{{cite web | title = Hampshire County Council library service, Best Value Inspection 2001| publisher = Hampshire County Council | url = http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/Products/BVIR/AC0D8291-8C93-4141-9347-E1DB6121A44E/HampshireCC01.pdf|format=PDF| accessdate =26 August 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Combined feasibility and building design project appraisal| publisher = Hampshire County Council | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/scrmxn/c20001.html| accessdate =26 August 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071001005701/http://www.hants.gov.uk/scrmxn/c20001.html |archivedate = 1 October 2007|deadurl=yes}}</ref> although it remains the third largest settlement in the ].

=== Physical geography and geology ===
The precise size and shape of Basingstoke today are difficult to identify, as it has no single official boundary that encompasses all the areas contiguous to its development. The unparished area of the town represents its bulk, but several areas that might be considered part of the town are separate parishes, namely ], ], and ]. The unparished area includes ] which was previously a separate village and parish,<ref>{{cite web | title = Victoria County History, Worting Parish| publisher = British History Online | url = http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=56798&strquery=worting| accessdate =26 August 2007 }}</ref>
extending beyond Roman Road and Old Kempshott Lane, which might otherwise be considered the town’s ‘natural’ western extremity. The ward boundaries within the parliamentary constituency are not ({{as of|2007|8|lc=on}}) coterminous with the parish boundaries.

Basingstoke is situated on a bed of ] ] with small areas of clayey and loamy soil, inset with combined ] patches. ] and ] ] and ] sediments line the bed of the river Loddon. A narrow line of tertiary ] run diagonally from the northwest to the southeast along a line from ] through ], ] and the north part of ]. To the north of this line, encompassing the areas of Chineham and Pyotts Hill, is ].<ref>{{cite book | last = Stokes| first = Eric| title = Basingstoke – Expanding Town| publisher = The Worker’s Educational Association| year = 1980 | page = 45}}</ref>

=== Divisions and suburbs ===

Basingstoke's expansion has absorbed much surrounding farmland and scattered housing, transforming it into ]s or local districts. Many of these new estates are designed as almost self-contained communities, such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. The ] acts as a buffer zone to the south of the town, and the ] constrains the western expansion, with a ] to the north and north-east, making Basingstoke shaped almost like a kite. As a result, the villages of ], ], ] and ], although being very close to the town limits, are considered distinct entities. Popley, Hatch Warren and Beggarwood are seeing rapid growth in housing.<ref>{{cite web | title = Report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services| publisher = Hampshire County Council | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/decisions/decisions-docs/070717-excsed-R0710180838.html| accessdate =26 August 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Report of the Director of Environment| publisher = Hampshire County Council | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/decisions/decisions-docs/031111-exemss-R1106153251.html| accessdate =26 August 2007 }}</ref>

Nearby towns: ], ], ],

Nearby villages: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ].

== History ==
=== Early settlements === === Early settlements ===
]]] ]]]
The ] at ] (<span style="white-space:nowrap">{{convert|2|mi}}</span> west of the town centre), known locally as Winklebury Camp or Winklebury Ring<ref name="winkleburyring">{{cite web | year = 2005 | url = http://www.forthill.hants.sch.uk/folders/community/history_of_winklebury_ring/a_brief_history_of_winklebury_ring.cfm | title = A brief history of Winklebury Ring| publisher = Fort Hill Community School| accessdate =9 May 2007|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070928145535/http://www.forthill.hants.sch.uk/folders/community/history_of_winklebury_ring/a_brief_history_of_winklebury_ring.cfm |archivedate = 28 September 2007|deadurl=yes}}</ref> dates from the ] and there are remains of several other earthworks around Basingstoke including a ] near Down Grange. The site is now home to Fort Hill Community School.<ref name="hampshiretreasures">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/hampshiretreasures/vol02/page029.html | title = Hampshire Treasures Vol 2| publisher = Hampshire County Council| accessdate =9 May 2007}}</ref> Nearby, to the west, Roman Road and Kempshott Lane mark the course of a ] that ran from ] to ]. Further to the east, another Roman road ran from ] through the outlying villages of ] and ]. The ] is an ] that runs to the south of the town.


A Neolithic campsite of around 3000 BC beside a spring on the west of the town is the earliest known human settlement here, but the Willis Museum has flint implements and axes from nearby fields that date back to Palæolithic times. The ] at ] (<span style="white-space:nowrap">{{convert|2|mi|km|0}}</span> west of the town centre), known locally as Winklebury Camp or Winklebury Ring<ref name="winkleburyring">{{cite web| year = 2005 | url = http://www.forthill.hants.sch.uk/folders/community/history_of_winklebury_ring/a_brief_history_of_winklebury_ring.cfm | title = A brief history of Winklebury Ring| publisher = Fort Hill Community School| access-date = 9 May 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928145535/http://www.forthill.hants.sch.uk/folders/community/history_of_winklebury_ring/a_brief_history_of_winklebury_ring.cfm |archive-date = 28 September 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref> dates from the ] and there are remains of several other earthworks around Basingstoke, including a ] near Down Grange. The site of Winklebury camp was home to Fort Hill Community School (this school has shutdown).<ref name="hampshiretreasures">{{cite web| year = 2006| url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/hampshiretreasures/vol02/page029.html| title = Hampshire Treasures Vol 2| publisher = Hampshire County Council| access-date = 9 May 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930183540/http://www.hants.gov.uk/hampshiretreasures/vol02/page029.html| archive-date = 30 September 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref> Nearby, to the west, Roman Road marks the course of a ] that ran from ] to ]. Further to the east, another Roman road ran from ] through the outlying villages of ] and ]. The ] is an Iron-age ] that runs to the south of the town. The first recorded historical event in the area was the defeat of King ] and his brother ] at Old Basing by the Danes in 871.
=== Etymology ===
The name Basingstoke (A.D 990; Embasinga stocæ,<ref name="anglosaxons">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.anglo-saxons.net/hwaet/?do=get&type=charter&id=874 | title = Anglo-Saxon Charters| publisher = Sean Miller| accessdate =3 June 2007}}</ref> ]; Basingestoches) is believed to have been derived from the town's position as the outlying, western settlement of Basa's people.<ref name="placenames">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/ins/epntest/keytoepn.html | title = English Place Names| publisher = The University of Nottingham| accessdate =3 June 2007}}</ref>{{Ref label|B|b|none}} Basing, now ], a village a few miles to the east, is thought to have the same etymology, but is considered by some to be the older settlement.<ref name="oldbasingpc">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.oldbasing.gov.uk/profile.htm#history | title = Old Basing & Lychpit Parish History| publisher = Old Basing & Lychpit Parish Council| accessdate =3 June 2007}}</ref>


=== Market town === === Market town ===
]]] ]]]

Basingstoke is recorded as being a market site in the ], and has held a regular Wednesday market since 1214.<ref name="marketsandfairs">{{cite web | year = 2004 | url = http://www.history.ac.uk/cmh/gaz/gazweb2.html | title = Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs| publisher = Centre for Metropolitan History| accessdate =9 May 2007}}</ref>
During the ], and the ] of ] between 1643 and 1645, the town played host to large numbers of ]. During this time, ] was damaged whilst being used as an explosive store<ref name="stmichaels">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.stmichaelsbasingstoke.org.uk/ChurchBuilding.html | title = St Michael's Church – the building| publisher = Hampshire County Council| accessdate =3 June 2007|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070703061428/http://www.stmichaelsbasingstoke.org.uk/ChurchBuilding.html |archivedate = 3 July 2007|deadurl=yes}}</ref> and lead was stripped from the roof of the Chapel of the Holy Ghost, Basingstoke<ref name="hampshiretreasures2">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/hampshiretreasures/vol02/page035.html | title = Hampshire Treasures Vol 2| publisher = Hampshire County Council| accessdate =3 June 2007}}</ref> leading to its eventual ruin. ] is believed to have stayed in the town towards the end of the siege and wrote a letter to the Speaker of the ] addressed from Basingstoke.<ref>{{cite book | last = Baigent | first = Francis J.| coauthors = James Millard| title = A History of the Ancient Town and Manor of Basingstoke | publisher = C.J. Jacob | year = 1889| page = 565}}</ref>


The cloth industry appears to have been important in the development of the town until the 17th century along with ].<ref name="vchonline">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=56764 | title = Victorian County History – Hampshire Vol 4| publisher = British History Online| accessdate =29 May 2007}}</ref> Basingstoke is recorded as a weekly market site in the ], in 1086, and has held a regular Wednesday market since 1214.<ref name="marketsandfairs">{{cite web | year = 2004 | url = http://www.history.ac.uk/cmh/gaz/gazweb2.html | title = Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs| publisher = Centre for Metropolitan History| access-date = 9 May 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070609094005/http://www.history.ac.uk/cmh/gaz/gazweb2.html| archive-date= 9 June 2007 |url-status = live}}</ref>
During the ], and the siege of ] between 1643 and 1645, the town played host to large numbers of ]. During this time, ] was damaged whilst being used as an explosive store<ref name="stmichaels">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.stmichaelsbasingstoke.org.uk/ChurchBuilding.html | title = St Michael's Church – the building| publisher = Hampshire County Council| access-date = 3 June 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070703061428/http://www.stmichaelsbasingstoke.org.uk/ChurchBuilding.html |archive-date = 3 July 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref> and lead was stripped from the roof of the Chapel of the Holy Ghost, Basingstoke<ref name="hampshiretreasures2">{{cite web| year = 2006| url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/hampshiretreasures/vol02/page035.html| title = Hampshire Treasures Vol 2| publisher = Hampshire County Council| access-date = 3 June 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930200855/http://www.hants.gov.uk/hampshiretreasures/vol02/page035.html| archive-date = 30 September 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref> leading to its eventual ruin. It had been incorporated in 1524, but was effectively out of use after the Civil War. The 17th century saw serious damage to much of the town and its churches, because of the great fires of 1601 and 1656. ] is thought to have stayed here towards the end of the siege of Basing House, and wrote a letter to the Speaker of the ] addressed from Basingstoke.<ref>{{cite book | last = Baigent | first = Francis J.|author2=James Millard| title = A History of the Ancient Town and Manor of Basingstoke | url = https://archive.org/details/cu31924017840772 | publisher = C.J. Jacob | year = 1889| page = }}</ref>


] became important during the 18th and 19th centuries, and the oldest and most successful was May's Brewery, established by Thomas and William May in 1750 in Brook Street.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Worker's Educational association|first1=|last2=Willis|first2=George|editor=Barbara McKenzie|title=Historical Miscellany of Basingstoke|year=1972|publisher=The Crosby Press|location=Basingstoke|page=53|chapter=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Hawker|first=Anne|title=The Story of Basingstoke|year=1984|publisher=Local Heritage Books|location=Newbury|isbn=0863680119|page=68|chapter=7}}</ref> The cloth industry appears to have been important in the development of the town until the 17th century along with ].<ref name="vchonline">{{cite web| year = 2007| url = http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=56764| title = Victorian County History – Hampshire Vol 4| publisher = British History Online| access-date = 29 May 2007| archive-date = 28 September 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928021033/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=56764| url-status = live}}</ref> ] became important during the 18th and 19th centuries, and the oldest and most successful brewery was May's Brewery, established by Thomas and William May in 1750 in Brook Street.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Worker's Educational association|last2=Willis|first2=George|editor=Barbara McKenzie|title=Historical Miscellany of Basingstoke|year=1972|publisher=The Crosby Press|location=Basingstoke|page=53|chapter=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Hawker|first=Anne|title=The Story of Basingstoke|year=1984|publisher=Local Heritage Books|location=Newbury|isbn=0863680119|page=68|chapter=7}}</ref>


=== Victorian history === === Victorian history ===
] Simplicity steam roller]]
]
The ] arrived in 1839 from London, and within a year it was connected to Winchester and Southampton. In 1848 a rival company, sponsored by the ] built a branch from Reading, and in 1854 a line was built to ].<ref name="railwayhistory">{{cite web | author = Christopher J. Tolley | year = 2001| url = http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cj.tolley/cjt-brhc.htm | title = Basingstoke's Railway History in Maps |accessdate =3 May 2008|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080515181902/http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cj.tolley/cjt-brhc.htm |archivedate = 15 May 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> In the 19th century Basingstoke began to move into industrial manufacture, Wallis and Haslam (later ]),<ref name="wallishistory">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/museum/history/wallis_and_steevens/index.html | title = Wallis and Steevens – A Timeline| publisher = Hampshire County Council| accessdate =6 June 2007}}</ref> began producing agricultural equipment including ] in the 1850s, moving into the production of stationary ] in the 1860s and then ]s in the 1870s. The ] arrived in 1839 from London, and within a year it was extended to ] and ]. In 1848 a rival company, sponsored by the ] built a branch from ]. In 1854 a line was built to ] by the London and South Western.<ref name="railwayhistory">{{cite web | author = Christopher J. Tolley | year = 2001| url = http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cj.tolley/cjt-brhc.htm | title = Basingstoke's Railway History in Maps |access-date = 3 May 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080515181902/http://web.ukonline.co.uk/cj.tolley/cjt-brhc.htm |archive-date = 15 May 2008|url-status = dead}}</ref> In the 19th century Basingstoke began to move into industrial manufacture, Wallis and Haslam (later ]), began producing agricultural equipment including ] in the 1850s, moving into the production of stationary ] in the 1860s and then ]s in the 1870s.<ref name="wallishistory">{{cite web| year = 2006| url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/museum/history/wallis_and_steevens/index.html| title = Wallis and Steevens – A Timeline| publisher = Hampshire County Council| access-date = 6 June 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070613052918/http://www.hants.gov.uk/museum/history/wallis_and_steevens/index.html| archive-date = 13 June 2007| url-status = dead}}</ref>


Two traders who opened their first shops within a year of each other in the town, went on to become household names nationally: Thomas ] in 1856 and Alfred Milward in 1857.<ref>{{cite book | last = Hawker| first =Anne| title = The Story of Basingstoke| publisher = Hampshire County Museum Service| year = 1999| page = 69}}</ref> Burberry became famous after he invented ] and Milward founded the Milwards chain of shoe shops, which could be found on almost every high street until the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite news| title = Milward’s celebrates 125 years of footwear| newspaper = Hants & Berks Gazette| year = 1982| url =| postscript = <!--None--> }}</ref> Two traders who opened their first shops within a year of each other in the town, went on to become household names nationally: Thomas ] in 1856 and Alfred Milward in 1857.<ref>{{cite book | last = Hawker| first =Anne| title = The Story of Basingstoke| publisher = Hampshire County Museum Service| year = 1999| page = 69}}</ref> Burberry became famous after he invented ] and Milward founded the Milwards chain of shoe shops, which could be found on almost every high street until the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite news| title = Milward's celebrates 125 years of footwear| newspaper = Hants & Berks Gazette| year = 1982}}</ref>


John May, a member of the brewery family, was several times mayor of the town. A benefactor to the town, he paid for the building of a drill hall in Sarum Hill for the use of the Hampshire Volunteers (later used as a cinema and then a furniture shop) and a wing for the Cottage Hospital in Hackwood Road. The drill hall was opened in 1885 and also used for concerts and exhibitions. He also bought a piece of open space that was about to be sold for housing and let it at a low rent to the Basingstoke Cricket Club. This cricket ground is still in use and is called "May's Bounty".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Attwood |first=Arthur |title=Basingstoke; Arthur Attwood's look into the past |publisher=Basingstoke Gazette |year= |location=Basingstoke |pages=33–40}}</ref>
Ordinary citizens were said to be shocked<ref>{{cite book | last = Baigent| first = Francis J.| coauthors = James Millard| title = A History of the Ancient Town and Manor of Basingstoke| publisher = C.J. Jacob | year = 1889 | page = 552}}</ref> by the emotive, ] tactics of the ] when they arrived in the town in 1880, but the reaction from those employed by the breweries or within the ] trade quickly grew more openly hostile. Violent clashes became a regular occurrence{{Ref label|C|c|none}} culminating on Sunday 27 March 1881 with troops being called upon to break up the conflict after the Mayor had read the ]. The riot and its causes led to questions in ] and a period of notoriety for the town.<ref>{{cite book | last = Baigent| first = Francis J.| coauthors = James Millard | title = A History of the Ancient Town and Manor of Basingstoke | publisher = C.J. Jacob| year = 1889 | pages = 551–553}}</ref>


Ordinary citizens were said to be shocked<ref>{{cite book | last = Baigent| first = Francis J.|author2=James Millard| title = A History of the Ancient Town and Manor of Basingstoke| url = https://archive.org/details/cu31924017840772| publisher = C.J. Jacob | year = 1889 | page = }}</ref> by the emotive, ] tactics of the ] when they arrived in the town in 1880, but the reaction from those employed by the breweries or within the ] trade quickly grew more openly hostile. Violent clashes became a regular occurrence.{{efn|In summarising to Magistrates at the trial of those members of the public said to have rioted against the Salvationists, defence counsel stated that ''Until this body known as the Salvation Army was formed here, the number of summonses which had come before the Magistrates was comparatively unknown. They now had a large number of assault cases to hear.'' ''The army perfectly well knew that their conduct was leading to disturbances in the town''. The case against the defendants was dismissed.<ref>{{cite book | title = The Salvation Army at Basingstoke. Report of the proceedings before the Magistrates on May 3rd and 9th, 1881| location = Basingstoke | year = 1881 }}</ref>}} On Sunday 27 March 1881 troops were called upon to break up the conflict after the Mayor had read the ]. The riot and its causes led to questions in ] and a period of notoriety for the town.<ref>{{cite book | last = Baigent| first = Francis J.|author2=James Millard | title = A History of the Ancient Town and Manor of Basingstoke | url = https://archive.org/details/cu31924017840772| publisher = C.J. Jacob| year = 1889 | pages = –553}}</ref> The town was described as 'Barbarous Basingstoke' by one London newspaper in 1882 but by March 1882 the disturbances were dying down.<ref>Bob Clarke (2010) The Basingstoke Riots ({{ISBN|978-0-9508095-6-4}})</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Attwood |first=Arthur |title=Basingstoke: Arthur Attwood's Lookinto the Past. |publisher=Basingstoke Gazette |location=Basingstoke |pages=67}}</ref>
In 1898 ] began production of ] in the town and ] quickly grew to become the town’s largest employer.<ref name="thornycrofthistory">{{cite web | year = 2005 | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/thornycroft/ | title = Thornycroft of Basingstoke| publisher = Hampshire County Council| accessdate =6 June 2007}}</ref>

]]]
In 1898 ] began production of ] in the town and ]'s quickly grew to become the town's largest employer.<ref name="thornycrofthistory">{{cite web| year = 2005| url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/thornycroft/| title = Thornycroft of Basingstoke| publisher = Hampshire County Council| access-date = 6 June 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070613120729/http://www.hants.gov.uk/thornycroft/| archive-date = 13 June 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref>


=== Recent history === === Recent history ===
Basingstoke suffered very little bomb damage during the ]. A stick of German bombs did fall in the Church Square area on 16 August 1940. The same day bombs destroyed part of a row of houses in Burgess Road. Six people were killed in the raid.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Attwood |first=Arthur |title=Basingstoke: Arthur Attwood's look into the past |publisher=Basingstoke Gazette |location=Basingstoke |pages=57–60}}</ref> Overall, 13 civilians died from enemy action during the war in the town.<ref>{{cite web|title=Basingstoke Municipal Borough Civilian War Dead, with list of casualties|url=http://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-a-cemetery/cemetery-details/4004105/basingstoke-municipal-borough/|publisher=]|access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref> After the war, the town had a population of 25,000.<ref name="Basingstoke census">{{cite web|title=A Brief History - Basingstoke census|url=http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/browse/leisure-and-culture/local-history-and-heritage/abriefhistory.htm|website=Basingstoke.gov|publisher=Basingstoke and Deane|access-date=15 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711000043/http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/browse/leisure-and-culture/local-history-and-heritage/abriefhistory.htm|archive-date=11 July 2014|url-status = dead}}</ref>
Basingstoke was among the towns and cities targeted during the ], and suffered bomb damage including St Michael's Church. After the war, it had a population of 25,000. {{citation needed|date=April 2012}}


As part of the London Overspill plan, along with places such as ] and ], Basingstoke was rapidly developed in the late 1960s as an 'expanded town', in similar fashion to ]. As the population increased, the town produced more figures of national importance, such as the art critic ] and the actress ]. Many office blocks and large estates were built, as well as a ].<ref name="Basingstoke census"/> The shopping centre was built in phases. The first phase was completed by the 1970s and was later covered in the 1980s, and was known as The Walks. The second phase was completed by the early 1980s, and became ]. The third phase was abandoned and the site was later used to build ] concert hall.<ref name="The Anvil Arts">{{cite web|title=History of The Anvil|url=http://www.anvilarts.org.uk/about-us/history|website=Anvil Arts|access-date=15 June 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006102341/http://www.anvilarts.org.uk/about-us/history|url-status=live}}</ref> The central part of the shopping centre was rebuilt in 2002 and reopened as ]. This has brought a dramatic improvement to shoppers' opinions of the town centre.<ref name="Basingstoke census"/><ref name="centralbascommittee">{{cite web| year = 2007| url = http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/CommitteeDocs/Committees/Central%20Basingstoke%20Vision%20Single%20Issue%20Panel/20070410/Minutes%20of%20the%20Meeting%20held%20on%2010%20April%202007.doc| title = Central Basingstoke Vision, Single Issue Panel Meeting No 5| publisher = Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council| access-date = 8 May 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222609/http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/CommitteeDocs/Committees/Central%20Basingstoke%20Vision%20Single%20Issue%20Panel/20070410/Minutes%20of%20the%20Meeting%20held%20on%2010%20April%202007.doc| archive-date = 27 September 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref>
As part of the London Overspill plan, Basingstoke was rapidly developed in the late 1960s as an 'expanded town', along with places such as ] and ]. Basingstoke town centre was completely rebuilt. At this time many buildings of historic interest were replaced by a large red brick shopping centre and concrete ]. Many office blocks and large estates were built, including a ]. {{citation needed|date=April 2012}}


] shopping centre in August 2007]]
The shopping centre, following money issues, was built in phases. The first phase was completed by the 1970s and was later covered in the 1980s, and was known as ''The Walks''. The second phase was completed by the early 1980s, and became ''The Malls''. The third phase was abandoned and the site was later used to build ] concert hall. {{citation needed|date=April 2012}}


== Geography ==
Later that year, the ] launched its "Basingstoke – A Place to be Proud of" campaign, aimed at changing people’s perception of the town.<ref name="sloganlaunch">{{cite web | year = 2003 |
Situated in a valley through the ] at an average elevation of {{convert|88|m|ft}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://unitedkingdom.meteoconsult.co.uk/weather/basingstoke/united-kingdom/weather_forecast_basingstoke_united-kingdom_city_9945_0.php |title=Meteoconsult web site |publisher=Unitedkingdom.meteoconsult.co.uk |access-date=6 August 2011 |archive-date=31 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831221519/http://unitedkingdom.meteoconsult.co.uk/weather/basingstoke/united-kingdom/weather_forecast_basingstoke_united-kingdom_city_9945_0.php |url-status=live}}</ref> Basingstoke is a major interchange between ], ], ], ], and ], and lies on the natural ] between the southwest of ] and ]. The area had been something of an interchange even in ancient times. It had been cut by a Roman roadway that ran from northeast to southwest, from Silchester towards Salisbury (Sorbiodunum), and by another Roman road that linked Silchester (Calleva Atrebatum) in the north with Winchester (Venta Belgarum) to the south. These cross-cutting highways, along with the good agricultural land hereabouts, account for the many "Roman" villas in the area, mostly put up by Romanized native nobility (]). Even more ancient was the Harrow Way, a Neolithic trackway, possibly associated with the ancient tin trade, that crossed all of southern England from west to east, from Cornwall to Kent, passing right through Andover and Basingstoke.
url = http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/campaigns/2003/10oct/031013pride.shtml| title = Gazette aims to put pride back into Basingstoke| publisher = HoldtheFrontPage.co.uk| accessdate =26 August 2007}}</ref> The campaign is ongoing ({{as of|2011|6|lc=on}}) and marked by the presentation of annual awards to individuals, organisations or businesses nominated by the public for commendable local achievement.<ref name="proudnominate">{{cite web | year = 2007 |
url = http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/community/proud/| title = Place to be proud of awards| publisher = Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council| accessdate =26 August 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070808014643/http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/community/proud/ |archivedate = 8 August 2007}}</ref> As a mark of the improving image of the town as place to live, the borough entered the top 50 best places to live in the 2011 Halifax survey at number 47.<ref name="HalifaxSurvey">{{cite web | year = 2011 |
url = http://www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/media/pdfs/halifax/2011/241211Halifax_Quality_of_Life_Survey.pdf| title = Halifax Quality of Life Rankings = | publisher = Halifax}}</ref>


=== Physical geography and geology ===
] shopping centre]]
Basingstoke has no single boundary that encompasses all the areas contiguous to its development. The unparished area of the town represents its bulk, but several areas popularly considered part of the town are separate parishes, namely ], ], and parts of ].<ref>{{cite web
The central part of the shopping centre was rebuilt in 2002 and reopened as ]. This has bought a dramatic improvement to shoppers' opinions of the town centre, but it is unclear if it has softened the town's overall image.<ref name="centralbascommittee">{{cite web | year = 2007 |
|url=https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/content/page/57063/Parish%20boundaries%20map%202018%20revised%20May18.pdf
url = http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/CommitteeDocs/Committees/Central%20Basingstoke%20Vision%20Single%20Issue%20Panel/20070410/Minutes%20of%20the%20Meeting%20held%20on%2010%20April%202007.doc | title = Central Basingstoke Vision, Single Issue Panel Meeting No 5| publisher = Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council| accessdate =8 May 2007}}</ref>
|title=The Borough of Basingstoke and Deane Parish Boundaries
|website=Basingstoke and Deane council website
|access-date=2021-02-22
|archive-date=31 August 2021
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831050655/https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/content/page/57063/Parish%20boundaries%20map%202018%20revised%20May18.pdf
|url-status=live
}}</ref> The unparished area includes ] which was previously a separate village and parish,<ref>{{cite web | title = Victoria County History, Worting Parish| publisher = British History Online | url = http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=56798&strquery=worting| access-date = 26 August 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927234437/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=56798&strquery=worting| archive-date= 27 September 2007 |url-status = live}}</ref>
extending beyond Roman Road and Old Kempshott Lane, which might otherwise be considered the town's 'natural' western extremity.


Basingstoke is situated on a bed of ] ] with small areas of clayey and loamy soil, inset with combined ] patches. ] and ] ] and ] sediments line the bed of the river Loddon. A narrow line of tertiary ] run diagonally from the northwest to the southeast along a line from ] through Popley, ] and the north part of ]. To the north of this line, encompassing the areas of Chineham and Pyotts Hill, is ], which has in the past allowed excavation for high quality brick and tile manufacture.<ref>{{cite book | last = Stokes| first = Eric| title = Basingstoke – Expanding Town| publisher = The Worker's Educational Association| year = 1980 | page = 45}}</ref>
Further work to improve the image of the town continues with the latest Central Basingstoke Vision project coordinated by the Borough Council.<ref name="centralvision">{{cite web | year = 2004 | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6593147/drugs_jail_and_rr | title = The Libertines – Drugs, Jail and R&R| publisher = Rolling Stone.com| accessdate =14 May 2007|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071002062742/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6593147/drugs_jail_and_rr |archivedate = 2 October 2007|deadurl=yes}}</ref>


=== Divisions and suburbs ===
In the mid 1990s, numerous reports described sightings of the Beast of Basingstoke, a ] believed to be a lion or a puma, possibly two. Local legend suggests the animal was shot and killed, although no official news sources document any capture or killing of the beast.<ref name="It's Basingstoke ''not'' Boringstoke">{{cite web|url=http://www.basingstoke.me.uk/ |accessdate=29 October 2009| title = It's Basingstoke ''not'' Boringstoke }}</ref>
Basingstoke's expansion has absorbed much surrounding farmland and scattered housing, transforming it into ]s or local districts. Many of these new estates are designed as almost self-contained communities, such as Lychpit, Chineham, Popley, ], ], ], ], ], ], Black Dam, ] and ]. The ] acts as a buffer zone to the south of the town, and the ] constrains the western expansion, with a ] to the north and north-east. The villages of ], ], ] and ], although being very close to the town limits, are distinct parishes. Popley, Hatch Warren and ] saw rapid growth in housing in the mid to late 2000s.<ref>{{cite web | title = Report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services| publisher = Hampshire County Council | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/decisions/decisions-docs/070717-excsed-R0710180838.html| access-date = 26 August 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070930180613/http://www.hants.gov.uk/decisions/decisions-docs/070717-excsed-R0710180838.html| archive-date= 30 September 2007 |url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Report of the Director of Environment| publisher = Hampshire County Council | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/decisions/decisions-docs/031111-exemss-R1106153251.html| access-date = 26 August 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071001005829/http://www.hants.gov.uk/decisions/decisions-docs/031111-exemss-R1106153251.html| archive-date= 1 October 2007 |url-status = live}}</ref>


=== Demography ===
During the severe snow storms of December 2009, Basingstoke and the surrounding area was one of the worst hit regions in the UK, where an estimated 3000 motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles around the town and on the ring road during the evening rush hour of the 21st.<ref name="Snow">{{cite news |
The population of Basingstoke increased from around 2,500 in 1801 to over 52,000 in 1971; the most significant growth occurring during the latter half of the 20th century.<ref name="visionofbritian">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10135758&c_id=10001043&add=N | title = A Vision of Britain Through Time | publisher = Great Britain Historical GIS Project | access-date = 5 June 2007 | archive-date = 30 September 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930232025/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10135758&c_id=10001043&add=N | url-status = live }}</ref> The borough of Basingstoke was merged with other local districts in 1974 to form the borough of ], and census data from that point covers the whole borough.
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8425718.stm| title = Thousands trapped in cars overnight due to snow and ice|publisher=BBC News| accessdate =24 December 2009 | date=22 December 2009}}</ref>


Figures published for the ] for the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane give a population of 167,799 and a population density of 2.7 persons per hectare—only about half the national figure.<ref name="nationalstatistics">{{cite web | title = Neighbourhood Statistics | publisher = Statistics.gov.uk | url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=276977&c=basingstoke+and+deane&d=13&e=16&g=449607&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1 | access-date = 17 June 2007 | archive-date = 2 November 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071102100023/http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=276977&c=basingstoke+and+deane&d=13&e=16&g=449607&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1 | url-status = live }}</ref> The number of women slightly exceeded that of men, and a slight increase in the percentage of residents over 65 was also noted.<ref name="nationalstatistics1">{{cite web | title = Neighbourhood Statistics | publisher = Statistics.gov.uk | url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=276977&c=basingstoke+and+deane&d=13&e=16&g=449607&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=77 | access-date = 17 June 2007 | archive-date = 2 November 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071102100957/http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=276977&c=basingstoke+and+deane&d=13&e=16&g=449607&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=77 | url-status = live }}</ref> Among other findings in 2001 were that 74.33 per cent felt they were in good health, 50.98 per cent were economically active full-time employees (over 10 per cent higher than the national average) and 48.73 per cent were buying their property with a mortgage or loan (almost 10 per cent higher than the national average).<ref name="nationalstatistics"/>
== Demographics ==
Amongst the working population, 64.2 per cent travelled less than {{convert|10|km}} to work.<ref name="nationalstatistics2">{{cite web| title = Neighbourhood Statistics | publisher = Statistics.gov.uk | url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=276977&c=basingstoke+and+deane&d=13&e=16&g=449607&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=121 | access-date = 17 June 2007 | archive-date = 2 November 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071102100702/http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=276977&c=basingstoke+and+deane&d=13&e=16&g=449607&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=121 | url-status = live}}</ref> The biggest percentage of employees, 17.67 per cent, worked in real estate, renting and business activities.<ref name="nationalstatistics3">{{cite web | title = Neighbourhood Statistics | publisher = Statistics.gov.uk | url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=276977&c=basingstoke+and+deane&d=13&e=16&g=449607&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=119 | access-date = 17 June 2007 | archive-date = 2 November 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071102101132/http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=276977&c=basingstoke+and+deane&d=13&e=16&g=449607&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=119 | url-status = live }}</ref>
{| class="toc" border="1" style="float:left; border-collapse:collapse; margin-right:10pt;"
!Year!!Population<ref name="visionofbritian">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10135758&c_id=10001043&add=N | title = A Vision of Britain Through Time | publisher = Great Britain Historical GIS Project | accessdate =5 June 2007}}</ref>
|-
||1801||align=right|2,589
|-
||1841||align=right|4,066
|-
||1871||align=right|5,574
|-
||1891||align=right|7,960
|-
||1911||align=right|11,259
|-
||1921||align=right|12,415
|-
||1931||align=right|13,865
|-
||1951||align=right|16,978
|-
||1961||align=right|25,980
|-
||1971||align=right|52,608
|}


== Governance ==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-style:italic; font-size:90%; border:3px;"
Basingstoke is part of a two-tier local government structure and returns county councillors to ]. It is the third largest settlement in the ], but when the cities of Southampton and ] attained ] status in 1998, Basingstoke became the largest settlement in the ] administered by the county council.<ref>{{cite web| title = Hampshire County Council library service, Best Value Inspection 2001| publisher = Hampshire County Council| url = http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/Products/BVIR/AC0D8291-8C93-4141-9347-E1DB6121A44E/HampshireCC01.pdf| access-date = 26 August 2007| archive-date = 9 August 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080809140035/http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/Products/BVIR/AC0D8291-8C93-4141-9347-E1DB6121A44E/HampshireCC01.pdf| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Combined feasibility and building design project appraisal| publisher = Hampshire County Council | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/scrmxn/c20001.html| access-date = 26 August 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071001005701/http://www.hants.gov.uk/scrmxn/c20001.html |archive-date = 1 October 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref>
|-
!colspan="4"|'''Basingstoke & Deane Compared'''
|-
|''']'''||'''Basingstoke and Deane'''||''']'''||'''England'''
|-
|Total population||152,573||8,000,645||49,138,831
|-
|Population density||2.41||4.20||3.77
|-
|White British||96.6%||95.1%||90.9%
|-
|Asian||1.2%||2.3%||4.6%
|-
|Mixed race||1.0%||1.1%||1.3%
|-
|Christian||74.0%||72.8%||71.7%
|-
|No religion||17.0%||16.5%||14.6%
|-
|Good health||74.3%||71.5%||68.8%
|-
|Employed full time||51.0%||43.2%||40.8%
|-
|Owner Occupier with mortgage or loan||48.7%||41.9%||38.9%
|-
|Travelling less than {{convert|10|km}} to work||64.2%||63.0%||67.5%
|}


] is the lower-tier ] for the town, and has its offices in the town centre. ] take place in 3 out of every 4 years.
The borough of Basingstoke was merged with other local districts in 1974 to form the borough of ]. Since then most census data has been for the larger area: before 1974, census information was published for the town as a separate entity.


Under the ] scheme, the local council have twinned Basingstoke with ] in France,<ref name="Archant twinning">{{cite web|url=http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns |title=British towns twinned with French towns |access-date=11 July 2013 |work=Archant Community Media Ltd |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705094933/http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns |archive-date=5 July 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref> ] in Belgium, and ] in Germany.<ref>{{cite web|title=Twin Towns in Hampshire|url=http://www3.hants.gov.uk/localpages/twintown.htm|publisher=Hampshire County Council|access-date=13 June 2012|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130120441/http://www3.hants.gov.uk/localpages/twintown.htm|archive-date=30 November 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Figures published for the most recent ] for the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane, give a population of 152,573 and a population density of 2.41 persons per hectare.<ref name="nationalstatistics">{{cite web | title = Neighbourhood Statistics | publisher = Statistics.gov.uk | url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=276977&c=basingstoke+and+deane&d=13&e=16&g=449607&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1 | accessdate =17 June 2007 }}</ref> The number of women at 50.48% slightly exceeded that of men.<ref name="nationalstatistics1">{{cite web | title = Neighbourhood Statistics | publisher = Statistics.gov.uk | url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=276977&c=basingstoke+and+deane&d=13&e=16&g=449607&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=77| accessdate =17 June 2007 }}</ref>
96.56% of the population were ], 1.22% Asian or Asian British, 1.02% mixed race, 0.58% Black or Black British and 0.61% Chinese or other ethnic group. With regard to religion, 74.02% of the population were Christian, 16.98% had no religion and 7.22% did not respond. Other religions in total accounting for less than 2%. Amongst other findings were that 74.33% felt they were in good health, 50.98% were economically active full time employees (over 10% higher than the National Average) and 48.73% were buying their property with a mortgage or loan (almost 10% higher than the national average).<ref name="nationalstatistics" />
Amongst the working population, 64.2% travelled less than {{convert|10|km}} to work.<ref name="nationalstatistics2">{{cite web | title = Neighbourhood Statistics | publisher = Statistics.gov.uk | url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=276977&c=basingstoke+and+deane&d=13&e=16&g=449607&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=121| accessdate =17 June 2007 }}</ref> The biggest percentage of employees, 17.67% worked in real estate, renting and business activities.<ref name="nationalstatistics3">{{cite web | title = Neighbourhood Statistics | publisher = Statistics.gov.uk | url = http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=276977&c=basingstoke+and+deane&d=13&e=16&g=449607&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=119| accessdate =17 June 2007 }}</ref>


== Facilities == == Facilities ==
]]]
] from ] before the 2011 refurbishment]]
] from ] before the 2011 refurbishment]]
], a new shopping centre, opened in October 2002, adding a huge boost to the town centre,<ref name="proud">{{cite web | year = 2004 | url = http://archive.thisishampshire.net/2004/9/10/22938.html| title = The Place to be proud of!| publisher = Thisishampshire.net
The Top of Town is the historic heart of Basingstoke, housing the Willis Museum<ref>{{cite web | title = Willis Museum | publisher = Hampshire County Council | url = http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hampshire-museums/willis-museum | access-date = 26 August 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070818191157/http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hampshire-museums/willis-museum | archive-date = 18 August 2007 | url-status = dead }}</ref> in the former ] building (rebuilt 1832) as well as several locally run shops and the ].
| accessdate =9 May 2007 }} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> transforming the former The Walks Shopping Centre and the New Market Square. Aside from a wide range of shops, there is also a range of cafés and restaurants as well as a large multiple-screen ] cinema (formerly ] until their takeover in 2005).<ref>{{cite web | title = Completed acquisition by Vue Entertainment Holdings | publisher = Office of Fair Trading | url = http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/Mergers_home/decisions/2005/vue| accessdate =26 August 2007 }}</ref>


Basingstoke is home to two theatrical organisations: the Haymarket, which is situated in the former ], and ],<ref>{{cite web | title = The Anvil | publisher = Anvil Arts| url = http://www.anvilarts.org.uk/| access-date = 26 August 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070810125952/http://www.theanvil.org.uk/ |archive-date = 10 August 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref> which is near the railway station.
Central Basingstoke has two further shopping areas: ] and the Top of Town. The Malls area has declined since the opening of Festival Place and the closure of its ] department store, though it is still home to several major retailers. The leasehold was purchased in 2004 by the St Modwen development group in partnership with the Kuwait property investment company Salhia Real Estate, with provision for redevelopment<ref name="mallssold">{{cite web | year = 2004 | url = http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=3044488| title = St Modwen buys Basingstoke’s Malls with Key Kuwaiti partner| publisher = Property Week.com
| accessdate =9 May 2007 }}</ref> The redevelopment of The Malls which started in late 2010, will see the dated looking shopping centre given a major facelift. The existing canopies will be removed and a clear roof canopy will be installed, which will protect the centre from bad weather, but still allows natural light and air in. The whole shopping centre will be repaved and new street furniture will be installed. A new gateway entrance to The Malls will be created and this will give a more desirable first impression of the town when people arrive from the railway station. The redevelopment is due to be completed in the Summer of 2011 but has been delayed until September 2011. The Malls Transformation work has been carried out by ] using a variety of sub-contractors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/leisure/shopping/themalls.htm |title=The Malls Transformation |publisher=Basingstoke.gov.uk |accessdate=6 August 2011}}</ref>


The ] was founded and directed by Alderman George W. Willis, a local clocksmith, who served as Mayor of Basingstoke in 1923–24. Willis established the museum in 1931 with much public support, and built its holdings up into a major collection on local history, with a particularly extensive collection of prehistoric implements and of antique clocks and watches. His association with the expanding museum continued for forty years. The museum's central location today is where, once upon a time, ] and her sister used to go to dances, and a statue of Jane Austen was installed outside the museum in 2017, on the 200th anniversary of her death.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title=Jane Austen statue unveiled in Basingstoke |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-40642894 |work=BBC News |date=18 July 2017 |access-date=22 February 2021 |archive-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411203713/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-40642894 |url-status=live }}</ref> Although ostensibly set in Hertford, Austen's novel '']'', written in 1797, is thought to have been based on her view of Basingstoke society two centuries ago.
The Top of Town is the historic heart of Basingstoke, housing the town's ''Willis Museum''<ref>{{cite web | title = Willis Museum | publisher = Hampshire County Council | url = http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hampshire-museums/willis-museum| accessdate =26 August 2007 }}</ref> in the former ] building as well as several locally run shops, as well as the ], and the ].


The major shopping area is ], which opened in October 2002. Festival Place gave a huge boost to the town centre, transforming and replacing what was the former The Walks Shopping Centre and the New Market Square.<ref name="proud">{{cite web|year=2004 |url=http://archive.thisishampshire.net/2004/9/10/22938.html |title=The Place to be proud of! |publisher=Thisishampshire.net |access-date=9 May 2007 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011083327/http://archive.thisishampshire.net/2004/9/10/22938.html |archive-date=11 October 2007 }}</ref> Aside from a wide range of shops, there is also a range of cafés and restaurants as well as a large multiscreen ] cinema (formerly ] from Festival Place's opening until their takeover in 2005; the pre-existing Vue in the Leisure Park was sold to ]).<ref>{{cite web | title = Completed acquisition by Vue Entertainment Holdings | publisher = Office of Fair Trading | url = http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/Mergers_home/decisions/2005/vue | access-date = 26 August 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927204324/http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/Mergers_home/decisions/2005/vue | archive-date = 27 September 2007 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
The town's ] is split between the new Festival Square, and the traditional hostelries at the Top of Town, with a few local community ]s outside the central area. The town has four nightclubs, two in the town itself, one on the east side and one <span style="white-space:nowrap">{{convert|2|mi}}</span> out to the west.


The Malls is a shopping area linked by a gateway entrance to the rail station. It had declined since the opening of Festival Place and the closure of its ] department store. The leasehold was purchased in 2004 by the ] development group in partnership with the Kuwait property investment company Salhia Real Estate, with provision for redevelopment<ref name="mallssold">{{cite web| year = 2004| url = http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=3044488| title = St Modwen buys Basingstoke's Malls with Key Kuwaiti partner| publisher = Property Week.com| access-date = 9 May 2007| archive-date = 27 September 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927201540/http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=3044488| url-status = live}}</ref> The redevelopment of The Malls started in late 2010. A clear roof canopy was installed to protect the Malls from bad weather while still allowing natural light and air in. The Malls has been repaved and new street furniture installed. The redevelopment was completed in the last quarter of 2011. The redevelopment work was carried out by ] using a variety of subcontractors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/leisure/shopping/themalls.htm |title=The Malls Transformation |publisher=Basingstoke.gov.uk |access-date=6 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123055956/http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/leisure/shopping/themalls.htm |archive-date=23 January 2011 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
In Portchester Square is the Basingstoke Sports Centre<ref>{{cite web | title = Sports Centre | publisher = Basingstoke & District Sports Trust Limited| url = http://www.sportscentre.org.uk/home.html| accessdate =26 August 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071027132546/http://www.sportscentre.org.uk/home.html |archivedate = 27 October 2007|deadurl=yes}}</ref> which has a subterranean swimming pool, ], ] and steam room. Above ground there is a gym, aerobics studios, squash courts and main hall. There is also a playden for young children.


A large ] store is located near the station. It was built in November 2015 as part of the redevelopment of Basing View. A ] store which was part of the same redevelopment closed down in 2021.
Basingstoke is also home to multiple theatrical organisations; a modern concert hall, '']''.,<ref>{{cite web | title = The Anvil | publisher = Anvil Arts| url = http://www.theanvil.org.uk/| accessdate =26 August 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070810125952/http://www.theanvil.org.uk/ |archivedate = 10 August 2007|deadurl=yes}}</ref> the ''Haymarket Theatre'' in the former ] and ].


The town's nightlife is split between the new Festival Square, and the traditional hostelries at the Top of Town, with a few local community ]s outside the central area. The town has four nightclubs, two in the town itself, one on the east side and one <span style="white-space:nowrap">{{convert|2|mi}}</span> out to the west.
=== Sports and leisure ===
] in the background]]
Outside the town centre, there is a leisure park featuring the ''Aquadrome'' swimming pool, which opened in May 2002.<ref>{{cite web | title = Aquadrome opens its shores to swimmers| publisher = This is Hampshire.net| url = http://archive.thisishampshire.net/2002/5/29/64320.html| accessdate =18 December 2007 }} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The park also includes an ice rink, bowling alley, ] club and a ten screen ], as well as a restaurant and fast food outlets. The leisure park is also home to the ] which contains a network of streets and buildings based on the history of ].


The Basingstoke Sports Centre is located in Portchester Square. The sports centre has a subterranean swimming pool, ], ] and steam room. Above ground there is a gym, aerobics studios, squash courts and main hall. There is also an Ofsted-registered crèche.<ref>{{cite web | title = Sports Centre | publisher = Basingstoke & District Sports Trust Limited| url = http://www.sportscentre.org.uk/home.html| access-date = 26 August 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071027132546/http://www.sportscentre.org.uk/home.html |archive-date = 27 October 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref>
Basingstoke has its own ] club, ] who play in the ]. The ] play in Rugby Football Union's Powergen South West League 1, and the ] ] team play in the ] until the end of 2008/2009 season. From the 2009/2010 season, the team will play in the ]. Basingstoke also has a swimming team, known as the and an American Flag Football Team known as the . The diversity of sporting activity in the area is also illustrated by organisations such as Basingstoke Demons Floorball Club, Basingstoke Bulls Korfball Club and ]. The home ground of Basingstoke & North Hants Cricket Club, Mays Bounty was until 2000 used once a season by ]. Players such as ] and ] as well as Ashes winners ], ] and ] have graced the ground.<ref>{{cite web | title = Hampshire v Yorkshire, CGU National League, May’s Bounty, Basingstoke 13 June 1999 | publisher = cricket-online.org| url = http://www.cricket-online.org/scorecard_la.php?la=11974| accessdate =27 August 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Hampshire v Yorkshire, County Championship, May’s Bounty, Basingstoke 2–4 June 1992 | publisher = cricket-online.org| url = http://www.cricket-online.org/scorecard_fc.php?fc=39698| accessdate =27 August 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Hampshire v Durham, County Championship, May’s Bounty, Basingstoke 14–16 June 2000 |publisher = ESPNcricinfo | url = http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/2000/ENG_LOCAL/CC1/SCORECARDS/14-18JUN2000/HANTS_DURHAM_CC1_14-17JUN2000.html| accessdate =27 August 2007 }}</ref> It was also where celebrated commentator and playwright ] watched his first match.<ref>{{cite book | last = Arlott| first =John| title = Basingstoke Boy
| publisher = Willow Books, Harper Collins | year = 1990 | page = 26}}</ref> In August 2008 County Cricket returned to May’s Bounty with ] defeating eventual County Champions ].<ref> ''basingstokegazette.co.uk''</ref> As of 2011, Basingstoke has a ] league and team, the Basingstoke Bullets. Due to extreme difficulty finding a suitable venue, the team practice in Whitchurch.


=== Sport and leisure ===
Plans have recently been announced for a new multi-million pound sports facility at Down Grange, which would be suitable for many sports. Proposals include a stadium for Basingstoke Town FC and Basingstoke RFC which would be up to the standard of the ], a new 8 lane athletics track and hockey pitch, as well as a gym, swimming pool, hotel and conference facilities.
], with ] in the background]]


Outside the town centre there is a leisure park featuring the Aquadrome swimming pool, which opened in May 2002.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aquadrome opens its shores to swimmers |publisher=This is Hampshire.net |url=http://archive.thisishampshire.net/2002/5/29/64320.html |access-date=18 December 2007 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126183917/http://archive.thisishampshire.net/2002/5/29/64320.html |archive-date=26 January 2009 }}</ref> Also located at the leisure park are an ice rink, a bowling alley, an indoor sky-diving centre with ski and surf machines, a ] club and a ten-screen ] (formerly Vue prior to the takeover of the Ster Century cinema in Festival Place, and before that, Warner-Village) ], as well as a restaurant and fast food outlets. The leisure park is home to the ], a living history museum which contains a network of streets and buildings based on the history of ].
=== Musical groups ===
Basingstoke has a wide diversity for musical groups. Ranging from ]s to ]s. {{fact|date=June 2012}}


Basingstoke has a ] club, ], the ] and the ] ] team. Basingstoke also has a swimming team,<ref>{{cite web|title=Basingstoke Bluefins|url=http://swimbluefins.org/|publisher=Swimblue|access-date=15 December 2014|archive-date=16 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216023948/http://www.swimbluefins.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> known as the Basingstoke Bluefins and an American Flag Football Team known as the Basingstoke Zombie Horde.<ref>{{cite web|title=Basingstoke Zombie Horde|url=http://www.rollhorde.co.uk|website=Rollhorde|access-date=15 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815165005/http://rollhorde.co.uk/|archive-date=15 August 2013|url-status = dead}}</ref> Further sporting organisations in the area include Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletic Club,<ref>{{cite web|title=BMHAC|url=https://www.bmhac.co.uk/}}</ref> Basingstoke Demons Floorball Club, Basingstoke Volleyball Club, Basingstoke Bulls Korfball Club and ]. The home ground of Basingstoke & North Hants Cricket Club, Mays Bounty, was until 2000 used once a season by ].<ref>{{cite web| title = Hampshire v Yorkshire, CGU National League, May's Bounty, Basingstoke 13 June 1999| publisher = cricket-online.org| url = http://www.cricket-online.org/scorecard_la.php?la=11974| access-date = 27 August 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231827/http://www.cricket-online.org/scorecard_la.php?la=11974| archive-date = 26 September 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Hampshire v Yorkshire, County Championship, May's Bounty, Basingstoke 2–4 June 1992| publisher = cricket-online.org| url = http://www.cricket-online.org/scorecard_fc.php?fc=39698| access-date = 27 August 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231820/http://www.cricket-online.org/scorecard_fc.php?fc=39698| archive-date = 26 September 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Hampshire v Durham, County Championship, May's Bounty, Basingstoke 14–16 June 2000| publisher = ESPNcricinfo| url = http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/2000/ENG_LOCAL/CC1/SCORECARDS/14-18JUN2000/HANTS_DURHAM_CC1_14-17JUN2000.html| access-date = 27 August 2007| archive-date = 23 December 2002| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20021223120816/http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/2000/ENG_LOCAL/CC1/SCORECARDS/14-18JUN2000/HANTS_DURHAM_CC1_14-17JUN2000.html| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Arlott| first =John| title = Basingstoke Boy | publisher = Willow Books, Harper Collins | year = 1990 | page = 26}}</ref> As of 2011, Basingstoke has a ] league and team, the Basingstoke Bullets. Due to difficulty finding a suitable venue, the team practice in nearby ]. Basingstoke is also the home of Rising Phoenix Cheer, a successful competitive Allstar ] programme for athletes from age 5 upwards, training at Aldworth school.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}}
The Basingstoke Concert Band is a traditional wind band which has now been in existence for more than 35 years. The band was started by Lawrie Shaw when Brighton Hill Community School opened in Basingstoke in 1975 where he was the first headteacher. Lawrie formed the band as an evening class for amateur wind players and it was then known as the Brighton Hill Centre Band.

=== Musical groups ===
Basingstoke has a wide diversity for musical groups ranging from ]s to ]s.<ref name="The Anvil Associates">{{cite web|title=Artistic Associates, The Anvil|url=http://www.anvilarts.org.uk/about-us/artistic-associates|website=Anvil Arts|access-date=15 June 2014|archive-date=9 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009061103/http://www.anvilarts.org.uk/about-us/artistic-associates|url-status=live}}</ref> The Basingstoke Concert Band is a traditional wind band which has now been in existence for more than 35 years.<ref name="The Anvil Associates"/> The band was started in 1977 by Lawrie Shaw when Brighton Hill Community School opened, where he was the first headteacher. Shaw formed the band as an evening class for amateur wind players and it was then known as the Brighton Hill Centre Band.<ref name="Basingstoke Concert Band">{{cite web|title=Basingstoke Concert Band|url=http://www.bcband.org.uk/|website=Bcband|publisher=Basingstoke Concert Band|access-date=15 June 2014|archive-date=16 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516193814/http://bcband.org.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref>


=== Media === === Media ===
There are two local newspapers – the '']'', and the '']''. The town is also covered by the broadsheet newspaper '']''.<ref name="Basingstoke Relay Station"/>
Basingstoke is served by regional radio stations ] serving North Hampshire and parts of ] and ] and ], broadcast from ] and London also provides regional coverage in the area. BBC Berkshire is also available in the town. The town also has coverage from ]; the ], Independent National and Now Reading ] can be received in the town,<ref>{{cite web | title = DAB Digital Radio Coverage Maps | publisher = MDS975.co.uk| url = http://www.arar93.dsl.pipex.com/mds975/txmaps/DABmaps01.html| accessdate =27 August 2007 }}</ref> and the outskirts can receive London and South Hampshire stations as well.<ref>{{cite web | title = Digital Radio Now, Station Finder | publisher = digitalradionow.com| url = http://www.digitalradionow.com/statf.php?pcode=rg21+7qd#results| accessdate =27 August 2007 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070927181902/http://www.digitalradionow.com/statf.php?pcode=rg21+7qd#results |archivedate = 27 September 2007|deadurl=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Radio stations in the South Midlands and Thames Valley | publisher = radio-now.co.uk| url = http://www.radio-now.co.uk/smids.htm| accessdate =27 August 2007 }}</ref>


Local TV coverage is provided by ] and ], with ] and ] also received in the town.
In 2008, Radio Basingstoke was launched offering a wide choice of music programmes available on-line at www.radiobasingstoke.com, wi-fi radios, Sony PlayStations and mobile phones.


Basingstoke is served by two regional radio stations. ], serving North Hampshire and parts of ] and ], and ], previously broadcast from ]. ] is available in the town. The town has coverage from ]; the ], Independent National and Now Reading ] can be received in the town,<ref>{{cite web | title = DAB Digital Radio Coverage Maps | publisher = MDS975.co.uk| url = http://www.arar93.dsl.pipex.com/mds975/txmaps/DABmaps01.html| access-date = 27 August 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070907115923/http://www.arar93.dsl.pipex.com/mds975/txmaps/DABmaps01.html| archive-date= 7 September 2007 |url-status = live}}</ref> and the outskirts can receive London and South Hampshire stations as well.<ref>{{cite web | title = Digital Radio Now, Station Finder | publisher = digitalradionow.com| url = http://www.digitalradionow.com/statf.php?pcode=rg21+7qd#results| access-date = 27 August 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927181902/http://www.digitalradionow.com/statf.php?pcode=rg21+7qd#results |archive-date = 27 September 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Radio stations in the South Midlands and Thames Valley| publisher = radio-now.co.uk| url = http://www.radio-now.co.uk/smids.htm| access-date = 27 August 2007| archive-date = 18 August 2007| archive-url = https://archive.today/20070818192911/http://www.radio-now.co.uk/smids.htm| url-status = live}}</ref> The BBC national stations and DAB coverage is enhanced by a small relay just south of the town centre.<ref name="Basingstoke Relay Station">{{cite web | title= Basingstoke Relay Station | publisher= MB21 | url= http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/basingstoke.php | access-date= 14 November 2013 | archive-date= 18 October 2013 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131018012441/http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/basingstoke.php | url-status= live }}</ref>
There are three local newspapers – the ] which also publishes the Wednesday Extra, and the ]. The town is also covered by the ].

The local radio Station is HHCR - Basingstoke's Community Radio, an internet-based broadcaster opened on 3 June 2019 by Cllr Diane Taylor Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Observer|first=Basingstoke|title=New Community Radio Station for Basingstoke|url=https://www.basingstokeobserver.co.uk/new-community-radio-station-for-basingstoke|access-date=2021-01-11|website=Basingstoke Observer|language=en-GB}}</ref>


== Education == == Education ==
{{See also|List of schools in Basingstoke and Deane}} {{See also|List of schools in Basingstoke and Deane}}
Education in Basingstoke is co-ordinated by ]. Each neighbourhood in the town has at least one Primary school, while Secondary schools are distributed around the town on larger campuses.


The Holy Ghost School (subsequently ]) was a state funded ] operating in Basingstoke for four centuries, from 1556 until 1970, producing nationally recognised alumni such as Revd. ] (1720–1793), a pioneer naturalist, and the famed cricket commentator, ] (1914–1991).
Basingstoke has two large ] colleges: a ], ] (QMC) and ] (BCoT).


In modern times education in Basingstoke has been co-ordinated by ]. Each neighbourhood in the town has at least one primary school, while secondary schools are distributed around the town on larger campuses. Basingstoke has two large ] colleges: a ], ] (QMC) and ] (BCoT). The ] had a campus in Basingstoke (Chute House Campus) which closed in July 2011; it had offered full-time and part-time university courses in subjects including childhood studies, various management pathways, community development and creative industries. ]'s health and social care students can work on placement at the ].<ref name="Bournemouth University HSC">{{cite web |url=http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/library/using-the-library/basingstoke-hospital-library.html |title=Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital Healthcare Library |access-date=5 December 2012 |archive-date=10 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510004948/http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/library/using-the-library/basingstoke-hospital-library.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The hospital only caters for midwifery students.<ref name="Midwife Students from Bournemouth Uni">{{cite web |url=http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/accommodation/contacts_and_rents_for_hospital_accommodation.html |title=Contacts & Rents for Hospital Accommodation |access-date=5 December 2012 |archive-date=28 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328215110/http://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/accommodation/contacts_and_rents_for_hospital_accommodation.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Universities ===
The ] had a Campus in Basingstoke which closed in July 2011. It had offered full-time and part-time university courses in subjects including childhood studies, various management pathways, community development and creative industries.


== Transport == == Transport ==
=== Road ===
] car park]]
Basingstoke is at Junction 6 and Junction 7 of the ], which skirts the town's southern edge, linking the town to London and to Southampton and the south-west. The central area of the town is encircled by a ] constructed in the 1960s named The Ringway and bisected from east to west by the A3010, Churchill Way. Major roads radiate from the Ringway like spokes from a hub. The ] runs north east to Reading and the ] and south west to Winchester. The ] runs east to Hook and west to Salisbury. The A303 begins a few miles south west of Basingstoke to head west towards ] and the West Country, sharing the first few miles with the A30. The A339 runs south east to Alton and north west to Newbury. Basingstoke has a reputation for having a large density of roundabouts.


], as seen from Alençon Link in 2005|217x217px]]
=== Rail ===
], as seen from Alençon Link in 2005]]
The ] ] runs east and west through the centre of the town and ] linking it to the ] to ] and the ], ] (the fastest train Basingstoke to London takes 44 minutes), Winchester, Southampton and Bournemouth, and via the ] and ] to Portsmouth and Brighton. The ] to Salisbury and Exeter diverges at ], to the west. The Basingstoke Branch<ref name="basbranchmap">{{cite web | last = Crawford| first = Ewan| year = 2002 | url = http://www.railscot.co.uk/Basingstoke_Branch/frame.htm | title = Basingstoke Branch| publisher = Ewan Crawford| accessdate =26 August 2007}}</ref> runs north-east to ], providing services to {{stnlnk|Oxford}}, Birmingham, the north of England and Scotland. The town was also the terminus of the defunct ]. Current rail services from Basingstoke are operated by ], ] and ].


=== Bus === ===Road===
Basingstoke is situated close to junctions 6, 7 and 8 of the ], which skirts the town's south-eastern edge, linking the town to London, and to Southampton and the south-west. The central area of the town is encircled by The Ringway, a ] constructed in the 1960s, and is bisected east to west by the A3010 (Churchill Way). The ] runs north-east to Reading and the ], and south-west to Winchester.<ref name="pophamairfield">{{cite web| year = 2007| url = http://www.popham-airfield.co.uk/Index.htm| title = Popham Airfield home page| publisher = Chris Thompson, Popham Airfield| access-date = 14 June 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070629013807/http://www.popham-airfield.co.uk/Index.htm| archive-date = 29 June 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref> The ] runs east to Hook and west to Salisbury. The A303 to ] and the West Country begins a few miles south-west of Basingstoke, sharing the first few miles with the A30. On the M3, there is a flyover, which passes over the slip road to A303, near Junction 8. The A339 runs south-east to Alton and north-west to Newbury.
]
Most ] in the town operate from Basingstoke Bus Station. The majority are provided by the ] through their ] sub-division. ] also operate over individual routes and ] operate a service linking villages between Basingstoke and Alton.
A ] service provided by ]<ref name="Courtney">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.courtneycoaches.com | title = Courtney Coaches Limited| publisher = Courtney Coaches Limited | accessdate =14 June 2007}}</ref> links Basingstoke leisure park with Basing View, via Basingstoke Railway Station. This service uses distinctive purple and white ] busses, and provides a daytime service at roughly 10-minute intervals throughout the week. The buses on this service being provided by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Currently (2010), a complimentary peak time service is also provided by Courtney Coaches Limited<ref name="MEPC">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.mepc.co.uk/chinehampark/Travel/Bybus.aspx | title = MEPC Chineham Park| publisher = MEPC| accessdate =14 June 2007}}</ref> between Chineham Business Park and the railway station. ] offers direct coach services to London and Southampton from the bus station.


=== Cycle === ===Railway===
The ] runs east and west through the centre of the town and ], linking Basingstoke to ], Winchester, Southampton, Bournemouth and Weymouth. The ] links Basingstoke to ] and to Exeter. The ] runs north-east to ] and is part of an important through route for longer distance services to Birmingham and the North.
Separate provision for cyclists from other road traffic was not part of the remit of the 1960s town redevelopment, and until recently provision for cyclists was very poor.<ref name="transportprov">{{cite web | year = 1996 | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/scrmxn/c19733.html | title = Public attitudes on Transport Issues| publisher = Hampshire County Council| accessdate =14 June 2007|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070930201123/http://www.hants.gov.uk/scrmxn/c19733.html |archivedate = 30 September 2007|deadurl=yes}}</ref> A Basingstoke Area Cycling Strategy was developed in 1999<ref name="cyclestrat">{{cite web | year = 2000 | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/scrmxn/c29946.html| title = Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport| publisher = Hampshire County Council| accessdate =14 June 2007|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070930211020/http://www.hants.gov.uk/scrmxn/c29946.html |archivedate = 30 September 2007|deadurl=yes}}</ref> and subsequently an extensive cycle network has been developed<ref name="cyclemap">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/25DA32B0-8691-4D42-BCBF-C70B7AE51637/0/cycle_map.pdf | title = Basingstoke Cycle Network Map| format = PDF | publisher = Hampshire County Council| accessdate =14 June 2007}}</ref> mainly utilising on-road routes or off-road routes that run parallel with and directly alongside roads. Basingstoke was linked to Reading on the ] route 23 in May 2003 and the route was extended south to Alton and Alresford in April 2006.


The town was the terminus of the defunct ].
=== Air ===
The closest ] to Basingstoke is ], about <span style="white-space:nowrap">{{convert|25|mi}}</span> away. ] (<span style="white-space:nowrap">{{convert|9|mi}}</span>) and ] (<span style="white-space:nowrap">{{convert|11|mi}}</span>) have ] Ordinary Licences, allowing for the public transport of passengers. Other ] airfields in the area for which Prior Permission is Required (PPR) are at ]<ref name="pophamairfield">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.popham-airfield.co.uk/Index.htm | title = Popham Airfield home page| publisher = Chris Thompson, Popham Airfield| accessdate =14 June 2007}}</ref> (<span style="white-space:nowrap">{{convert|7|mi}}</span>), ] (<span style="white-space:nowrap">{{convert|5|mi}}</span>), ]<ref name="brimpton">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.brimpton-airfield.co.uk/| title = Brimpton Airfield| publisher = Brimpton Flying Club| accessdate =14 June 2007}}</ref> and Hook. Lasham Airfield is particularly well known for its ] club.


Current rail services from Basingstoke are operated by ], ] and ]. The Reading-Basingstoke Line runs parallel to Chineham Business Park, Vyne Park, the suburb of Chineham and Taylors Farm.
=== Canal ===
There are now no navigable waterways within the immediate area, although there used to be a canal to the centre of Basingstoke, but this fell into disuse and the last five miles of the canal route have now been lost. This section of the canal fell into disuse due to a lack of boat traffic, general neglect and a lack of water levels.
There were no locks on this part of the canal and so the route generally followed the contours of the land with occasional cuttings, tunnels and embankments. The route can be partly determined by noting that the canal falls between the 75m and 80m contours on Ordnance Survey maps. {{citation needed|date=April 2012}}


===Bus===
The ] started at a canal basin, roughly where the cinema in Festival Place is located. From there the canal ran alongside the ] following the line of Eastrop Way. The old canal route passes under the perimeter ring road and then follows a long loop partly on an embankment to pass over small streams and water meadows towards ], where the route goes around the now ruined palace of ] and then through and around the eastern edge of Old Basing. It followed another loop to go over small streams near the Hatch public house (a lot of this section was built over when constructing the M3) and headed across fields on an embankment towards ]. The canal then headed towards a small tunnel under the Andwell Drove and then across another field partly on an embankment towards Up Nately. The section of the canal from Up Nately to the western entrance of the ] still exists and is a nature reserve; there is water in the canal and the canal towpath can be walked. A permissive footpath at the western entrance to the tunnel allows walkers to access public footpaths to get to the eastern entrance of the tunnel. The limit of navigation is about 500m east of the Greywell Tunnel. The renovated sections of the canal can then be navigated east towards ] where it joins the ], which itself can be navigated to the ] at ].
]


Most bus services in the town operate from Basingstoke bus station. The majority are provided by the ] through their ] sub-division.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/RouteMaps/South/Basingstoke%20Network%20Map%20Sept%202016.pdf |title=Stagecoach Basingstoke network map |access-date=14 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116192830/https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/RouteMaps/South/Basingstoke%20Network%20Map%20Sept%202016.pdf |archive-date=16 January 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Basingstoke Community Transport and Communities First Wessex run some smaller routes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bct.me.uk/ |title=Basingstoke Community Transport |access-date=14 January 2017 |archive-date=16 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116154915/http://www.bct.me.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cfirst.org.uk/transport/individuals/call-and-go-and-dial-a-ride/dial-a-ride-basingstoke/ |title=Dial A Ride Basingstoke |access-date=14 January 2017 |archive-date=16 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116161234/https://www.cfirst.org.uk/transport/individuals/call-and-go-and-dial-a-ride/dial-a-ride-basingstoke/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Basingstoke Canal Heritage Footpath roughly follows the canal route for <span style="white-space:nowrap">{{convert|2|mi}}</span> from ] to ].


Plans to reconnect the town with the surviving section of the Canal have been mooted several times in the past and this remains a long term aim of the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society.<ref name="lastfive miles">{{cite web | year = 2004 | url = http://www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk/last5m.htm| title = Basingstoke Canal – The last 5 miles| publisher = Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society| accessdate =14 June 2007|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070617130424/http://www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk/last5m.htm |archivedate = 17 June 2007|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Another possible idea also considered was to connect the remaining canal to the Kennet and Avon navigation near Reading. A peak-time service is provided by ] between Chineham Business Park and the railway station.<ref name="Courtney">{{cite web |year=2017 |url=http://www.courtneybuses.com/corporate-contracts.html |title=Corporate Contracts |access-date=13 January 2017 |archive-date=16 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116160133/http://www.courtneybuses.com/corporate-contracts.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ] offers direct coach services to London and Southampton from the bus station.


===Cycling===
== Religious sites ==
Separating cyclists from other road traffic was not part of the remit of the 1960s town redevelopment and, in 1996, the perception of provision for cyclists was very poor.<ref name="transportprov">{{cite web | year = 1996 | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/scrmxn/c19733.html | title = Public attitudes on Transport Issues| publisher = Hampshire County Council| access-date = 14 June 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201123/http://www.hants.gov.uk/scrmxn/c19733.html |archive-date = 30 September 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref> Following the Basingstoke Area Cycling Strategy in 1999<ref name="cyclestrat">{{cite web | year = 2000 | url = http://www.hants.gov.uk/scrmxn/c29946.html| title = Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport| publisher = Hampshire County Council| access-date = 14 June 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930211020/http://www.hants.gov.uk/scrmxn/c29946.html |archive-date = 30 September 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref> an extensive cycle network was developed,<ref name="cyclemap">{{cite web | year = 2007 | url = http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/25DA32B0-8691-4D42-BCBF-C70B7AE51637/0/cycle_map.pdf | title = Basingstoke Cycle Network Map | publisher = Hampshire County Council | access-date = 14 June 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070705140828/http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/25DA32B0-8691-4D42-BCBF-C70B7AE51637/0/cycle_map.pdf | archive-date = 5 July 2007 |url-status = dead}}</ref> mainly utilising on-road routes or off-road routes that run parallel with and directly alongside roads. Basingstoke was linked to Reading on the ] route 23 in May 2003; the route was extended south to Alton and Alresford in April 2006.
The ] church of ] is west of ] and dates from 1464.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.basingstoketeamparish.org.uk/stm/buildings/ |title=St Michael's Church, Basingstoke |date=14 January 2009 |accessdate=8 June 2011}}</ref> The nave and isles were added 50 years later by ], ]. The Memorial Chapel at the north east corner of the church was completed in 1921.


== Nearest places == === Basingstoke Canal ===
The ] started at a canal basin, roughly where the cinema in Festival Place is located. From there the canal ran alongside the ] following the line of Eastrop Way. The old canal route passes under the perimeter ring road and then follows a long loop partly on an embankment to pass over small streams and water meadows towards ], where the route goes around the ruins of ] and then through and around the eastern edge of Old Basing. It followed another loop to go over small streams near the Hatch public house (a lot of this section was built over when constructing the M3) and headed across fields on an embankment towards ]. The section of the canal from ] to the western entrance of the ] still exists and is a nature reserve; there is water in the canal and the canal towpath can be walked. A permissive footpath at the western entrance to the tunnel allows walkers to access public footpaths to get to the eastern entrance of the tunnel. The limit of navigation is about 500m east of the Greywell Tunnel. The renovated sections of the canal can then be navigated east towards ] where it joins the ], which itself can be navigated to the River ] at ].


Aims to reconnect Basingstoke with the surviving sections of the Basingstoke Canal have been beset with difficulties,<ref name="lastfive miles">{{cite web |url=https://basingstoke-canal.org.uk/about/the-canal/the-last-5-miles/ |title=Last 5 Miles |publisher=The Basingstoke Canal Society |access-date=22 February 2021 |archive-date=24 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124084756/https://basingstoke-canal.org.uk/about/the-canal/the-last-5-miles/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and actual restoration of a canal link is impossible. The Basingstoke Canal Society aspire to re-establish the route of the lost section of the canal as closely as possible with a footpath and cycleway.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://basingstoke-canal.org.uk/about/the-canal/ |title=The Canal - History, restoration and today |publisher=The Basingstoke Canal Society |access-date=22 February 2021 |archive-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117100756/https://basingstoke-canal.org.uk/about/the-canal/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Geographic Location
|title = '''Destinations from Basingstoke'''
|Northwest = ], ]
|North = ''']''', ]
|Northeast = '''London''', ], ]
|West = ], ''']'''
|Centre = Basingstoke
|East = ], ], ], ], ''']'''
|Southwest = ''']''', ]
|South = ''']''', ], ''']'''
|Southeast = ], ]
}}


== Cultural references == == Religious sites ==
* The ] church of ] is located west of ]. The chancel dates from 1464,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.basingstoketeamparish.org.uk/stm/buildings/ |title=St Michael's Church, Basingstoke |date=14 January 2009 |access-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022170602/http://www.basingstoketeamparish.org.uk/stm/buildings/ |archive-date=22 October 2011 |url-status = dead}}</ref> and the south chapel may be older.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title = Buildings of Hampshire|last = Pevsner|first = Nikolaus|publisher = Penguin|year = 1967|location = london|pages = 90}}</ref> The nave and aisles were added fifty years later by ], ]. The Memorial Chapel at the north-east corner of the church was completed in 1921.
In the 1887 ] ] '']'', the word "Basingstoke" is used as a code word by Sir Despard Murgatroyd to soothe his new wife, Mad Margaret, when she seems in danger of relapsing into madness. Margaret suggests this course of action herself:<blockquote>Well, then, when I am lying awake at night, and the pale moonlight streams through the latticed casement, strange fancies crowd upon my poor mad brain, and I sometimes think that if we could hit upon some word for you to use whenever I am about to relapse—some word that teems with hidden meaning—like "Basingstoke"—it might recall me to my saner self.
* The ruined Chapel of the Holy Ghost, north of the railway station, has not been a place of worship for four centuries, an effect of the Reformation. It was built by the first Lord Sandys, beginning in 1524, when King Henry VIII issued a charter of incorporation. The west tower of a 13th-century building also survives.<ref name=":0"/> It is surrounded by an ancient (as well as a more modern) cemetery; ] himself lies buried in the chapel with his wife.
</blockquote>
* In 1902, the ] ] was built by ], named after the old chapel. It is a Grade II listed building.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1242913 |desc=Church of the Holy Ghost |accessdate= 27 May 2022}}</ref>
* The Church of St Mary, Eastrop is an old church, enlarged in 1912.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title = Buildings of Hampshire|last = Pevsner|first = Nikolaus|publisher = Penguin|year = 1967|location = London|pages = 91}}</ref>
* All Saints' Church was built in 1915, designed by Temple Moore.<ref name=":1"/>
* St Peter's Church was built in 1964-5, designed by Ronald Sims and is in a housing estate built in the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Buildings of Hampshire|last = Pevsner|first = Nikolaus|publisher = Penguin|year = 1967|location = London|pages = 93}}</ref>
* In 2014, a group named Basingstoke Community Churches covered an area of six churches in the town.<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Churches|url=http://www.bccnet.org.uk/our-churches|website=Basingstoke Community Churches|publisher=BCC|access-date=15 December 2014|archive-date=23 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223171552/http://www.bccnet.org.uk/our-churches|url-status=live}}</ref> There are also an Assemblies of God church called Wessex Christian Fellowship, two Roman Catholic churches, St. Bede's and St. Joseph's, and churches of other denominations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wessex Christian Fellowship|url=http://www.wessexchristianfellowship.com|access-date=30 October 2021|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902004816/https://www.wessexchristianfellowship.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* In 2019, Gateway Church Basingstoke began a partnership with ] (CAP) to launch a Debt Centre in Basingstoke.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gatewaylife.co.uk/care/ |title=CARE. {{!}} Gateway Church Basingstoke<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=21 June 2019 |archive-date=26 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726145528/http://www.gatewaylife.co.uk/care/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


== International relations ==
In 1895, ] referred to Basingstoke as "Stoke Barehills" in '']'' – Part Fifth, Chapter 5
Basingstoke is ] with:
:"There is in Upper ] an old town of nine or ten thousand souls; the town may be called Stoke-Barehills. It stands with its gaunt, unattractive, ancient church, and its new red brick suburb".
* ], ], Belgium
:"The most familiar object in Stoke-Barehills nowadays is its cemetery, standing among some picturesque mediaeval ruins beside the railway; the modern chapels, modern tombs, and modern shrubs having a look of intrusiveness amid the crumbling and ivy-covered decay of the ancient walls."
* ], ], France
* ], ], Germany


== Cultural associations ==
In ]' 1968 biography of The Beatles, Paul McCartney offers John Lennon "some amazing cake from Basingstoke."<ref>The Beatles, Hunter Davies, 1968</ref>
"Basingstoke" is a code word in ]'s 1887 comic opera '']'', used by the "bad baronet" after he reforms, to remind his bride "Mad Margaret" of their plan to live lives of boring respectability.<ref>One writer stated that Gilbert's reference was inspired by an incident, the year before ''Ruddigore'' premiered, where the governing party spent much of a summer in a manor near a Basingstoke mental hospital to avoid both the stench of a recent sewer blockage in London and the anger of the people with whom they were unpopular.{{cite journal| last=Bosdêt| first=Mary| title=Whence Basingstoke!?| journal=GASBAG| date=November–December 1992| volume=XXIV| issue=185| page=7| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e14JAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA66| access-date=29 August 2014| archive-date=26 July 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726161351/https://books.google.com/books?id=e14JAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA66| url-status=live}}</ref> In 1895, ] referred to Basingstoke as "Stoke Barehills" in '']''.


Basingstoke's ] was one of two hospitals used for the filming of ]'s hit comedy '']''.<ref>{{cite news | last = Raphael | first = Amy | title = Green Wing's midwife and surgeon | work = The Daily Telegraph | date = 29 March 2006 | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/03/29/btvpile29.xml&sSheet=/arts/2006/03/29/ixartleft.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071103113526/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=%2Farts%2F2006%2F03%2F29%2Fbtvpile29.xml&sSheet=%2Farts%2F2006%2F03%2F29%2Fixartleft.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 3 November 2007 | access-date = 26 December 2006 | location = London }}</ref> ]'s film, '']'' was partly shot in the town in 1944 and in 1974 the ] produced a documentary here called ''Basingstoke – Runcorn: British New Towns''. The former Park Prewett Mental Hospital was the setting for the novel ''Poison in the Shade'' (1953), by Eric Benfield, a local author and sculptor who worked as an art therapist at that hospital.
In 1974 Basingstoke is mentioned in a skit from Episode 42 of '']'' as the site of a World War I battle. When the General (sitting as president of a court martial) asks "Basingstoke, Hampshire?" he is told no, the battle occurred in Basingstoke, ] (which can only be located on a map produced by Cole Porter).


In 1978, ], co-founder of ] rock band, was born in Basingstoke and responded to a request for a description of the town with the question: "Have you seen '']''?".<ref name="rollingstone">{{cite web | last = Binelli| first = Mark| year = 2004 | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6593147/drugs_jail_and_rr | title = The Libertines – Drugs, Jail and R&R| publisher = Rolling Stone.com| accessdate =14 May 2007|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071002062742/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6593147/drugs_jail_and_rr |archivedate = 2 October 2007|deadurl=yes}}</ref> ]'s 1993 play, '']'', is set in Basingstoke. It was later adapted into the 1998 film, '']'', which was filmed at various locations around Basingstoke.<ref name="getreal">{{cite web| last = Shaw| first = Pete| year = 2007| url = http://www.bensilverstone.net/bslocations.asp| title = Get Real, Basingstoke filming locations| publisher = bensilverstone.net| access-date = 26 August 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070808212308/http://bensilverstone.net/bslocations.asp| archive-date = 8 August 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref>


== Notable people ==
In 1979, '']'' by ] includes a reference to the town. Just after Ford Prefect has explained to Arthur Dent that they hitched a lift on a spaceship Arthur replies: "Are you trying to tell me that we just stuck out our thumbs and some green bug-eyed monster stuck his head out and said, Hi fellas, hop right in. I can take you as far as the Basingstoke roundabout?".<ref>{{cite book| last = Adams | first = Douglas | title = The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy | publisher = ] | year = 1979 | page = 43 | isbn = 0-330-25864-8}}</ref>
{{main|List of people from Basingstoke}}

Also in 1979, ''A Stone in Heaven'', part of ]'s ] series, Admiral Flandry uses "Basingstoke" as a password, in an apparent homage to its usage in ''Ruddigore''.

In 1981, in the sitcom '']'', its revealed that the character ] was expelled from Art College in Basingstoke for smoking cannabis.

In the 1984 ]'s song "]", Basingstoke is mentioned as in the following lyric snippet:
<blockquote>
I often dream of trains when I'm alone<br />
I ride on them into another zone<br />
I dream of them constantly<br />
Heading for paradise<br />
Or Basingstoke<br />
Or Reading<br />
</blockquote>

In the 1990 Broadway musical ], based on the novel ] by ], His Grace Rupert the 14th Bishop of Basingstoke is a character.

Patrick Wilde's 1993 play, ] is set in Basingstoke. It was later adapted into the 1998 film, ].

In the 2005 novel "]" by ]', Detective Mary Mary from hails from Basingstoke, and is continually claiming to not be ashamed of it, a play on the town's public relations campaign that it's "A Place to Be Proud Of."

== Filmography ==
The 1998 film '']'' was filmed at various locations around the town.<ref name="getreal">{{cite web | last = Shaw| first = Pete| year = 2007 | url = http://www.bensilverstone.net/bslocations.asp| title = Get Real, Basingstoke filming locations| publisher = bensilverstone.net| accessdate =26 August 2007}}</ref>

Basingstoke’s ] was one of two hospitals used for the filming of ]'s hit comedy '']''.<ref>{{cite news | last = Raphael | first = Amy | title = Green Wing's midwife and surgeon |work=The Daily Telegraph | date = 29 March 2006
| url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/03/29/btvpile29.xml&sSheet=/arts/2006/03/29/ixartleft.html | accessdate =26 December 2006 | location=London}}</ref>

An episode of '']'' was filmed in Festival Place in November 2008. The episode was broadcast on BBC2 at 8:00&nbsp;pm on 7 December. ] was testing the new ] in the town in the early hours of the morning.<ref> TV stars hit top gear in shopping centre.</ref>

In the first series of '']'', episode 2 "Just a Target", the assassination attempt towards the end of the episode was set in Basingstoke.

Basingstoke is mentioned briefly in a Monty Python sketch where ] is in the midst of hi-jacking a plane when the pilot (]) suggest he could drop him off at a "haystack just outside Basingstoke", the footage of Palin falling into the haystack and getting onto a coach is actually filmed on the outskirts of Basingstoke.

Many scenes from the ] comedy film ] were shot on the ].

==Twin towns==
Basingstoke is ] with:
:*{{flagicon|FRA}} ], France;
:*{{flagicon|BEL}} ], Belgium
:*{{flagicon|GER}} ], Germany<ref>{{cite web|title=Twin Towns in Hampshire|url=http://www3.hants.gov.uk/localpages/twintown.htm|publisher=Hampshire County Council|accessdate=13 June 2012}}</ref>


== See also == == See also ==
* ]
* ]


== Notes == == Notes ==
{{refbegin}} {{notelist}}
'''a.''' {{Note label|A|a|none}} Population figure is an estimate for 2010, and includes only the unparished area, not the surrounding area.

'''b.''' {{Note label|B|b|none}} The ] shows a toponomic interpretation of the various ] elements within the names Basing and Basingstoke. ‘’Bas’’ is taken to be from the personal name 'Basa', ‘’ingas’’ as 'people of' and ‘’stoc’’ as 'dependent farmstead' or 'secondary settlement'.

'''c.''' {{Note label|C|c|none}} In summarising to Magistrates at the trial of those members of the public said to have rioted against the Salvationists, defence counsel stated that ‘’Until this body known as the Salvation Army was formed here, the number of summonses which had come before the Magistrates was comparatively unknown. They now had a large number of assault cases to hear.’’ ‘’The army perfectly well knew that their conduct was leading to disturbances in the town’’. The case against the defendants was dismissed.<ref>{{cite book | title = The Salvation Army at Basingstoke. Report of the proceedings before the Magistrates on May 3rd and 9th, 1881| location = Basingstoke | year = 1881 | id = }}</ref>
{{refend}}


== References == == References ==
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== External links == == External links ==
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* * {{Official website|http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/}}
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* {{OpenDomesday|SU6351|basingstoke|Basingstoke}}
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{{Geographic Location
|title = Destinations from Basingstoke
|Northwest = ], ]
|North = ], ]
|Northeast = ], ], ], ]
|West = ], ]
|Centre = Basingstoke
|East = ], ], ], ]
|Southwest = ], ]
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{{Basingstoke and Deane}} {{Basingstoke and Deane}}
{{Hampshire}} {{Hampshire}}
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Latest revision as of 07:27, 12 November 2024

Town in Hampshire, England

Town in England
Basingstoke
Town
Clockwise from top: Town centre viewed from Churchill Way at night, The Anvil theatre, Basingstoke railway station, St Michael's Church, high-rise flats in Crown Heights, and the AA Building (Fanum House)
Basingstoke is located in HampshireBasingstokeBasingstokeLocation within Hampshire
Population113,776 
OS grid referenceSU637523
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townBasingstoke
Postcode districtRG21–RG24
Dialling code01256
PoliceHampshire and Isle of Wight
FireHampshire and Isle of Wight
AmbulanceSouth Central
UK Parliament
Websitebasingstoke.gov.uk
List of places
UK
England
Hampshire
51°16′00″N 1°05′15″W / 51.2667°N 1.0876°W / 51.2667; -1.0876

Basingstoke (/ˈbeɪzɪŋstoʊk/ BAY-zing-stohk) is a town in Hampshire, situated in south-central England across a valley at the source of the River Loddon on the western edge of the North Downs. It is the largest settlement in Hampshire without city status. It is located 30 miles (48 km) north-east of Southampton, 48 miles (77 km) south-west of London, 27 miles (43 km) west of Guildford, 22 miles (35 km) south of Reading and 20 miles (32 km) north-east 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 an old market town expanded in the mid-1960s, as a result of an agreement between London County Council and Hampshire County Council. It was developed rapidly after the Second World War, along with various other towns in the United Kingdom, in order to accommodate part of the London 'overspill' as perceived under the Greater London Plan in 1944. Basingstoke market was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and it remained a small market town until the early 1960s. At the start of the Second World War, the population was little more than 13,000. It still has a regular market, but is now larger than Hampshire County Council's definition of a market town.

Basingstoke became an important economic centre during the second half of the 20th century and houses the locations of the UK headquarters of Motorola, The Automobile Association, De La Rue, Sun Life Financial, ST Ericsson, GAME, Barracuda Networks, Eli Lilly and Company, FCB Halesway part of FCB, BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions (the leasing arm of BNP Paribas in the UK) and Sony Professional Solutions. It is also the location of the European headquarters of the TaylorMade Golf Company. Other industries include IT, telecommunications, insurance and electronics.

Etymology

The name Basingstoke (A.D 990; Embasinga stocæ, Domesday; Basingestoches) is believed to have been derived from the town's position as the outlying, western settlement of Basa's people. Basing, now Old Basing, a village 2 miles (3 km) to the east, is thought to have the same etymology, and was the original Anglo-Saxon settlement of the people – Basingas – led by a tribal chief called Basa. Basing remained the main settlement until changes in the local church moved the religious base from St Marys Church, Basing, to the church in Basingstoke.

History

Early settlements

The remains of the 16th-century Chapel of the Holy Ghost, Basingstoke

A Neolithic campsite of around 3000 BC beside a spring on the west of the town is the earliest known human settlement here, but the Willis Museum has flint implements and axes from nearby fields that date back to Palæolithic times. The hillfort at Winklebury (2 miles (3 km) west of the town centre), known locally as Winklebury Camp or Winklebury Ring dates from the Iron Age and there are remains of several other earthworks around Basingstoke, including a long barrow near Down Grange. The site of Winklebury camp was home to Fort Hill Community School (this school has shutdown). Nearby, to the west, Roman Road marks the course of a Roman road that ran from Winchester to Silchester. Further to the east, another Roman road ran from Chichester through the outlying villages of Upton Grey and Mapledurwell. The Harrow Way is an Iron-age ancient route that runs to the south of the town. The first recorded historical event in the area was the defeat of King Æthelred of Wessex and his brother Alfred the Great at Old Basing by the Danes in 871.

Market town

St Michael's Church

Basingstoke is recorded as a weekly market site in the Domesday Book, in 1086, and has held a regular Wednesday market since 1214. During the Civil War, and the siege of Basing House between 1643 and 1645, the town played host to large numbers of Parliamentarians. During this time, St. Michael's Church was damaged whilst being used as an explosive store and lead was stripped from the roof of the Chapel of the Holy Ghost, Basingstoke leading to its eventual ruin. It had been incorporated in 1524, but was effectively out of use after the Civil War. The 17th century saw serious damage to much of the town and its churches, because of the great fires of 1601 and 1656. Cromwell is thought to have stayed here towards the end of the siege of Basing House, and wrote a letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons addressed from Basingstoke.

The cloth industry appears to have been important in the development of the town until the 17th century along with malting. Brewing became important during the 18th and 19th centuries, and the oldest and most successful brewery was May's Brewery, established by Thomas and William May in 1750 in Brook Street.

Victorian history

Wallis & Steevens Simplicity steam roller

The London and South Western Railway arrived in 1839 from London, and within a year it was extended to Winchester and Southampton. In 1848 a rival company, sponsored by the Great Western Railway built a branch from Reading. In 1854 a line was built to Salisbury by the London and South Western. In the 19th century Basingstoke began to move into industrial manufacture, Wallis and Haslam (later Wallis & Steevens), began producing agricultural equipment including threshing machines in the 1850s, moving into the production of stationary steam engines in the 1860s and then traction engines in the 1870s.

Two traders who opened their first shops within a year of each other in the town, went on to become household names nationally: Thomas Burberry in 1856 and Alfred Milward in 1857. Burberry became famous after he invented Gabardine and Milward founded the Milwards chain of shoe shops, which could be found on almost every high street until the 1980s.

John May, a member of the brewery family, was several times mayor of the town. A benefactor to the town, he paid for the building of a drill hall in Sarum Hill for the use of the Hampshire Volunteers (later used as a cinema and then a furniture shop) and a wing for the Cottage Hospital in Hackwood Road. The drill hall was opened in 1885 and also used for concerts and exhibitions. He also bought a piece of open space that was about to be sold for housing and let it at a low rent to the Basingstoke Cricket Club. This cricket ground is still in use and is called "May's Bounty".

Ordinary citizens were said to be shocked by the emotive, evangelical tactics of the Salvation Army when they arrived in the town in 1880, but the reaction from those employed by the breweries or within the licensed trade quickly grew more openly hostile. Violent clashes became a regular occurrence. On Sunday 27 March 1881 troops were called upon to break up the conflict after the Mayor had read the Riot Act. The riot and its causes led to questions in Parliament and a period of notoriety for the town. The town was described as 'Barbarous Basingstoke' by one London newspaper in 1882 but by March 1882 the disturbances were dying down.

1902 Thornycroft steam lorry, in the Milestones Museum

In 1898 John Isaac Thornycroft began production of steam-powered lorries in the town and Thornycroft's quickly grew to become the town's largest employer.

Recent history

Basingstoke suffered very little bomb damage during the Second World War. A stick of German bombs did fall in the Church Square area on 16 August 1940. The same day bombs destroyed part of a row of houses in Burgess Road. Six people were killed in the raid. Overall, 13 civilians died from enemy action during the war in the town. After the war, the town had a population of 25,000.

As part of the London Overspill plan, along with places such as Ashford and Swindon, Basingstoke was rapidly developed in the late 1960s as an 'expanded town', in similar fashion to Milton Keynes. As the population increased, the town produced more figures of national importance, such as the art critic Waldemar Januszczak and the actress Elizabeth Hurley. Many office blocks and large estates were built, as well as a ring road. The shopping centre was built in phases. The first phase was completed by the 1970s and was later covered in the 1980s, and was known as The Walks. The second phase was completed by the early 1980s, and became The Malls. The third phase was abandoned and the site was later used to build the Anvil concert hall. The central part of the shopping centre was rebuilt in 2002 and reopened as Festival Place. This has brought a dramatic improvement to shoppers' opinions of the town centre.

Festival Place shopping centre in August 2007

Geography

Situated in a valley through the Hampshire Downs at an average elevation of 88 metres (289 ft) Basingstoke is a major interchange between Reading, Newbury, Andover, Winchester, and Alton, and lies on the natural trade route between the southwest of England and London. The area had been something of an interchange even in ancient times. It had been cut by a Roman roadway that ran from northeast to southwest, from Silchester towards Salisbury (Sorbiodunum), and by another Roman road that linked Silchester (Calleva Atrebatum) in the north with Winchester (Venta Belgarum) to the south. These cross-cutting highways, along with the good agricultural land hereabouts, account for the many "Roman" villas in the area, mostly put up by Romanized native nobility (Roman villa). Even more ancient was the Harrow Way, a Neolithic trackway, possibly associated with the ancient tin trade, that crossed all of southern England from west to east, from Cornwall to Kent, passing right through Andover and Basingstoke.

Physical geography and geology

Basingstoke has no single boundary that encompasses all the areas contiguous to its development. The unparished area of the town represents its bulk, but several areas popularly considered part of the town are separate parishes, namely Chineham, Rooksdown, and parts of Old Basing and Lychpit. The unparished area includes Worting which was previously a separate village and parish, extending beyond Roman Road and Old Kempshott Lane, which might otherwise be considered the town's 'natural' western extremity.

Basingstoke is situated on a bed of cretaceous upper chalk with small areas of clayey and loamy soil, inset with combined clay and flint patches. Loam and alluvium recent and pleistocene sediments line the bed of the river Loddon. A narrow line of tertiary Reading beds run diagonally from the northwest to the southeast along a line from Sherborne St John through Popley, Daneshill and the north part of Basing. To the north of this line, encompassing the areas of Chineham and Pyotts Hill, is London clay, which has in the past allowed excavation for high quality brick and tile manufacture.

Divisions and suburbs

Basingstoke's expansion has absorbed much surrounding farmland and scattered housing, transforming it into housing estates or local districts. Many of these new estates are designed as almost self-contained communities, such as Lychpit, Chineham, Popley, Winklebury, Oakridge, Kempshott, Brighton Hill, Viables, South Ham, Black Dam, Buckskin and South Ham Extension and Hatch Warren. The M3 acts as a buffer zone to the south of the town, and the South West Main Line constrains the western expansion, with a green belt to the north and north-east. The villages of Cliddesden, Dummer, Sherborne St John and Oakley, although being very close to the town limits, are distinct parishes. Popley, Hatch Warren and Beggarwood saw rapid growth in housing in the mid to late 2000s.

Demography

The population of Basingstoke increased from around 2,500 in 1801 to over 52,000 in 1971; the most significant growth occurring during the latter half of the 20th century. The borough of Basingstoke was merged with other local districts in 1974 to form the borough of Basingstoke and Deane, and census data from that point covers the whole borough.

Figures published for the UK census in 2011 for the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane give a population of 167,799 and a population density of 2.7 persons per hectare—only about half the national figure. The number of women slightly exceeded that of men, and a slight increase in the percentage of residents over 65 was also noted. Among other findings in 2001 were that 74.33 per cent felt they were in good health, 50.98 per cent were economically active full-time employees (over 10 per cent higher than the national average) and 48.73 per cent were buying their property with a mortgage or loan (almost 10 per cent higher than the national average). Amongst the working population, 64.2 per cent travelled less than 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to work. The biggest percentage of employees, 17.67 per cent, worked in real estate, renting and business activities.

Governance

Basingstoke is part of a two-tier local government structure and returns county councillors to Hampshire County Council. It is the third largest settlement in the ceremonial county, but when the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth attained unitary authority status in 1998, Basingstoke became the largest settlement in the county administered by the county council.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is the lower-tier local authority for the town, and has its offices in the town centre. Elections to the council take place in 3 out of every 4 years.

Under the town twinning scheme, the local council have twinned Basingstoke with Alençon in France, Braine-l'Alleud in Belgium, and Euskirchen in Germany.

Facilities

The former town hall, now the Willis Museum
View of The Malls from Basingstoke railway station before the 2011 refurbishment

The Top of Town is the historic heart of Basingstoke, housing the Willis Museum in the former Town Hall building (rebuilt 1832) as well as several locally run shops and the market place.

Basingstoke is home to two theatrical organisations: the Haymarket, which is situated in the former Corn Exchange, and The Anvil, which is near the railway station.

The Willis Museum was founded and directed by Alderman George W. Willis, a local clocksmith, who served as Mayor of Basingstoke in 1923–24. Willis established the museum in 1931 with much public support, and built its holdings up into a major collection on local history, with a particularly extensive collection of prehistoric implements and of antique clocks and watches. His association with the expanding museum continued for forty years. The museum's central location today is where, once upon a time, Jane Austen and her sister used to go to dances, and a statue of Jane Austen was installed outside the museum in 2017, on the 200th anniversary of her death. Although ostensibly set in Hertford, Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, written in 1797, is thought to have been based on her view of Basingstoke society two centuries ago.

The major shopping area is Festival Place, which opened in October 2002. Festival Place gave a huge boost to the town centre, transforming and replacing what was the former The Walks Shopping Centre and the New Market Square. Aside from a wide range of shops, there is also a range of cafés and restaurants as well as a large multiscreen Vue cinema (formerly Ster Century from Festival Place's opening until their takeover in 2005; the pre-existing Vue in the Leisure Park was sold to Odeon).

The Malls is a shopping area linked by a gateway entrance to the rail station. It had declined since the opening of Festival Place and the closure of its Allders department store. The leasehold was purchased in 2004 by the St Modwen development group in partnership with the Kuwait property investment company Salhia Real Estate, with provision for redevelopment The redevelopment of The Malls started in late 2010. A clear roof canopy was installed to protect the Malls from bad weather while still allowing natural light and air in. The Malls has been repaved and new street furniture installed. The redevelopment was completed in the last quarter of 2011. The redevelopment work was carried out by Wates Group using a variety of subcontractors.

A large Waitrose store is located near the station. It was built in November 2015 as part of the redevelopment of Basing View. A John Lewis at home store which was part of the same redevelopment closed down in 2021.

The town's nightlife is split between the new Festival Square, and the traditional hostelries at the Top of Town, with a few local community pubs outside the central area. The town has four nightclubs, two in the town itself, one on the east side and one 2 miles (3.2 km) out to the west.

The Basingstoke Sports Centre is located in Portchester Square. The sports centre has a subterranean swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi and steam room. Above ground there is a gym, aerobics studios, squash courts and main hall. There is also an Ofsted-registered crèche.

Sport and leisure

Eastrop Park, with Fanum House in the background

Outside the town centre there is a leisure park featuring the Aquadrome swimming pool, which opened in May 2002. Also located at the leisure park are an ice rink, a bowling alley, an indoor sky-diving centre with ski and surf machines, a Bingo club and a ten-screen Odeon (formerly Vue prior to the takeover of the Ster Century cinema in Festival Place, and before that, Warner-Village) cinema, as well as a restaurant and fast food outlets. The leisure park is home to the Milestones Museum, a living history museum which contains a network of streets and buildings based on the history of Hampshire.

Basingstoke has a football club, Basingstoke Town F.C., the Basingstoke Rugby Football Club and the Basingstoke Bison ice hockey team. Basingstoke also has a swimming team, known as the Basingstoke Bluefins and an American Flag Football Team known as the Basingstoke Zombie Horde. Further sporting organisations in the area include Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletic Club, Basingstoke Demons Floorball Club, Basingstoke Volleyball Club, Basingstoke Bulls Korfball Club and Lasham Gliding Society. The home ground of Basingstoke & North Hants Cricket Club, Mays Bounty, was until 2000 used once a season by Hampshire County Cricket Club. As of 2011, Basingstoke has a roller derby league and team, the Basingstoke Bullets. Due to difficulty finding a suitable venue, the team practice in nearby Whitchurch. Basingstoke is also the home of Rising Phoenix Cheer, a successful competitive Allstar Cheerleading programme for athletes from age 5 upwards, training at Aldworth school.

Musical groups

Basingstoke has a wide diversity for musical groups ranging from brass bands to symphony orchestras. The Basingstoke Concert Band is a traditional wind band which has now been in existence for more than 35 years. The band was started in 1977 by Lawrie Shaw when Brighton Hill Community School opened, where he was the first headteacher. Shaw formed the band as an evening class for amateur wind players and it was then known as the Brighton Hill Centre Band.

Media

There are two local newspapers – the Basingstoke Gazette, and the Basingstoke Observer. The town is also covered by the broadsheet newspaper Hampshire Chronicle.

Local TV coverage is provided by BBC South and ITV Meridian, with BBC London and ITV London also received in the town.

Basingstoke is served by two regional radio stations. Greatest Hits Radio Berkshire & North Hampshire, serving North Hampshire and parts of Surrey and Sussex, and Heart South, previously broadcast from Reading. BBC Radio Berkshire is available in the town. The town has coverage from digital radio; the BBC, Independent National and Now Reading multiplexes can be received in the town, and the outskirts can receive London and South Hampshire stations as well. The BBC national stations and DAB coverage is enhanced by a small relay just south of the town centre.

The local radio Station is HHCR - Basingstoke's Community Radio, an internet-based broadcaster opened on 3 June 2019 by Cllr Diane Taylor Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane.

Education

See also: List of schools in Basingstoke and Deane

The Holy Ghost School (subsequently Queen Mary's School for Boys) was a state funded grammar school operating in Basingstoke for four centuries, from 1556 until 1970, producing nationally recognised alumni such as Revd. Gilbert White (1720–1793), a pioneer naturalist, and the famed cricket commentator, John Arlott (1914–1991).

In modern times education in Basingstoke has been co-ordinated by Hampshire County Council. Each neighbourhood in the town has at least one primary school, while secondary schools are distributed around the town on larger campuses. Basingstoke has two large further education colleges: a sixth form college, Queen Mary's College (QMC) and Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT). The University of Winchester had a campus in Basingstoke (Chute House Campus) which closed in July 2011; it had offered full-time and part-time university courses in subjects including childhood studies, various management pathways, community development and creative industries. Bournemouth University's health and social care students can work on placement at the North Hampshire Hospital. The hospital only caters for midwifery students.

Transport

Basingstoke railway station, as seen from Alençon Link in 2005

Road

Basingstoke is situated close to junctions 6, 7 and 8 of the M3 motorway, which skirts the town's south-eastern edge, linking the town to London, and to Southampton and the south-west. The central area of the town is encircled by The Ringway, a ring road constructed in the 1960s, and is bisected east to west by the A3010 (Churchill Way). The A33 runs north-east to Reading and the M4 motorway, and south-west to Winchester. The A30 runs east to Hook and west to Salisbury. The A303 to Wiltshire and the West Country begins a few miles south-west of Basingstoke, sharing the first few miles with the A30. On the M3, there is a flyover, which passes over the slip road to A303, near Junction 8. The A339 runs south-east to Alton and north-west to Newbury.

Railway

The South West Main Line runs east and west through the centre of the town and Basingstoke railway station, linking Basingstoke to London Waterloo, Winchester, Southampton, Bournemouth and Weymouth. The West of England line links Basingstoke to Salisbury and to Exeter. The Reading–Basingstoke line runs north-east to Reading and is part of an important through route for longer distance services to Birmingham and the North.

The town was the terminus of the defunct Basingstoke and Alton Light Railway.

Current rail services from Basingstoke are operated by South Western Railway, CrossCountry and Great Western Railway. The Reading-Basingstoke Line runs parallel to Chineham Business Park, Vyne Park, the suburb of Chineham and Taylors Farm.

Bus

Stagecoach Dart 35211 in Jazz Livery

Most bus services in the town operate from Basingstoke bus station. The majority are provided by the Stagecoach Group through their Stagecoach in Hampshire sub-division. Basingstoke Community Transport and Communities First Wessex run some smaller routes.

A peak-time service is provided by Thames Valley Buses between Chineham Business Park and the railway station. National Express offers direct coach services to London and Southampton from the bus station.

Cycling

Separating cyclists from other road traffic was not part of the remit of the 1960s town redevelopment and, in 1996, the perception of provision for cyclists was very poor. Following the Basingstoke Area Cycling Strategy in 1999 an extensive cycle network was developed, mainly utilising on-road routes or off-road routes that run parallel with and directly alongside roads. Basingstoke was linked to Reading on the National Cycle Network route 23 in May 2003; the route was extended south to Alton and Alresford in April 2006.

Basingstoke Canal

The Basingstoke Canal started at a canal basin, roughly where the cinema in Festival Place is located. From there the canal ran alongside the River Loddon following the line of Eastrop Way. The old canal route passes under the perimeter ring road and then follows a long loop partly on an embankment to pass over small streams and water meadows towards Old Basing, where the route goes around the ruins of Basing House and then through and around the eastern edge of Old Basing. It followed another loop to go over small streams near the Hatch public house (a lot of this section was built over when constructing the M3) and headed across fields on an embankment towards Mapledurwell. The section of the canal from Up Nately to the western entrance of the Greywell Tunnel still exists and is a nature reserve; there is water in the canal and the canal towpath can be walked. A permissive footpath at the western entrance to the tunnel allows walkers to access public footpaths to get to the eastern entrance of the tunnel. The limit of navigation is about 500m east of the Greywell Tunnel. The renovated sections of the canal can then be navigated east towards West Byfleet where it joins the Wey Navigation, which itself can be navigated to the River Thames at Weybridge.

Aims to reconnect Basingstoke with the surviving sections of the Basingstoke Canal have been beset with difficulties, and actual restoration of a canal link is impossible. The Basingstoke Canal Society aspire to re-establish the route of the lost section of the canal as closely as possible with a footpath and cycleway.

Religious sites

  • The Anglican church of St. Michael's is located west of Festival Place. The chancel dates from 1464, and the south chapel may be older. The nave and aisles were added fifty years later by Richard Foxe, Bishop of Winchester. The Memorial Chapel at the north-east corner of the church was completed in 1921.
  • The ruined Chapel of the Holy Ghost, north of the railway station, has not been a place of worship for four centuries, an effect of the Reformation. It was built by the first Lord Sandys, beginning in 1524, when King Henry VIII issued a charter of incorporation. The west tower of a 13th-century building also survives. It is surrounded by an ancient (as well as a more modern) cemetery; William, Lord Sandys himself lies buried in the chapel with his wife.
  • In 1902, the Catholic Holy Ghost Church was built by Alexander Scoles, named after the old chapel. It is a Grade II listed building.
  • The Church of St Mary, Eastrop is an old church, enlarged in 1912.
  • All Saints' Church was built in 1915, designed by Temple Moore.
  • St Peter's Church was built in 1964-5, designed by Ronald Sims and is in a housing estate built in the 1960s.
  • In 2014, a group named Basingstoke Community Churches covered an area of six churches in the town. There are also an Assemblies of God church called Wessex Christian Fellowship, two Roman Catholic churches, St. Bede's and St. Joseph's, and churches of other denominations.
  • In 2019, Gateway Church Basingstoke began a partnership with Christians Against Poverty (CAP) to launch a Debt Centre in Basingstoke.

International relations

Basingstoke is twinned with:

Cultural associations

"Basingstoke" is a code word in Gilbert and Sullivan's 1887 comic opera Ruddigore, used by the "bad baronet" after he reforms, to remind his bride "Mad Margaret" of their plan to live lives of boring respectability. In 1895, Thomas Hardy referred to Basingstoke as "Stoke Barehills" in Jude the Obscure.

Basingstoke's North Hampshire Hospital was one of two hospitals used for the filming of Channel 4's hit comedy Green Wing. George Formby's film, He Snoops to Conquer was partly shot in the town in 1944 and in 1974 the National Film Board of Canada produced a documentary here called Basingstoke – Runcorn: British New Towns. The former Park Prewett Mental Hospital was the setting for the novel Poison in the Shade (1953), by Eric Benfield, a local author and sculptor who worked as an art therapist at that hospital.

Patrick Wilde's 1993 play, What's Wrong with Angry?, is set in Basingstoke. It was later adapted into the 1998 film, Get Real, which was filmed at various locations around Basingstoke.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Basingstoke

See also

Notes

  1. Population figure is an estimate for 2010, and includes only the unparished area, not the surrounding area.
  2. In 2012 the town proper had a population of 84,275, but this does not include the large suburban villages of Chineham, Old Basing or Lychpit, which are now considered as outer suburbs of the town.
  3. The List of generic forms in British place names shows a toponymic interpretation of the various Old English elements within the names Basing and Basingstoke. Bas is taken to be from the personal name 'Basa', ingas as 'people of' and stoc as 'dependent farmstead' or 'secondary settlement'.
  4. In summarising to Magistrates at the trial of those members of the public said to have rioted against the Salvationists, defence counsel stated that Until this body known as the Salvation Army was formed here, the number of summonses which had come before the Magistrates was comparatively unknown. They now had a large number of assault cases to hear. The army perfectly well knew that their conduct was leading to disturbances in the town. The case against the defendants was dismissed.

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Destinations from Basingstoke
Newbury, Kingsclere Reading, Tadley London, Slough, Wokingham, Yateley
Andover, Salisbury Basingstoke Fleet, Farnborough, Aldershot, Guildford
Southampton, Winchester Portsmouth, New Alresford, Fareham Farnham, Alton
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