Basingstoke has a wide variety of places to visit, here are a few of them.

Historic Houses and Buildings

Basingstoke and north Hampshire is spoilt with the wide variety of Historic buildings

In Old Basing there are the ruins of Basing House.  Most famous for being destroyed during the civil war (1642 - 1646).  Basing House was built in 1535 as palace for William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester.  Basing House was made up of two linked houses. The Old House and the more modern New House. A bridge and gateway linked the two together.  In total the house had 380 rooms, was five storeys high and was considered by many to be the greatest private house in the country.

In 1642 at the start of the English Civil War, Basing House belonged to John Paulet, the fifth Marquis of Winchester.He was a supporter of King Charles I. This inevitably led to parliamentary troops attacking Basing House on three different occasions, successfully defending the house on the first two occasions.The third and final attack started in August 1645 when 800 troops took up position around the walls. The house held out, despite reinforcements to the attacking force, until Oliver Cromwell arrived with heavy artillery.

On October 13, 1645, the New House was been taken and the defences of the Old House breached. The final storming used the link between the two parts of the house. Many valuable goods were carried off and a fire destroyed the building.The house was never rebuilt and many of the older houses in Old Basing used bricks from the ruins, as did Charles Paulet. Who later pulled down what was left of Basing House and to build a new house at Hackwood. The site is internationally renowned, and the remains of various buildings, which continue to be excavated, provide a rich educational resource.

Further to the north is Calleva Atrebatum near the village Silchester. This is on the Hampshire-Berkshire border and was the location for one of the largest Roman Towns in the country. It has been extensively excavated and many finds are available in the museum in Reading. However you can still see many signs of the roman town including the Roman Wall, much of which can be walked.

If ruins are not of interest there are other historic houses that are very much complete and in use.

The Vyne, a 16th centuary country house originally built for Lord Sandys, Henry VIII's Lord Chamberlain is now maintained and run by the National Trust. This 400 year old house is set in 13 acres of attractive gardens with lakeside and woodland walks. It offers a fascinating insight into the history of the country house with much to see. There are a number of woodland, wetland and parkland walks, and the Vyne holds a number of concerts and family events throughout the year.

Stratfield Saye House, a property given by a grateful nation to the Duke of Wellington after he defeated Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo, in Belgium, in 1815. The house originally was built in 1630. you'll find the elegant, but intimate, Stratfield Saye House, home to the Dukes of Wellington since 1817. The house and gardens offer an intriguing and informative insight into the life of the Great Duke of Wellington. View the fascinating collection of paintings and furniture and see the wonderful Wellington Exhibition featuring his magnificent funeral carriage and charting his military and political life. The house holds an amazing display of items including busts of Wellington and Napoleon and many paintings.  The family still live in the house. There is a small gift shop and tea-room, serving light sandwich lunches and cakes, in the reception building. Access to Stratfield Saye House is by guided tour only.Numbers in groups are restricted because some of the rooms are small. Visitors may explore the gardens, grounds and exhibition (including the 1st Duke's funeral carriage) at their leisure.

Highclere Castle, the home of The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon has many treasures, from many centuries and wonderful gardens. The 5th Earl made his mark on history by discovering the Tomb of Tutankhamen with Carter in 1922, and there is an excellent exhibition in the cellar. That is not all you will find here in the largest country house in Hampshire. The house was built by the well known architect Sir Charles Barry, famous for building the Houses of Parliament. It is said though he preferred Highclere Castle, the interiors and furnishing of this great house reflect the many generations who have lived here and therefore make it a wonderful place to visit.

Parks and Gardens

As well as the gardens and parks in the historic houses Basingstoke has over 30 superb parks and gardens, these offer everything from nature to sport.

Eastrop Park is a popular park located very close to the town centre. It is an ideal place to spend the day, with plenty to do.There is a boating lake, tree trail, trim trail and children's play area, as well as a paddling pool, a crazy golf course and a cafe. There is a varied programme of events run throughout summer.

Eastrop Park has been recognised under the national Green Flag Award scheme. This is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales and both recognises and rewards the best green spaces in the country. The judges appeared impressed by the community involvement, educational use and hard work put into maintenance and development and as a result the Borough, has been successful again in achieving the award for Eastrop Park. The park is a wonderful place in which to walk, with a new aspect to look at as you turn every corner and plenty of resting places.

The War Memorial Park is situated at the 'top' of the town between London Road and Black Dam. It is a historic Georgian park, and has attractive parkland landscape of mature trees and garden features. This is ideal for people to walk and relax. The park has a number of areas including a BMX/Skate park, sports pitches and all weather tennis courts run by Totally Tennis.

Following an award from the National Lottery Fund, the park was refurbished in 2001 to include a woodland walk, wedding garden and new aviary. The park is just a short walk town close to the council offices and if you are driving there is free parking available at Crossborough Hill.

Basingstoke has many pieces of Art thoughout the borough a few of them are in the park.

Ring of Light by Peter Freeman. To commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee, lighting artist, Peter Freeman, was commissioned to create a 'ring of light' in the War Memorial Park in 2002. This takes the form of a series of custom-made lights, which highlight the canopies of a selection of trees.

Six Stone Plaques by Alec Peever. Installed in 1995, these sandstone wedges were produced by Oxfordshire-based stonecutter, Alec Peever. Set into the walkways of the park, each is inscribed with a phrase from a poem. The artist was inspired by the 17th Century passion for viewing the landscape through a hand-held looking glass, known as a Claude Glass. This term originated with the artist Claude Lorraine, who would simplify the colours and tones of a scene by projecting the landscape's image onto a mirror.

The park hosts a variety of events throughout the year, organised by a vaiety of organisations. The largest event of the year is the annual Balloons over Basingstoke event. This is a free, family event, run over three days, with early morning and evening balloon flights (weather permitting). The highlight of the event is the 'Night Glow', a lazer show set to music and against the backdrop of balloons.

Black Dam Ponds are a haven for wildlife, particularly waterfowl including tufted ducks, coots and kingfishers. The Ponds are located in the Black Dam area of the town and has its own dedicated free parking. The site offers picnic facilities and there are links via an underpass to Crabtree Plantation.

Crabtree Plantation. Originally part of the Hackwood Estate, evidence of the historical significance of this site can still be seen in the Bolton Arch, through which lies the main entrance to Crabtree. The woodland is a mixture of oak, horse chestnut, sycamore and ash, with many informal footpaths. The grassland is managed for flowering plants. Crabtree is a hugely important site for butterflies due to its south facing position, woodland and grassland habitat which attracts many different varieties. The elms are of particular importance as they are the favoured resting and breeding place for the beautiful and rare White Letter Hairstreak.

Basingstoke has a number of little known gems including the Walled Garden at Down Grange.The Walled Garden was originally the large kitchen garden for the old Down Grange House. It still has some of its original features and is the location for some excellent events held throughout the year.

Basingstoke Canal

The Basingstoke canal opened in 1789 and provided an important link with the River Thames. The canal originally started at the bottom of Wote Street in the centre of Basingstoke. It winds its way across North Hampshire and Surrey until it joins the River Wey at West Byfleet before this river reaches the River Thames at Weybridge. It is now only navigable from North Warnborough. The canal is very popular for a quiet stroll or cycle along the towpath. You can enjoy fishing from its banks and the canal is well stocked with Pike, Carp, Tench and Bream. You can take a boat on the canal, your own or if you haven't got your own, you can join one of the public narrowboat trips.

Museums

Basingstoke museums provide information on our past and how Basingstoke and Hampshire has developed from a sleepy farming area to the home of major industry.

There is the Willis museum (formerly the Old Town Hall) in the town centre, which has different exhibitions on as well as the history of Basingstoke. It is well recommended for people to get a good insight into the history of Basingstoke and how the town has developed.

In the Leisure Park is the award winning Milestones Museum, the living museum, with its streets showing the history of Hampshire and its historic vehicles. This is one of the largest museums in Hampshire and its streets provide a fascinating insight into Hampshire life from the 19th and 20th centuries. With people dressed and acting in period costumes this museum isn't a static or sterile place it is living, active place that we provide much pleasure for young and old.

Just outside Basingstoke is the small town of Whitchurch, this is the home of the awarding winning Whitchurch Silk Mill, this is a working museum producing fine quality silk in the traditional methods. Whitchurch silk has been used by many costume dramas and has appeared on television.