Area Guide-Basingstoke


Basingstoke is a large and thriving town located in glorious north Hampshire countryside about 50 miles to the west of central London within easy driving distances of Reading and Newbury to the north and the county town of Winchester to the west. Once a sleepy market town it has grown considerably since the 1960’s and although it retains a nucleus of attractive older properties close to the town centre it is generally deemed to be a modern town with a dynamic property market with a comprehensive range of modern house to suit all budgets.

Basingstoke is an important economic centre with high levels of employment with a diverse range of successful local, regional and national companies and some leading international companies such as The A.A, Shire and De La Rue.

There are some lovely villages in the area from small rural hamlets like Tunworth and West Heath to much larger villages such as Oakley and Bramley. Popular villages surrounding include Old Basing with the ruins of Basing House, which once rivalled Hampton Court in size and opulence until being destroyed by Oliver Cromwell, and Sherborne St John which houses The Vyne, a National Trust mansion. Traditional villages such as North Waltham, Cliddesden, Sherfield on Loddon and Dummer retain their duckponds, village pubs and village schools, and along the Test valley are the villages of Deane, Overton, Southington, Laverstoke and Freefolk and the small, but popular, town of Whitchurch.

Educational needs are well served, which include some highly regarded village primary schools, notably The Priory in Charter Alley. There are many renowned Independent schools within driving distance which include Sherfield School in Sherfield on Loddon, Cheam in Headley and Lord Wandsworth in Long Sutton. 

Commuting is excellent. Located on junctions 6 and 7 of the M3 London and the coast are within easy driving distance. Basingstoke station also offers extremely regular services to London Waterloo from 45 minutes, and there are additional mainline stations in Overton, Micheldever Station, Whitchurch and Hook and a branch line from Bramley.

Basingstoke holds a free live concert every July in the Memorial Park and during August, Car Fest South which is an annual motoring festival is held in nearby Laverstoke. The town holds its very own ‘Oktoberfest’ beer & food festival every October. The  Bombay Sapphire Gin distillery tour is definitely worth a visit and situated in the village of Freefolk.

The main group of high street restaurants are found in Festival Place which is the main hub of the shopping centre within Basingstoke. Many good restaurants and traditional pubs can be found in the surrounding villages.