Car Hire Basingstoke - Mini guide to Basingstoke

Located in the north of Hampshire County, the lovely town of Basingstoke is steeped in history, old buildings, quaint churches and pleasant countryside.

The highlight of the town is the ruins of England’s last castle, Basing House. The stately fortification was once the country's largest private house, the palace of the powerful courtier William Paulet, Marquess of Winchester. The grounds are perfect for families, with a stroll through the restored Jacobean Garden extremely refreshing.

There is a lot more history on hand in Basingstoke. The Roman occupation of the town is demonstrated by the site of a villa on the north bank of the River Loddon, and several other places where pottery and coins have been found. Many of the archaeological finds have been deposited at the excellent Willis Museum. Elsewhere in the town are attractions such as the Milestones Museum, The Vyne National Trust property, Upton Grey Manor House and Garden, Stratfield Saye House and the quaint Chapel of the Holy Ghost.

Modernization has expanded the quality and variety of Basingstoke’s accommodation and restaurants, as well as its nightlife. The High Street is the center of the town’s night scene, with plenty of quality bars, restaurants and cafes.

There are two historic roads in the area – the Basingstoke Canal Path, which follows the Towpath Trail, and the Wayfarers Walk, leading through the heart of Hampshire. Families can head for the vast Wellington Country Park, or alternatively take a beautiful riverside walk along the banks of the River Loddon, past the former manor fish ponds and across the Canal Bridge over the old Loddon to Basingstoke Canal.

Close to the town are the ruins of the Roman settlement at Silchester, while Winklebury Camp is an Iron Age hill fort with complex defenses dating from the fourth to the first century B.C..

Basingstoke is located approximately 70km southwest of London’s Heathrow International Airport. Motorists can reach basingstoke via the M3 from London (J 6) while trains depart at-least twice an hour from London Waterloo station (duration: 45 mins) on their way to the South coast. There is also a direct line to Reading, opening up the west country.