Basingstoke (also known affectionately as Amazingstoke) should be high on your list of towns to visit and here is why.

There are huge number of roundabouts (it used to have the highest number per capita before being overtaken by Milton Keynes); from mini roundabouts to the huge ones that make up the ring road, constantly confusing drivers and the ones with nicknames such as Stonehenge roundabout (that looks nothing like Stonehenge!).

There are new houses being built everywhere! So you are likely to see construction traffic somewhere on your visit.

There are five McDonalds, five Starbucks and four Costas. Plus all the supermarkets with two Sainsbury’s an Asda, a Morrisons, a Waitrose, two Marks and Spencer’s, three Lidl’s, two Aldi’s, six Co-op’s and seven Tesco stores.

And of course it is home to the Basingstoke office of Belasko.

In all seriousness though, there really are some great reasons to visit Basingstoke if you happen to find yourself here.

The beautiful Hampshire countryside is not far away, offering lots of walks and scenic views.

There are great places to visit such as:

  • Millers Ark Farm (less than 10 minutes from the centre of Basingstoke – they do regular open days including adults only ones). Well worth a visit if you fancy getting up close with farm animals.
  • Wellington Country Park (less than 20 minute drive from the centre of Basingstoke) is a fun family day out with lots of activities for kids of all ages, including a bouncy pillow and several themed play areas.

Other highlights include Atmosphere Trampoline Park, Milestones Museum and the Leisure Park.

If you wanted to upgrade from staying at the local Village Hotel, Travel Lodge, Premier Inn etc there are two hotels just outside Basingstoke that I can recommend that offer a more luxurious stay. Oakley Hall in Oakley and Tylney Hall in Rotherwick. Both offer delicious afternoon teas too!

Great pubs, cafe’s bars and restaurants to try on your visit:

  • Barton’s Mill, Old Basing
  • The Holly Blue, Beggarwood
  • Alchemy Bar and Lounge, Basingstoke Town Centre
  • Chennai Express, Basingstoke Town Centre (named the No 1 Indian Restaurant in Hampshire on Trip Advisor)
  • Yamazaki Sushi Bar, Basingstoke Town Centre
  • The Street Bakery, Old Basing
  • The Coffee Barn. Churchill Way E, Basingstoke
  • The Tea Barn, Worting

Transport links are great. Basingstoke is only an hour on the train from London, plus easy routes by train to Manchester, Southampton and the south coast and of course Basingstoke is very close to the wonderful (!) M3.