Basingstoke

Basingstoke is an old market town in Hampshire, just off Junction 6 of the M3. There's plenty to do here if you're in need of a stop-off. Just watch out for all the roundabouts that have given Basingstoke its nickname of 'Doughnut city'!

Take your pick from canal-side museums, Edwardian-style pubs, Tudor chapels and fantastic gardens. You should find something to suit you here...

Milestones Museum

Address: Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG22 6PG
Telephone: 0845 603 5635
Website: Milestone House
Admission times: Tue to Fri, Bank Hols, 10am-5pm. Sat and Sun, 11am-5pm. Last admission 4pm.
Admission charge: Adult £7.50, Concession £6.75, Child (5 to 15) £4.50, Family (2+2) £22. Annual Pass holders, under 5s free
Toilets: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
From the M3: From Junction 6 of the M3 follow the brown tourist signs for 'Leisure Park', driving clockwise around the ring road. At the Thornycroft Roundabout (you will see Milestones ahead of you), take the first exit into Churchill Way West (B3400), for Milestones and the Leisure Park. Go up to, and all the way round the next roundabout. Enter the Leisure Park via Entrance B, signed Milestones, and turn right. The museum lies straight ahead.

Imagine an open-air museum inside a massive modern building – a network of streets with shops, a village green and even a pub, dating from the Edwardian times! This fun and surprising living history museum is packed full of the things that ordinary people used in the past. There are regular exhibitions and family-friendly events. A great way to spend a few hours!

Basing House

Address: Redbridge Lane, Old Basing, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 7HB
Telephone: 0845 603 5635
Website: Basing House
Admission times: 1 April to September. Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays, 2pm-6pm
Admission charge: £2 adults, £1 children and OAPs.
Toilets: Yes
Refreshments: No
Directions from the M3: Exit at Jn 6. Basing House is in Old Basing village, 1 mile east of Basingstoke. Follow the signs to Basing House car park which is is on Barton's Lane near the Millstone pub

Visit the remains of the Basing House, once the country's largest private house and the scene of the longest siege in the Civil War – when the house was bombarded and then seized by Oliver Cromwell. The earthwork banks and ditches of an earlier medieval castle dominate the ruins. Visitors can now see an exhibition about the House's fascinating history, join occasional guided tours, and watch period demonstrations. You can also walk through the re-created Jacobean Garden with its Tudor walls.

Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre

Address: Mytchett Place Road, Mytchett, Surrey, GU16 6DD
Telephone:01252 370073
Fax: 01252 371758
Email:
Website: Basingstoke Canal
Admission times: April to September (Tuesday to Friday & Bank Holidays: 10.30am-4.45pm). October to March (Tuesday to Friday: 10am-4pm)
Admission charge: Free
Toilets: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Directions from the M3: Exit at Jn 4, follow A331 towards Farnborough, then come off at Mytchett

The Basingstoke Canal is one of Britain's most beautiful waterways, and a designated nature reserve. As you stroll along the tree-lined banks, admire the 200-year old bridges and locks. Children love the traditional canal boats and are likely to break out into song ("Rosie and Jim, Rosie and Jiiiim etc"). The best place to start your visit is at the Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre at Mytchett, right on the Hampshire and Surrey border.

Willis Museum

Address: Market Place, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7QD
Telephone: 0845 603 5635
Website: Willis Museum
Admission times: Monday to Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm
Admission charge: Free
Toilets: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Directions from the M3: Exit at Jn 6. Follow signs for Town Centre and then brown signs to The Top of Town.

Closed for refurbishment - reopens on 14 April 2009
Basingstoke’s Willis Museum, housed in the Old Town Hall, is in the historic heart of Basingstoke close to Festival Place, the busy town centre. Discover Basingstoke and Deane’s past, from the rich archaeological heritage beneath our feet right up to the modern day. There is always something new to see with a regularly changing programme of special exhibitions, workshops, talks and events, plus family friendly activities, cafe, and gifts.

The Vyne Tudor Mansion

Address: Sherborne St John, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 9HL
Telephone: 01256 883858
Email:
Website: The Vyne Tudor Mansion
Admission times: 11am-5pm at weekends, but check details with house first before setting off
Admission charge: Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets): £9 (£8.18), child £4.50 (£4.09), family £22.50 (£20.45). Groups (£7.77). Grounds only: £5.50 (£5), child £2.75 (£2.50). Reduced rate when arriving by cycle or public transport (applies to house & grounds ticket only)
Toilets: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Directions from the M3: From the north take J6 of the M3, the A33 south of Reading and from the south take J7 of the M3. Follow signs for Town Centre and brown signs to The Top of Town.

Vyne Mansion: You don't have to be Dr Who to travel back in time here. Picture courtesy of the National Trust

This impressive 16th century house and estate dates back to Henry VIII's reign. Highlights include a Tudor chapel with extraordinary Renaissance stained glass, and the wonderful grounds, with lake, meadows, wetlands and woods. The large walled garden is being restored in the hope that it will provide the restaurant with seasonal produce.