Basingstoke

Basingstoke is a town in northeast Hampshire, England. It lies across a valley at the source of the River Loddon. The town is 77 km (48 miles) southwest of London and 48 km (30 miles) north of Southampton. Basingstoke had an estimated population of 80,477 in 2006 and is part of the borough of Basingstoke and Deane. It is the birthplace of Burberry and home of the AA (Automobile Association).

Basingstoke is often mistaken for a new town. In fact, it appeared in the Domesday Book, and grew as a small market town. During the Civil War, and the seige of Basing House between 1643 and 1645, the town played host to large numbers of Parliamentarians. Basingstoke remains a town and still has a regular market. The town became industrial during the Victorian Era, and the railway was built. It later saw the arrival of breweries and Thornycroft, the freight vehicle manufacturers.

In the late-1960s, Basingstoke town centre was completely rebuilt. At this time many buildings of historic interest were replaced by a large red brick shopping centre and concrete multi-storey car park. However, the new Festival Place regeneration work has done a lot of good for the town.