Useful links
Other people who know Basingstoke.
We can't cover everything, so here are the sites we actually use: news, councils, listings, history and the practical bits. A short list, picked by hand.
Local news
For what's actually happening, rather than what a press release says is happening.
Basingstoke Gazette
The town's long-running local paper, for news, court reports, planning rows and the occasional roundabout. Expect adverts and some stories behind a paywall.
Councils and public services
Two councils, different jobs. If one says it isn't them, it's usually the other.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Bins, council tax, planning applications, parks and the council's own car parks. Most "who do I tell about this?" questions start here.
Basingstoke Discovery Centre
The main library, inside Festival Place. Opening hours, events and rooms to hire, plus free Wi-Fi and computers.
Hampshire County Council
The other council. Roads and potholes, schools, libraries, social care and the tip are run by the county, not the borough.
Shopping and visiting
Opening times, independents and the practical details before you head into town.
AccessAble
Detailed access guides for venues around the borough, including step-free routes, toilets and parking. Worth checking before a first visit anywhere.
Festival Place
Opening times, the store directory and car parking for the shopping centre most visits to town pass through.
Our guide: Festival Place
Love Basingstoke
The council's own showcase for the borough, with things to do, where to eat and a what's-on list for larger events. Run by the council's place marketing team, so it is cheerful by design.
The Borough Basket
A directory of independent shops and makers across Basingstoke and Deane, set up by the Love Basingstoke team. Handy when you want to buy something that didn't come from a chain.
What's on
Gigs, comedy, panto and everything else with a ticket.
Anvil Arts
Listings and tickets for The Anvil, The Haymarket and The Forge. One site covers the town's three main stages.
Our guide: The Anvil
History and heritage
Museums, plus the local societies who know far more than we do.
Basingstoke Archaeological & Historical Society
Monthly talks from September to June, plus local digs, visits and publications, for when one museum visit isn't enough.
Basingstoke Heritage Society
The people behind the town's blue plaques, who also keep an eye on planning in the conservation areas.
Friends of the Willis Museum
The museum's supporters' charity. Talks, outings and a surprisingly deep set of Basingstoke history notes and old photos.
Milestones Museum
Tickets, opening times and seasonal events for the recreated indoor streets of Hampshire life at Leisure Park.
Our guide: Milestones Museum
Willis Museum & Sainsbury Gallery
Opening days and current exhibitions at the free museum in the old Town Hall at the Top of the Town.
Our guide: Willis Museum & Sainsbury Gallery
Getting around
Trains, buses and live times, for when the car isn't the answer.
Basingstoke station
Live departures, station facilities and step-free access information from National Rail.
bustimes.org
Every bus route and stop in Basingstoke on one page, across all operators, including community transport and long-distance coaches.
Stagecoach
Timetables, tickets and the journey planner for the operator that runs most local bus routes.
Community and volunteering
Ways to get involved once you've run out of roundabouts to admire.
Basingstoke Voluntary Action
Find a volunteering role, look up local community groups, or get help running one. Also organises the borough's wellbeing walks.
The small print
We're not connected to any of these sites and nobody pays to be listed. We check the links regularly, but if one has moved, closed or changed, please let us know.
Know a local site that deserves a place here? Suggest it. We keep the list short on purpose, so not everything will make it.
Keep exploring
Back to our own pages
The places we've been and written up ourselves.