Basingstoke which is situated in the county of Hampshire provides a great base for your vacation with the area having so many pretty villages to discover and enjoy the wonderful hospitality, you will also find all types of accommodation for your stay suiting all budgets and desires from Inns with open fires to luxury hotels.

Exploring Basingstoke situated in Hampshire the town itself may not be deemed as a beautiful town that would attract visitors, but it has some interesting and modern developments. The Parish Church of St Michael is in design mainly Perpendicular and has been restored. Inside can be seen the Royal Arms of Elizabeth, James the first and William the third and some early l6th century glass in the south aisle and the south chapel. This originated from the old Chapel of the Holy Ghost, which is to be found in a cemetery near the station. Founded in 1525 by Bishop Fox and Lord Sandys, who also built The Vyne near Sherborne St John, parts still survive to this day.

The Willis Museum which is located in New Street contains geological and archaeological finds and much else concerning the history of Hampshire. Round about there is much to see. Herriard Park Garders lie only 4 miles to the south on the A339, with 5 acres of beautiful gardens, including a walled rose garden, open to the public. Wincklebury camp, on and half miles to the  north west of Basingstoke, is an ancient earthwork covering nearly 20 acres. Signs of both rampart and ditch can still be seen. Some of the surrounding villages are charming.

Dummer which is some five miles to the south west has some pretty cottages some of which are thatched, and an interesting church. The nave is Perpendicular and chancel Early English, and it has an interesting l5th centuary rood canopy and a very early pulpit. In the 19th century cremation urns dating from prehistoric times were found in this area, but are now in Reading and Southampton museums. Dummer lies near Farleigh Hill, which gives fine views over four counties. And only one mile away lies Deane, an attractive old village.

Preston Candover which is to be found some eight miles south of Basingstoke, also has charm, and the area must have been in habited since earliest times, for ancient barrows lie hereabouts, Roman and Bronze Age remains have been discovered, and the Droveway probably an ancient track for driving sheep is nearby.

Upton Grey is located about four miles south east off Basingstoke it is also an attractive village, with a pond, willow trees and some l7th centuary cottages. Finally there is Steventon, a pleasantly secluded village about five miles to the south west of Basingstoke, It is famous as the birthplace of Jane Austen. The church where her father preached.

• Basingstoke Hampshire Geolocation Latitude 51.2683593° N Longitude -1.0894337° E
• Basingstoke Hampshire Postcode RG21
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