Basingstoke

Milestones Museum

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!

Address: Milestones Museum, Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG22 6PG

Telephone: 01256 639550

Email: Send email

Website: Milestone House

Admission times: Tue to Sun 10am-4.45pm. Milestones is closed on Mondays, excluding school holidays.

Admission charge: See website for details.

Toilets: Yes

Refreshments: Yes

Shop: Yes (toys, games & gifts inspired by the museum collections).

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.

Basing House

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.

Address: Basing House, Redbridge Lane, Old Basing, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 7HB

Telephone: 01256 463965

Email: Send email

Website: Basing House

Admission times: See website for details as entry times may change due to events.

Admission charge: See website for details. With your ticket, you can return to Basing House as many times as you like for a whole year.

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.

Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre

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.

Address: Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre, Mytchett Place Road, Mytchett, Surrey GU16 6DD

Telephone: 07305 340547

Email: Send email

Website: Basingstoke Canal

Admission times: April to September (Monday to Sunday): 10.30am-4.45pm). October to March (Tuesday to Thursday: 10.30am-4pm), Friday 10.30am-3.45pm). Please note some times are provisional, so check before you visit.

Admission charge: Free

Toilets: Yes

Refreshments: Yes

*Accessibility: Disabled Parking, Disabled persons toilet, Ramp/Level Access, Wheelchair user accessible

Gift shop:* Yes

Directions from the M3: Exit at Jn 4, follow A331 towards Farnborough, then come off at Mytchett

Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery

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. At the Sainsbury Gallery visitors can see major regional and national exhibitions.

Address: Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery, Market Place, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7QD

Telephone: 01256 465902

Email: Send email

Website: Willis Museum

Admission times: See website for details.

Admission charge: Free

Toilets: Yes

Baby change: Yes

Refreshments: Yes

Gift shop: Yes

Directions from the M3: Exit at Jn 6. Follow signs for Town Centre and then brown signs to The Top of Town.

The Vyne Tudor Mansion

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.

Address: The Vyne Tudor Mansion, Sherborne St John, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 9HL

Telephone: 01256 883858

Email: Send email

Website: The Vyne Tudor Mansion

Admission times: See website for details

Prices: See website for details

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.