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Basingstoke is a town in the borough of Basingstoke and Deane, in Hampshire, England. It is about 77 km (48 mi) southwest of London. It is a town with many roundabouts, leading to it being nicknamed the Doughnut City or Roundabout City. Basingstoke has a population of 84,000 people (2012 estimate).
Basingstoke, Hampshire, England: Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:London_Road,_Basingstoke_-_geograph.org.uk_-_22428.jpgAuthor: David Medcalf
Basingstoke is stituated in a valley. The area has been inhabited since the Iron Age, as evident in the hillfort at Winklebury, about 3.2 km (2 mi) from the town center. The Romans also left their mark in the area, in the form of a Roman road that runs from Winchester to Silchester.
Basingstoke was already a market town when it appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086. During the English Civil War, the town was sympathethic to the Parliamentarians. Its local parish church St Michael's was damaged during the siege of Basing House between 1643 and 1645.
Milestones Museum, Basingstoke: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Milestones_Living_Museum,_Basingstoke_-_geograph.org.uk_-_40369.jpgAuthor: Dave Jacobs
Basingstoke began to industrialize from the 17th century. Among the industries in the town include textile, malting and brewery. The British luxury brand Burberry was founded in Basingtoke in 1856.
Basingstoke was severely damaged during the Second World War. After the war it experienced rapid redevelopment. A big shopping center was built in the heart of town, replacing many of the historic buildings that were destroyed in the war. Part of the shopping center was rebuilt in 2022 and rebranded as Festival Place.
St Michael's Church, Basingstoke: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Michaels_Church,_Basingstoke.jpgAuthor: Roland Turner
Visiting Basingstoke
Basingstoke can be reached from London by taking the M3 motorway until Exit 6. The town is just beside the motorway.Places of Interest in Basingstoke
- Festival Place: Shopping center in Basingstoke which opened in October 2002.
- Milestones Museum: Museum providing a glimpse of the Victorian period by recreating the street scene of the era.
- St Michael's Church, Basingstoke: Anglican parish church in Basingstoke, a Grade I listed building. Much of it was built in the 16th century.
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