Tel: 0118 971 4700
Basing House
Redbridge Lane
Old Basing
Hampshire
RG24 7HB
United Kingdom
Tel: 01256 467 294
Constructed in the early 16th century, the ruins of Basing House are the remnants of a house that had a short, yet eventful, history. This English Tudor palace was at one time the largest private house in the country; standing five storeys high and boasting 360 rooms, Basing House was an imposing addition to the Hampshire landscape. Fortified and garrisoned by the Royalists during the English Civil War, the house became a target for the Roundheads who three times seiged the property. Twice the occupants were able to hold their ground, but ultimately the defences were breached. Basing House was sacked, looted and razed by fire. During the summer months the extensive ruins are open for visitors to explore, complemented by an explanatory exhibition.
Redbridge Lane
Old Basing
Hampshire
RG24 7HB
United Kingdom
Tel: 01256 467 294
Constructed in the early 16th century, the ruins of Basing House are the remnants of a house that had a short, yet eventful, history. This English Tudor palace was at one time the largest private house in the country; standing five storeys high and boasting 360 rooms, Basing House was an imposing addition to the Hampshire landscape. Fortified and garrisoned by the Royalists during the English Civil War, the house became a target for the Roundheads who three times seiged the property. Twice the occupants were able to hold their ground, but ultimately the defences were breached. Basing House was sacked, looted and razed by fire. During the summer months the extensive ruins are open for visitors to explore, complemented by an explanatory exhibition.
Jane Austen’s House
Chawton
Hampshire
GU34 1SD
United Kingdom
Tel: 01420 832 262
Chawton, a few miles outside of Basingstoke, is the Hampshire village where Jane Austen spent the last few years of her life. It was within the walls of her 17th century house that Austen wrote Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion. The house was opened in 1947 as a museum dedicated to the life and works of Jane Austen. The museum also hosts regular events that cover Austen's life and the history of the period in more detail. These include lectures, demonstrations and performances of period music.
Chawton
Hampshire
GU34 1SD
United Kingdom
Tel: 01420 832 262
Chawton, a few miles outside of Basingstoke, is the Hampshire village where Jane Austen spent the last few years of her life. It was within the walls of her 17th century house that Austen wrote Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion. The house was opened in 1947 as a museum dedicated to the life and works of Jane Austen. The museum also hosts regular events that cover Austen's life and the history of the period in more detail. These include lectures, demonstrations and performances of period music.
Milestones
Leisure Park
Churchill Way West
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG22 6PG
United Kingdom
Tel: 0845 603 5635
Winner of the Social and Industrial History Award under the National Heritage Museum of the Year scheme, Milestones is an “open-air” museum recreating street scenes from the late Victorian to the early 1940s. However, this is one open-air museum where visitors need not worry about the weather; all of the street scenes are contained within a hangar-like space. Visitors to Milestones can wend their way through a network of streets, completed with village green and pub. The streets are more than just static displays; visitors can interact with costumed performers who, quite literally, bring the past to life. After exploring the museum, visitors can enjoys a meal or drink in the café or Edwardian-style pub, and buy a reminder of their visit in the gift shop.
Leisure Park
Churchill Way West
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG22 6PG
United Kingdom
Tel: 0845 603 5635
Winner of the Social and Industrial History Award under the National Heritage Museum of the Year scheme, Milestones is an “open-air” museum recreating street scenes from the late Victorian to the early 1940s. However, this is one open-air museum where visitors need not worry about the weather; all of the street scenes are contained within a hangar-like space. Visitors to Milestones can wend their way through a network of streets, completed with village green and pub. The streets are more than just static displays; visitors can interact with costumed performers who, quite literally, bring the past to life. After exploring the museum, visitors can enjoys a meal or drink in the café or Edwardian-style pub, and buy a reminder of their visit in the gift shop.
The Vyne
Sherborne St. John
Hampshire
RG24 9HL
United Kingdom
Tel: 01256 883 858
Built in the 16th century as one of the great Tudor Houses, The Vyne was originally the home of Lord Sandys, Lord Chamberlain to Henry VIII. The king himself visited the house at least three times. Later, the house came in to the ownership of the Chute family for over 350 years until 1958, when the house was bequeathed to the National Trust. The Vyne's long history has a family home has meant the original structure has undergone many changes, rendering The Vyne an interesting mix of styles and fashions. This extends to the contents of the house as well with its eclectic mix of items. The grounds of the house contain woodlands and a wetlands nesting site popular with twitchers. Visitors to The Vyne who work up an appetite exploring the extensive house and grounds can recharge with a delicious meal at the Tudor Brewhouse restaurant.
Sherborne St. John
Hampshire
RG24 9HL
United Kingdom
Tel: 01256 883 858
Built in the 16th century as one of the great Tudor Houses, The Vyne was originally the home of Lord Sandys, Lord Chamberlain to Henry VIII. The king himself visited the house at least three times. Later, the house came in to the ownership of the Chute family for over 350 years until 1958, when the house was bequeathed to the National Trust. The Vyne's long history has a family home has meant the original structure has undergone many changes, rendering The Vyne an interesting mix of styles and fashions. This extends to the contents of the house as well with its eclectic mix of items. The grounds of the house contain woodlands and a wetlands nesting site popular with twitchers. Visitors to The Vyne who work up an appetite exploring the extensive house and grounds can recharge with a delicious meal at the Tudor Brewhouse restaurant.
The Willis Museum
Market Place
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG21 7QD
United Kingdom
Tel: 01256 465 902
The Willis Museum tells the history of Basingstoke, starting with the archaeological evidence for inhabitation in the area through to the current day. Recreations of period scenes help to bring the past to life. A regularly changing series of special exhibitions ensure that there is always something new for the regular visitor to see. The museum's Sainsbury Gallery plays hosts to exhibits from some of the finest museums and galleries in the country, as well as providing a showcase for local artists. Visitors to the Willis Museum can put their feet up in Café Willis and enjoy the range of coffees, teas and locally made cakes.
Market Place
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG21 7QD
United Kingdom
Tel: 01256 465 902
The Willis Museum tells the history of Basingstoke, starting with the archaeological evidence for inhabitation in the area through to the current day. Recreations of period scenes help to bring the past to life. A regularly changing series of special exhibitions ensure that there is always something new for the regular visitor to see. The museum's Sainsbury Gallery plays hosts to exhibits from some of the finest museums and galleries in the country, as well as providing a showcase for local artists. Visitors to the Willis Museum can put their feet up in Café Willis and enjoy the range of coffees, teas and locally made cakes.