From humble beginnings as a post-war London overspill, Basingstoke has become a town of major economic importance. With excellent transport links, lots of green spaces and a growing reputation for business innovation, Basingstoke has plenty to offer residents, visitors, and entrepreneurs alike.
Read on to discover why we love Basingstoke and what makes it such a brilliant place to live, work, or run a business.
If you are looking for a flexible and inspiring workspace in Basingstoke, consider one of Arena Offices two locations in Basing View. Call today to arrange a visit.
1. Rich history
Basingstoke and the surrounding areas are bursting with thousands of years of history and numerous sites of cultural significance.
To the north lies the National Trust heritage site of The Vyne – a grand country estate and Tudor mansion that belonged to Baron William Sandys, friend and Lord Chamberlain to Henry VIII. Henry visited The Vyne three times, once accompanied by his second wife Anne Boleyn (…who Sandys himself later escorted to The Tower of London on the count of high treason).
The nearby village of Silchester is an English Heritage site, featuring some of the best-preserved Roman town defences in the country, as well as the remains of an amphitheatre. The village was once the major Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum, which flourished until the early Anglo-Saxon period.
More recently (relatively that is!), the Great Barn at Basing House in Old Basing was an important site during the English Civil War. In 1645, Oliver Cromwell led troops to end a two-year siege of the house, the home of the loyalist Paulet family.
2. The great outdoors
Although Basingstoke is a bustling town, it is surrounded by acres of beautiful countryside.
Miles of sprawling, untouched countryside extend to the south, whilst a collection of picturesque villages is scattered to the east of the town. The area to the west of Basingstoke is ‘Jane Austen country’ and leads to the town of Chawton, where Austen lived for the last eight years of her life.
There is also plenty of green space within the town itself, with Eastrop Park providing a peaceful rural haven within a few minutes’ walk from the town centre and one of the town's leading business parks, Basing View.
3. Shopping, culture and leisure
Festival Place
You can enjoy a spot of retail therapy at Festival Place: a major shopping centre with over 150 stores and restaurants, right in the centre of Basingstoke. The centre is also home to a 10-screen multiplex cinema.
Top of Town
The 'Top of Town' is the town's historic centre. Here, you'll find the Haymarket Theatre, a variety of pubs, restaurants, independent shops, and the Market Place, which still hosts a traditional street market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Leisure
If you're seeking an adrenaline fix, Basingstoke may not immediately spring to mind! But the town is home to the UK’s first purpose-built Parkour and Free Running Academy. Extreme sports-lovers can also enjoy free-falling through the air at Basingstoke’s indoor skydiving facility. For those who prefer thrills of the aquatic kind, the Aquadrome has fun water slides and flumes to enjoy.
5. Economic success
Basingstoke has developed into a major economic centre, with a strong presence in tech, communications, insurance, electronics and engineering. In 2022, Basingstoke was home to 7,315 active enterprises, providing 85,000 jobs and contributing a Gross Value Added (GVA) of £8.03 billion to the UK economy. This represented a 14% year-on-year growth, which was significantly higher than the 9% growth seen in both the South East and the UK as a whole.
Much of this growth was driven by strong performances in the services sector, which saw a £784 million increase, alongside notable gains in the professional, scientific and technical sectors (+£266 million) and construction (+£190 million). Source: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Read more about what the town has to offer in our article Why Basingstoke is a great place to base your business
Looking for your ideal workspace in Basingstoke?
If you are inspired by the potential of Basingstoke, why not make it your business home? Located in vibrant Basing View, Arena’s Grosvenor House and The Square offer premium, flexible office space with modern design, superfast connectivity, and onsite support. Just steps from Eastrop Park, and a short walk from Festival Place and the station, they’re the smart choice for businesses seeking convenience, quality, and a professional base to grow.
Contact the Arena team today to arrange a tour. Whether you're just starting out or ready to expand, we’re here to support your journey in Basingstoke.