Location: Basingstoke
Top Things to do in Basingstoke
What to do and see in Basingstoke, England: The Best Concerts & Shows
Basingstoke (/ˈbeɪzɪŋstoʊk/ BAY-zing-stohk) is the largest town in the modern county of Hampshire (Southampton and Portsmouth being cities.) It is situated in south central England, and lies across a valley at the source of the River Loddon. It is located 30 miles (48 km) northeast of Southampton, 48 miles (77 km) southwest of London, and 19 miles (31 km) northeast of the county town and former capital Winchester. According to the 2016 population estimate the town had a population of 113,776. It is part of the borough of Basingstoke and Deane and part of the parliamentary constituency of Basingstoke. Basingstoke is often nicknamed "Doughnut City" or "Roundabout City" because of the number of large roundabouts.
Restaurants in Basingstoke
1. Jan Jack's Laughter-House Comedy Club
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
Jan Jack's Laughter-House is a small buzzy comedy club bringing you top comedians from the UK circuit (est 2007). Comedy nights are usually the second Thursday in the month. Doors open 7.30pm show starts at 8.00pm. Book early to avoid disappointment. Tickets available through website.
Reviewed By miekesvb - Basingstoke, United Kingdom
We have been to a few times now to Jan Jacks laughter house and everytime we have a great evening full of laughs. It has a good atmosphere and there is always a varity of acts so something for everyone. Would recommend a visit.
2. The Anvil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 313 reviews
The Anvil is one of Hampshire’s largest entertainment venues and offers a wide range of entertainment for all ages including stand-up comedy, theatre, ballet & opera, classical music, pop concerts and pantomime. This year we’ve welcomed top class performers including Lee Evans, Boy George and Billy Ocean and also had the pleasure of hosting one-off events such as the last UK concert appearance of the great pianist Alfred Brendel.
Reviewed By onhols4ever
Have been coming here (and The Haymarket) for years as it’s our ‘local’. Plays...music...children’s shows... panto... comedians...dance... we’ve seen them all. Just never thought to do a revue before! It’s a lovely friendly venue which in my humble opinion has got comfy seats with adequate legroom...plenty of loos in the ladies...helpful staff ...and ample parking right above with a train station literally steps from the door. I know this review should be for the actual venue but I have to mention the show we saw! Packed audience to see Anton and Erin...and we loved it! I was a bit hesitant as I thought it might be the two of them waltzing around all night. Far from it actually! Two great singers (love Lance Ellington’s voice...he used to sing in Strictly and is the son of the big band leader)...6 other dancers...and a fantastic orchestra. There was something for everyone...old style musicals right up to a fantastic take on The Greatest Showman...and a surprisingly entertaining Q&A section too. Anton comes across as a lovely man actually...not cocky at all as he sometimes appears to be on Strictly...lovely to the children in the audience...kind but not in the least condescending to a young lady he got up to dance with him. Now I can see why he has such a huge following! Very mixed audience.....men/women old/young. Thoroughly enjoyed it! TOP TIPS! Parking . We find it much easier to come in to the car park up the ramp by Basingstoke station...and much quicker to get out too! . Time your entry into the car park so your ticket is issued just after 7pm...ours was 7.05 and we had plenty of time. Only then can you buy your car park ticket BEFORE you go to the show! Nifty eh? Saves queuing up at the machines after with all the hoards!! . Go round to the right and keep going when parking so you can park as close as possible to the ‘out’ slope. . If you’re fit and healthy run up the flights of stairs...jump in the car with your pre paid ticket...and you’ll be out of the car park before most are even in the lift! SEATING TIP We’ve had seats all over to be honest but the ones we had for this show in the very centre of row K were great! There is a good ‘rake’ in the Anvil apart from the very front stalls so most seats are ok unless you get someone very tall or fidgety in front of you!
3. (Top of town) The White Hart
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
- Pool Table - Juke Box - Dart Board - Gaming Machines - Live Music Every Friday & Saturday - Meat Raffle - Rock DJ Nights - Function Room For Hire - Poker Nights - Ska And Reggae DJ
Reviewed By JPB987
I hired the function for a 50th birthday party; the hall was perfect for our needs, we had a great night. The White Hart team were friendly and very helpful. The buffet exceeded my expectations, in both quality and quantity. Thank you for making our evening special.
4. Haymarket Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By 276felicityf - Reading, United Kingdom
The Haymarket theatre is a gem: modern where it needs to be (box office, bar, lavatories), with a stylishly antique facade and auditorium. The seats are 'raked' so no-one has to suffer the annoyance of a very tall person in from of them obliterating their view, and very comfortable. The reason for my visit was to see Andy Fairweather-Low and the Low Riders. It was an evening of truly fabulous entertainment in a lovely place. The evening *could* have been marred by the complexity of Basingstoke Borough Council's parking machines in Wote Street, which charge even on a Sunday evening. The instructions are not clear, and after-dark it's almost impossible to see the numbers and letters for entering your car registration to obtain a ticket. Fortunately, a group of us struggled through it together, using the light from our phones! I might otherwise have given up and gone home before the performance.
5. Proteus Creative Space
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
