A small market town and site of a major Civil War battle, Basingstoke's population rose dramatically during the 1960s when London overspill residents arrived in the town, from a small market town Basingstoke has become an important place for business, attracting such companies as Eli Lilly and the AA to set up their UK bases here. In fact the AA's Farnum House skyscraper is thought to be the tallest building on a direct line between London and New York!

 

In recent years Basingstoke has seen it's population rise even further and new facilities have sprung up. The Milestones Museum is the envy of many other towns and car enthusiasts flock from all over to see the Thorneycroft collection (most of which was built opposite the museum at Thorneycroft's Brookvale factory in the early to mid 20th century), which is kept in the care of the Museum.

 

In 2002 the Festival Place shopping centre opened it's doors and has seen hundreds of thousands visit the centre, sampling it's designer shops, faboulous restaurants and superb 10 screen cinema. Another new addition to the town has been the Aquadrome, a pool complex complete with Lagoon, Flumes and a 25 metre pool.

 

Famous residents have included Hollywood Actress Elizabeth Hurley  and John Arlott - Poet and Cricket Commentator who watched his first Cricket match at the beautiful Mays Bounty Cricket Ground.