If you are looking for summer holiday ideas or family fun throughout the week then this post is for you. We have over 40 things to do in Basingstoke ideas which include attractions and activities.
These are the best places to go with your family throughout the year. Most of these are outdoors but we do have a few indoor activities further down the list.
If you are looking for more things to do in Hampshire then make sure you have a look at:
14 Free Museums in Hampshire For Families – These are the best free museums in Hampshire for the whole family.
A Huge Guide to the Best Beaches in Hampshire – We love the beach and Hampshire has so many amazing sandy beaches to visit.
33 Half Term Activities in Hampshire That Are Free – These are the best half term places you must visit as a family.
Country Parks in Basingstoke
If your family like to hike or even cycle around then here are some local treks that are great for all ages. Most are free but some do charge for parking or for any extra activities they may have onsite. Make sure you have a look at our full list of country parks in Hampshire here.
| Name | Description |
| Wellington Country Park Odiham Rd, Riseley, Reading RG7 1SP | Wellington Country Park is a 350 acres site that you can enjoy. There is an outdoor center that is chargeable but the rest of the country park is free to explore and have fun around. |
| Binfields Woodland Park 16 Elvetham Rise, Chineham, Basingstoke RG24 8ET | This woodland is great for the whole family. Walkthrough the trees and see how many bugs you can spot. |
| Yateley Common Country Park Yateley GU46 6BE | Mostly flat, Yateley Common Country Park is the perfect place to fish with the kids or bird watch while enjoying a family picnic. Bring the bikes as the ground is mostly flat. They have free parking within easy walk of the park. |
| Bassetts Mead Country Park London Rd, Hook RG27 9EH | Bassetts Mead Country Park offers free parking and is a great circular walk. It takes you along the riverfront which is great for spotting fish and other water creatures. Explore the fields and long grass for the local wildlife too. |
| Walled Garden Down Grange Sports Complex, Pack Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire. RG22 4ET | These gardens are about 2 acres with a great pond and stunning flowers. There’s so much history here and it’s a great place for the kids to explore. |
| Basing Wood 100 Carpenters Down, Sherborne St John, Basingstoke RG24 9PJ | Explore the local wood and see how much wildlife you can spot. We’ve seen deer and rabbits through the trees on a quiet day. It has a great play area and loads of different walks so you never get bored! |
| Old Down Woodland Park 49 Firecrest Rd, Basingstoke RG22 5UL | This is a huge green space that can see found on foot from Firecrest Road. It has a small car park next to the community building with a small playground. Walk one of the smaller paths to enjoy the local wildlife. Bring the buggy or bikes as the route is mostly flat. |
Walks in Basingstoke
If your family love walks or playing in the tall grass then these walks through Basingstoke are for you. Make sure you check out our full list of walks in Hampshire post here.
| Name | Description |
| Russell Howard Park St Andrew’s Rd, Basingstoke RG22 6PT | If you are looking for somewhere buggy friendly then Russell Howard Park is for you. It’s perfect for scooters or bikes on a nice day and a great place to do circuits. |
| Basingstoke Canal Mytchett Place Road,Mytchett, SurreyGU16 6DD | The canal is a lovely 32 mile work that starts in Hampshire and stops in Surrey. The canal passes through rolling fields and beautiful cottages. It’s the perfect play to explore or relax with a great view of the boats that are passing by. There is a picnic area, playground and a tearoom onsite. There’s loads of parking and it’s a great place for the whole family. |
| The War Memorial Park Basingstoke RG21 3AE | This is a lovely big park that has loads of mature trees and different walks to explore. You can relax throughout the park, enjoy the bandstand. Get the kids to bring their bikes or scooters as there is a skate park to enjoy too. |
| Crabtree Plantation London Rd, Old Basing, Basingstoke RG24 7HB | This used to be part of the Hackwood Estate. The woodland is full of lovely trees and there’s loads of different footpaths you can take to explore. Why not visit to explore the local wildlife? See how many butterflies you can spot and how many off the beaten paths you can find. |
| Basingstoke Common Redbridge Ln, Old Basing, Basingstoke RG24 7HB | Basingstoke Common is a huge area that is great for spotting the local horses. It’s a lovely picturesque location and a great place for the kids to run around. There is a playground close by and loads of different walks for the whole family. |
| Watership Down Ecchinswell, Newbury RG20 9AA | With free parking and and great cycle paths, Watership Down is full of ancient history and rolling hillsides. Take the kids for a picnic and a run around. This is a great day out for the whole family. |
| Silchester Roman Walls Silchester, Reading RG7 2HP | This is a great quiet attraction that you only know about if you’ve found it. The car park is little but all the trails are clearly marked and great for all ages. The amphitheater is a short walk from the car park and is a real sight to see. The paths can be rocky though so make sure that everyone has good shoes on. |
| Black Dam Ponds Basingstoke RG21 3QR | These ponds are a great place to spot wildlife like ducks and fishes. There are plenty of places to have a picnic. Go for a lovely walk through the trees or around the ponds to fully explore the local area. |
| Hatch Warren Park 1 Holst Cl, Basingstoke RG22 4JA | This is a great place for the whole family. Enjoy the local playground and the local fields. The local community normally runs loads of local events so make sure you check out their website too. |
| Sherfield Park Rockbourne Rd, Sherfield on Loddon, Hook RG27 0SR | Sherfield Park has a huge football pitch for the kids and has a great space for the whole family to relax in. |
| Eastrop Park Eastrop Ln, Basingstoke RG21 4QB | This has a great boating lake, tree trail and children’s play area. The field is a great place to meet friends and family. |
| Alice Holt Forest Farnham GU10 4LS | This is a family favourite of ours. There are different walking trails depending on the terrain. You can bring your bikes and dogs on leads. There’s a great playground and why not see how many of the Gruffalo sculptures you can spot too? |
| Millfield Nature Reserve Old Basing, Basingstoke RG24 8AE | This is a lovely place to spot wildlife and go for a great muddy walk. |
| Popley Community Park Basingstoke RG24 9NU | This has two playgrounds and loads of places to have a picnic. There is plenty of parking and a field to enjoy the nice weather. |
| Hoddington Park 15 Weston Cl, Upton Grey, Basingstoke RG25 2RX | Hoddington Park is a huge mansion that has sweeping fields and gardens. |
| Down Grange Meadow Basingstoke RG22 5SN | This beautiful site is made up of lovely fields and wildlife. Visit with your wellies and enjoy a long walk through these sweeping hills. |
| Beggarwood Park Basingstoke RG22 4WS | This is a big open space that includes a big playground, outdoor gym and a number of footpaths to explore. |
Related Posts:
- The Ultimate Guide to Things to do in Southampton With Kids
- 9 Fun Walks in Hampshire That Are Child Friendly
- 33 Half Term Activities in Hampshire That Are Free
Basingstoke Trails
These trails are great self-guided tours that you can explore with the whole family.
Basing Trail
Jane Austen Trail
Cliddesden and Ellisfield Trail
Kempshott and Pardown Trail
Skate Parks in Basingstoke
Basingstoke have loads of amazing skate parks! If you are looking for more skate parks in Hampshire then read our post The Biggest List of Skate Parks in Hampshire.
| Name | Description |
| Basingstoke skatepark Ringway South, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 3QR | Basingstoke skatepark is a free to use metal concrete park that is fully outdoors. It’s great for all types of rider as it has back and front runs with flat banks at either side. |
| Chineham skatepark Longstock Cl, Chineham, Basingstoke RG24 8WR | Chineham Skatepark is a huge skatepark that has mini ramps, pipes, flat banks, jump boxes and ledges. This is a great skatepark for beginners to intermediates. It’s surrounded by a huge field with a forest and has a small car park. |
| Mill Field Skatepark Mill Field Lane Nature Reserve, Off Bartons Lane, Old Basing, Basingstoke, RG24 8AN | This is a free metal skate park that has a tarmac base. It has a quarter pipe and funbox. |
| Oakley skatepark Station Rd, Oakley, Basingstoke RG23 7HD | Made up of wooden ramps, this small slate park has a ramp and funbox. |
| Tadley skatepark Tadley Common Rd, Silchester Rd, Tadley RG26 3PX | This is a concrete skate park that has a quarter pipe and funbox. |
Museums in Basingstoke
If it’s a rainy day or you want a family day out with a difference then try one of these Basingstoke museums. Have a look at our free list of museums throughout Hampshire here.
| Name | Description |
| Milestones Museum Basingstoke Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke RG22 6PG | Milestones Museum is about 10 minutes from Whitchurch but is a great family-friendly museum. Run by Hampshire Cultural Trust, the Milestones Museum walks you through our history on cobbled streets and through the vehicles we’ve used and the shops we used to visit. This is really is a living history museum that lets you explore and interact with the past. |
| Willis Museum | Open all year round, this is a local working museum with galleries on local archaeology and natural science. Learn more about Basingstoke and the history around you through the ages. |
| Whitchurch Silk Mill 28 Winchester Street, Whitchurch, Hampshire, RG28 7AL | Whitchurch Silk Mill is a 19th-century watermill that weaves English silk fabrics. The mill is believed to be the last surviving example of silk weaving by hand. The weaving sheds show what it would have been like to work over the looms and how, in time, production grew and how it changed. |
| Basing House The St, Old Basing, Basingstoke RG24 7BH | There is so much to do at Basing House. Discover and explore the ruins and visit the gardens and gatehouse. It’s great for a picnic spot or an explore on a Winter’s day. |
| Curtis Museum Curtis Museum at High Street, Alton GU34 1BA | Open all year, Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am to 5pm, the Curtis Museum houses a collection by Dr William Curtis and his associates in the local Mechanics Institute. The museum covers 100 million years of history and displays include prehistoric tools, Roman pottery reconstruction, Saxon burials, the Battle of Alton 1643 and the notorious tale of Sweet Fanny Adams. |
| The Vyne – National Trust Vyne Rd, Sherborne St John, Basingstoke RG24 9HL | This is a National Trust site so you do need tickets but it’s so worth it. You have the huge house to explore and the gardens as well. Take a picnic and enjoy this great local day out. |
| Basingstoke Miniature Railway The Harrow Way, Basingstoke RG22 4BJ | This has a free car park and free entry to the railway. There is a charge to ride the trains but it’s so worth it when you see the kids faces. |
| Highclere Castle Highclere Park, Highclere, Newbury RG20 9RN | Highclere Castle, the base for Downton Abbey, is a huge house that is steeped in history. Make sure you get to really explore the gardens as well. |
| The Manor House Church Street, Upton Grey, Basingstoke RG25 2RD | Make sure you visit the huge gardens that are in full of bloom in the summer. |
Castles in Basingstoke
These are the best castles in Basingstoke. If you looking for more in Hampshire then have a look at The Best Castles in Hampshire.
| Name | Description |
| Odiham Castle North Warnborough, Hook RG29 1HQ | Also known as “King John’s Castle”, this is located right by the Basingstoke canal. It’s a great place steeped in local history that the whole family can enjoy together. It’s free to visit too! |
| Calleva Artrebatum Roman Town Silchester, Reading RG7 2HP | This ruined castle is a great fortress that the kids can run around. Let them explore the history and the green space throughout these runes. |
| Stratfield Saye House Reading RG7 2BZ | Set in the beautiful grounds of Wellington Country Park, this house is full of history. This is a good day out for older kids as the house walks you through what it was like to live there many years ago. |
Laura x
If you enjoyed this post and would like some more ideas on things to do in Hampshire then head over to the Things To Do section here on Things To Do In Hampshire With Kids where you’ll find over 50 day out ideas in Hampshire that the whole family will enjoy. You could also pop over and follow our Facebook page here or our Hampshire days out Pinterest boards for lots more ideas on what you can do as a family in Hampshire; Days Out For The Kids in Hampshire and Cheap and Free Days Out in Hampshire.
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