LoveBasingstoke

Have you heard of Create and Discover? It's a great way to try something new and explore the creative and cultural experiences cross Basingstoke and Deane, with rewards to unlock along the way. Getting started is easy 👇 ✔ pick up a card from a participating venue ✔ pick an activity ✔ give it a go ✔ scratch the square ✔ get it stamped and reveal your reward How many activities will you try? 🔗 Find out more in the Create and Discover blog on the Love Basingstoke website (Link in Bio). @hampshireschoolofjewellery @WhitchurchSilkMill #CreateAndDiscover #LoveBasingstoke

Happy International Museum Day!🏛️✨ Looking for a great day out in and around Basingstoke? We're lucky to have some brilliant museums right on our doorstep - whether you love history, vintage vehicles, art, or traditional crafts. 🚂 Milestones Museum, RG22 6PG - step back in time and explore Hampshire's living history museum @MilestonesMuseum 🎨 The Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery, RG21 7QD - discover Basingstoke's fascinating heritage and inspiring exhibitions @willismuseum 🧵 Whitchurch Silk Mill, RG28 7AL - the UK's oldest working silk mill, full of history and charm @WhitchurchSilkMill Perfect for a family day out, a rainy-day adventure, or simply discovering something new close to home. Which one is your favourite? 👇 #InternationalMuseumDay #LoveBasingstoke

🍩 It's National Doughnut Week! 🍩 For anybody with a sweet tooth, why not check out some local bakeries and cafes in Basingstoke and Deane this week, and help support some local businesses. Make sure to check out the Street Bakeshop in Old Basing to try some of their famous artisan doughnuts! 📍 Street Bakeshop, Old Basing, RG24 7BW For more recommendations on local bakeries, discover our Taste of Basingstoke blog on the Love Basingstoke website (Link in Bio). @the_street_bakeshop #NationalDoughnutWeek #LoveBasingstoke

Weekend plans sorted? If not, how about a history inspired walk, combining both Local and Community History Month and National Walking Month. Here’s walks and trails that incorporate local history: 👣Whitchurch Heritage Mill Trail Discover five historic watermills on the upper reaches of the River Test. The full trail is a seven-mile walk with options to take shortcuts. Begin your walk at Whitchurch Station or Whitchurch Silk Mill, or you can walk the trail in reverse, starting at Laverstoke. /explore/things-to-do/walks/the-whitchurch-mill-trail 📍Whitchurch RG28 7AJ. 👣Town centre heritage trail A 90 minute self-guided walk of the town centre, starting at 800-year-old Market Place, the historic heart of Basingstoke. /content/page/69951/Heritage%20trail%20leaflet%20accessible.pdf 📍 Market Place, RG21 7QD 👣Holy Ghost Cemetery Choose from one of five self-guided walks. Each walk covers a particular theme and should not take more than thirty minutes to complete. .uk/?page_id=22 📍Chapel Hill, RG21 5TB 👣The Basing Trail The Basing Trail is a waymarked, 7-mile circular walk which starts at Basingstoke Railway Station and leads to the picturesque village of Old Basing. Choose your distance as there are short cuts available at either 2, 3 or 4.5 miles. This trail features the famous Civil War site of Basing House. /content/doclib/1838.pdf 📍Basingstoke town centre, RG21 5TB 👣Overton Jane Austen Trails To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, the Overton Jane Austen Trails have been created to provide walking and cycle trails through the footpaths and bridleways of Overton. /explore/things-to-do/walks/jane-austen-trails-overton-to-steventon 📍Overton, RG25 3HB 👣Sandham Memorial Chapel Walking in Stanley Spencer's Footsteps A free guided walk, walking in Stanley Spencer's footsteps. .uk/visit/hampshire/sandham-memorial-chapel/events/6087ec5d-bd59-457c-946e-310b6afd2959 #LoveBasingstoke #LocalCommunityAndHistoryMonth

🎉 Introducing Create and Discover 🎉 Try something new and explore the creative and cultural experiences across Basingstoke and Deane, with rewards to unlock along the way. From art and dance to theatre, music and more, there’s something for everyone. 📍 Pick up your card from a participating venue and get started. 🔗 Find out more: /news/create-and-discover #CreateAndDiscover #LoveBasingstoke

🍸 It's World CocktaiI Day! 🍸 No matter your style... shaken or stirred, tonight's the night to celebrate in Basingstoke and Deane 🥂 Here are some of our top bar recommendations: - Alchemy Bar and Lounge, RG21 7DZ (Image 1) / - Duck and Tipple, RG21 7NW (Image 2) / - Royal Exchange, RG21 7NY (Image 3) / For more bar recommendations, visit the link below 👇 /Restaurants-g187054-zfg11776-Basingstoke_Hampshire_England.html 🍹Comment any bars that we've missed, that you'd recommend 🍹 #WorldCocktaiIDay #LoveBasingstoke #BasingstokeNights

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Basingstoke and Deane's Cultural Compact have submitted a bid to become the UK’s first #TownOfCulture - and they’re not doing it alone. Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing stories from artists, businesses and organisations who believe in our town’s cultural story and future. We start with Becky Kitter from Scratch Built Productions. Becky is one of many voices supporting the bid to become the UK’s first Town of Culture. Her story, and others, show how culture already thrives here, and why national recognition matters. ""What truly sets Basingstoke apart is the way culture is woven into the fabric of everyday life. The Willis Museum stands as a central stone in our town, offering exhibitions, events, and a sense of shared history right in the heart of the community. Milestones Museum is another gem, bringing local history to life and providing interactive, immersive experiences for people of all ages. These venues aren’t just places to visit; they’re gathering points and destinations that build connection and pride among residents. "" Read more from Becky here: /uk-town-of-culture/becky-kitter Read from others here: /uk-town-of-culture #BackingOurBid #WhereEveryStoryShapesOurFuture

💚 This Mental Health Awareness Week, let's take a moment to check in with ourselves and with each other 💚 Whether it's taking a quiet walk, reaching out to a friend, or simply giving yourself permission to rest, small steps can make a big difference. If you're looking for some simple ways to boost your wellbeing, check out our wellness blog for some inspiration to treat yourself 👉 /news/wellness-experiences-in-basingstoke-and-deane And remember, you're not alone. There are fantastic local organisations and support services here in Basingstoke and Deane ready to listen and help. Here are just some local ones: 💚 Mindspace Foundation, RG21 4AF / 💚 Basingstoke Counselling Service, RG21 4AN .uk/ 💚 Basingstoke CAMHS, RG21 8UN / #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #LoveBasingstoke #MentalHealthMatters #Wellbeing

What’s on during Local and Community History Month at Sandham Memorial Chapel: 🖼️Deep Dive into Paintings and First World War Poetry🖼️ A deep dive into a Stanley Spencer painting, followed by a First World War poetry reading. Each painting talk and poetry reading lasts approximately 15 minutes Saturday 9 May at 11.30am to 2.30pm ℹ️ .uk/visit/hampshire/sandham-memorial-chapel/events/facbca70-5306-486a-a4bc-f90e7897b58b 🖼️Highlights Tours 2026 🖼️ Get beneath the surface of Sir Stanley Spencer’s paintings on a hour long bespoke tour of the chapel Friday 15 May 10am to 11am ℹ️ .uk/visit/hampshire/sandham-memorial-chapel/events/6ea6c683-f60f-4505-beb8-1db62baa5cef #LoveBasingstoke #LocalCommunityAndHistoryMonth

What's on this weekend: 📽️Outdoor cinema 📍Milestones Museum, RG22 6PG 📅Friday 8 May to Sunday 10 May Films, Footloose, The Greatest Showman, Dirty Dancing, Beauty and the Beast and Bohemian Rhapsody ℹ️ .uk/event/outdoor-cinema-milestones-museum 🎉 The Yard Fete 📅Saturday 9 May from 11am to 2pm 📍The Yard, Chilton Manor Farm, SO24 9TX Exploring a new trail, hands-on activities, a dog show (bring your pup), free workshops like line dancing and family yoga, plus Wild West lasso and whip sessions. There’ll be face painting, flower crowns, great food and drink, gelato and live music from midday. Entry is free but visit the website to let them know you’re coming ℹ️ /events/p/theyardxfiveboroughs-2tlnc 🛩️Popham Airfield Model Show, SO21 3BD 📅 Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May from 10am to 5pm 📍 Popham Airfield, SO21 3BD Model show, static displays, demonstration and 'have-a-go' model cars, military vehicles, boats and more. There will also be EPV workshops alongside a range of event traders and a catering village, offering a selection of food and drink. ℹ️/model-show-2026 🎶Dummer Down Brewery, RG25 2AR 📅 Saturday 9 May Food at the Taproom with Arty Stan Pizza 📅 Sunday 10 May Folksy Rootsy Sunday sessions ℹ️/brewery/ 🎉Whitchurch Folk Festival 2026 📅 Saturday 9 May 📍 Whitchurch, RG28 7AL Music, singing, dancing and Morris bells around every corner. It's a day of all things folk. ℹ️/ 🚗Basingstoke Festival of Transport 📅 Sunday 10 May from 11am until 4pm 📍War Memorial Park, RG21 4AG A huge range of vehicles on static display, including classic, vintage, commercial, fire engines and military trucks. ℹ️ /clubs/page.php?PgID=734167&ClubID=1523 For more 'what's on' visit the Love Basingstoke website: /whats-on #LoveBasingstoke #Basingstoke #Hampshire #Events Image 1: Basingstoke Festival of Transport Image 2: Whitchurch Folk Festival Image 3: Dummer Down Brewery Image 4: Milestones Museum

⭐Free Parade Club creative sessions coming soon⭐ 🐉 Help build giant puppets with Scratch Built Productions ready for this year's Basingstoke Festival opening parade - The Parade of the Mythical Beasts which takes place on Friday 19 June from 5.30pm in the Top of the Town, Basingstoke town centre. Free sessions take place: 📅Monday 15 June from 5pm to 7.30pm 📅Tuesday 16 June from 3.30pm to 6pm 📅Wednesday 17 June from 3.30pm to 6pm 📅Thursday 18 June from 5pm to 9pm 📅Friday 19 June from 2pm to 5pm, parade starts at 5.30pm All sessions take place in The Creative Emporium, upper level of Festival Place, RG21 7BA Sign up to join the Parade Club: /events/scratchbuilt/2131705 #LoveBasingstoke #BasingstokeFestival @ScratchbuiltProductions

What’s on during Local and Community History month at Whitchurch Silk Mill. 🪕Whitchurch Folk Festival 2026🪕 A celebration of spring with a day full of music, dance and community spirit. The festival hub at Whitchurch Silk Mill. Saturday 9 May from 10.30am to 5pm .uk/event/whitchurch-folk-festival-2026/ 🧵Weave a Wall hanging🧵 Spend the morning learning some new tips and techniques from our weaving team with tuition in a small group and time to explore creating your own patterns and textures. The resulting wall hanging will be yours to take home. Wednesday 13 May .uk/event/weave-a-wall-hanging-10/ 🪡Whitchurch Silk Production Tour🪡 Step into the rich history and see the intricate craftsmanship of Britain's oldest working silk mill. Saturday 23 May from 11am to midday. .uk/event/whitchurch-silk-production-tour-23-may/ 🌼Paper Pots and Paper Flowers: Half Term Making Fun🌼 Families are invited to craft their own paper pots and paper flowers, using simple, sustainable materials, inspired by the work of artist Vanessa Stone. Thursday 28 May from 10.30am until 12.30pm .uk/event/paper-pots-paper-flowers/ 📍Whitchurch RG28 7AL #LoveBasingstoke #LocalCommunityAndHistoryMonth