Car Hire Basingstoke

One of the main reasons why Basingstoke is a magnet for business is its great road connections. The M3 motorway runs along the southern fringe of the town and will carry you east to London in just over an hour, passing through Fleet, close to Farnborough and onto Chertsey, on the edge of the capital. Alternatively, you can head south-west to the south coast towards Southampton via Winchester.

Two A-roads also serve the town, with the A339 coming off the M3 and running up the town’s eastern and northern flanks before heading into the North Wessex Downs and up towards Newbury. The A33 starts in Basingstoke’s north-east and is the road to take for Reading.

The town’s main road, Churchill Way, splits Basingstoke in two, with both western and eastern halves. As you drive along it, you’ll come across a couple of the large roundabouts which give the town the nickname of ‘Doughnut City’.

It’s here you’ll find the very heart of the town, with major shopping centres such as The Malls and Festival Place, as well as many of the main sights and venues. There are plenty of car parks in this area, with pay-and-display locations at Caston’s Yard, Central Car Park and Alencon Link.

Driving rules will be familiar from home – you’ll be driving on the left-hand side of the road, Seatbelts must be worn and the use of mobile phones while driving is strictly banned.

Speed limit signs are displayed in miles per hour (mph). When driving in towns and cities, the limit is normally 30mph (48km/h), while on roads outside the built-up areas it rises to 60mph and 70mph on motorways.

Base yourself in Basingstoke, whether it’s for business or pleasure, and you’ll be in a prime location. The delights of the capital sit to the east while the south coast and its resorts are only a short drive away.

Best of all, Hampshire itself is full of charming towns and villages, and you’re close to a huge Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the form of the North Wessex Downs.

Top of the town

Basingstoke is a vibrant and buzzing place, packed with great shopping areas, rich local history and plenty of civic pride.

For shopping, head to Festival Place in the heart of the town. This complex has breathed new life into Basingstoke since it opened in 2002, while the Top of the Town area and The Malls are also home to some major names.

The lively market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while arts lovers will want to head for The Anvil, a venue renowned for its eclectic programme.

For food, there are an array of restaurants offering the best in international cuisine, while there’s also a trampoline park, multiplex cinema and sports centre to enjoy.

The wonderful waterway

Completed at the end of the 18^th century, the Basingstoke Canal has played an important role in the town’s heritage. Today, it’s safeguarded by organisations and volunteers who work hard to preserve this 50-kilometre stretch of water which connects Basingstoke with the Thames.

You can walk or cycle along the towpath which follows the canal or take to the water with a boat trip. Along the way you’ll pass listed bridges such as the Barley Mow and Baseley’s Bridge, both built in 1792.

In summer, it’s a blissful spot as painted barges ply the waterways. There are conservation areas with rare flora as well as pillboxes lining the banks, built in World War Two to prepare for a possible land invasion by German forces.

Dive into the Downs

Car hire from Basingstoke means you can not only take care of business in the town, but also take some time out for yourself and explore the glorious North Wessex Downs. It’s a beautiful area to drive through, and one popular with walkers and hikers too. Park up and you’ll discover some quintessential British countryside.

There’s the famous Watership Down, synonymous with the rabbits of Richard Adams’ classic tale, close to handsome Hampshire villages. Potter here and you won’t be disappointed – you’ll spot rabbits hopping in the fields and rare breeds of butterfly hovering above them.

Look out, too, for the Uffington White Horse, carved into the hillside some 3,000 years ago, while there are henge monuments of even older origin.

Pretty Savernake Forest has oaks and beeches planted by famed gardener Capability Brown, before you tease out the history of friendly villages such as East Hendred and Lambourn. Here, old market squares are the gateway to ancient churches, 16^th-century clocks and a slower, gentler way of life.

With your itinerary all set, ensure you make the most of the quaint Hampshire county and beyond with car hire in Basingstoke.