The town of Basingstoke is situated 77km (48 miles) southwest of London and 48km (30 miles) north of Southampton. Basingstoke has excellent road and railway links, making it popular with commuters: London Waterloo can be accessed in roughly 45 minutes by train from Basingstoke station and there is easy access to the M3 and M4 motorways.

Basingstoke was a market town until the 1950s when it was very rapidly redeveloped to accommodate what was then called the London 'overspill'. Today it is an economic centre with the UK headquarters of Sun Life Financial of Canada, and the Automobile Association.

A new shopping centre at Festival Place is helping the economic rejuvenation of the town centre and Basingstoke's nightlife is split between the new Festival Square, and the traditional hostelries at the Top of Town, with a few local pubs outside the central area. Basingstoke town centre is also home to a modern concert hall: The Anvil, which is renowned for its acoustics.

The town is served by the famous pink buses from Basingstoke station, and the Leisure Park offers a wide range of activities including ice skating, bingo and bowls. It is home to a multiplex cinema, a bowling alley and one of the most exciting swimming facilities in the country, the Aquadome.

In Portchester Square is the Basingstoke Sports Centre which has a subterranean swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi and steam room. Above ground there is a gym, aerobics studios, squash courts and main hall.

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