Museums and parks: Best free and low cost things to do in Basingstoke

The cost-of-living crisis is forcing people to save every penny they can. But that doesn’t mean that residents of Basingstoke can’t get out the house and enjoy their free time, without needing to spend a fortune.

There's a wealth of things to do in Basingstoke, so we’ve compiled a list of free or low cost activities and events in the local area to keep everyone entertained.

Crabtree Plantation

Crabtree Plantation. Image: Stewart Turkington

Crabtree Plantation is a local nature and wildlife area, which is free for public use. Although the weather is getting ever darker and colder, the park can be enjoyed by all the family, with plenty of green space for dogs to run about, a play park for the children, and clear routes through the forest to spice up the trip. Parking is available for free at both Crabtree Plantation and Black Dam Ponds.

Just across the road from the car park at Crabtree Plantation is Basingstoke Common which, similar to Crabtree, is public space. If the walk around Crabtree hasn’t quite done it for you and the family, why not venture across? Enjoy the lovely views across Basingstoke, and see if you can spot any of the horses! But as always, take care when crossing the road.

Black Dam Ponds

Black Dam Ponds is a local wildlife spot available to the public. With a free car park, people are more than welcome to enjoy the ponds, for a little stroll, maybe a dog walk, or even just to visit the children’s play park. The pond is one of the most picturesque in the area, and really does make for a lovely trip to the great outdoors.

Eastrop Park

Eastrop Park is a beautiful public park located near Festival Place in Basingstoke Town Centre. The park consists of a number of ponds, a walkway round and a children’s play park for hours of fun for the family.

The River Loddon runs through the area, feeding into a pond in the wildlife area of the park. There’s lots of activities to get involved in, for example seeing the wildlife from the dipping platform. Many birds inhabit this area, including a kingfisher which can be seen hunting along the river.

Overall, the park makes for a great day out, without needing to spend excessively. If you go in summer, why not make the most of the paddleboats and get out onto the water.

Milestones Museum

Immerse yourself in the past at Milestones, Hampshire’s museum of living history.

Explore the museum’s streets, shops and buildings to discover how people used to live, buy a ration of sweets from the 1940s sweet shop, view its unique collection of vintage vehicles and have a look around the penny arcade.

The trip will take you as far back as the age of the Victorians, with cobbled streets, a replica Victorian school room – complete with chalkboard and teacher’s desk – and even a working printing press.

Throughout the year, Milestones run varied programmes of fun, family-friendly events and exhibitions. From a working pub to a play space for under fives, costumed characters, interactive displays and more, there is so much for everyone to enjoy at Milestones!

Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery

Located in the Top of Town, in the Willis Museum you will be able to discover and learn about Basingstoke and Deane's past, from the rich archaeological heritage beneath our feet right up to the modern day.

Since 1984, the Willis Museum has been housed in an early Victorian building that was once Basingstoke’s Town Hall.

It is named after George Willis, a local clockmaker, antiquarian and former Mayor of Basingstoke, who become the first honorary curate when the original museum was established in the Mechanics Institute, in New Street in 1931.

The building you see today replaced the original Mote Hall where Jane Austen attended dances.

Throughout the year, the museum runs programmes of touring exhibitions, as well as fun events, workshops and activities for all the family to enjoy.

Festival Place Shopping Centre

Shopping is normally associated with cost, but you don’t have to spend lots of money to have a good day out at the shops.

Have a look around Festival Place, browse around the shops, and if you get a bit peckish or thirsty, stop into one of the many places available to eat or drink, and get something nice!

Eastrop Park is only a short walk from the food court in Festival Place, so if the weather's not too dismal, why not tie both trips into one?

Mill Field Nature Reserve

Mill Field is a nature reserve located on Barton Lane in Old Basing. It is a local Greenland space, available to the public 24 hours a day, with parking available at RG24 8AE. There is also a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue. Dogs are more than welcome too.

Basing House

Unearth the amazing stories of Basing House, a nationally important historical site.

This magnificent attraction was the site of the largest private house in Tudor England, suffering at the hands of Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War.

The visitor centre entrance houses gift shop and light refreshments. Then, step inside the battle-scarred Great Barn, and experience the sights and sounds of the Civil War with our audio and visual show.

Free car parking can be found via the postcode RG24 8AE with a pleasant short walk along the River Loddon before reaching the visitor centre entrance.

Roman Silchester

Silchester in Hampshire was originally Calleva, a centre of the Iron Age Atrebates tribe from the late 1st century BC.

After the Roman conquest, it became the large and important town of Calleva Atrebatum. Unlike most Roman towns, it was never reoccupied or built over after it was abandoned in the 6th or 7th century, so archaeological investigations have given an unusually complete picture of its development.

The complete circuit of the roman walls, some of the best-preserved Roman town defences in England, and remains of the amphitheatre still stand.

Watch the trains

It’s just a simple activity which costs absolutely nothing. It's something a bit different which I’m sure the family will enjoy.

The bridge near the Old Basing Common is perfect for watching the trains roar through underneath, and there is a park located nearby thatB the children can enjoy after.