Basingstoke

Basingstoke is a large town in the county of Hampshire in the south of England. The 2001 Census recorded a population of 152 573. Basingstoke is a prosperous town with an above-average standard of living and low unemployment. It is a financial centre, and the location of the headquarters of the Automobile Association and Sun Life Financial of Canada (not to be confused with AXA Sun Life) in the UK. Other industries include drug manufacture, insurance and electronics.

History of the town

Basingstoke has held a Charter Market since before 1203, and is recorded as being a market site in the Domesday Book. The ruins of the Tudor palace of Basing House can be found two miles east of the town centre, in Old Basing. Population growth has been rapid since its designation as a London overspill town (often confused with new town status) in 1961: in 1951 there were only 16,000 inhabitants. Today it is famous for having a large number of roundabouts.

Related Topics:
Charter Market - 1203 - Domesday Book - Tudor - Palace - Basing House - New town - 1961 - 1951 - Roundabouts

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The name Basingstoke (Domesday; Basingestoches) is believed to have been derived from the town's location, the western settlement of the people of Baze. Basing, a village a few miles to the east, is normally considered to have come from the same linguistic route, but is believed to be the older settlement.

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In the late 1960s, Basingstoke town centre was completely rebuilt. At this time many buildings of historic interest were replaced by a large concrete shopping centre. The brutalism of the town's architecture, and its perceived status as a new town and haven for accountants and those with other occupations considered "boring", have led to Basingstoke becoming a comedic archetype for the soullessness of many modern British towns. It remains to be seen whether the opening of the new Festival Place shopping centre will do anything to soften this image and part the town with its "Boringstoke", "Basingjoke" and "Basingrad" nicknames.

Related Topics:
1960s - Shopping centre - Brutalism - New town - Accountants - Archetype - Festival Place

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Basingstoke railway station is the junction between the South Western Main Line railway, built by the London and South Western Railway, and the Reading to Basingstoke line, built by the Great Western Railway.

Related Topics:
Basingstoke railway station - South Western Main Line - London and South Western Railway - Reading - Great Western Railway

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