Even if it is basically regarded as a new town, evidence shows traces of life in Basingstoke even since the Iron Age. Records remind of a hill fort located near the place Basingstoke is located today, going by the name of Winkelbury.
Ruins in Basingstoke speak of the city’s most prosperous times, the Tudorian period, when some of its most important buildings were constructed. Among this ruins, Basing House stands as a shadow of the buildings that once competed with the grandeur of Hampton Court. Before being destroyed in the civil war siege, Basing House was a former Tudorian Palace and fortress.
A great number of Roman items have been found in the region of Basingstoke and can now be admired in the town’s Willis Museum. The Museum displays the historical past of Basingstoke, beginning with the archaeological proof for the existence of the region since ancient times through to the present day. Remakes of historical moments help to bring the past to life. A frequently altering range of unique displays guarantee that there is constantly a new exhibition for the frequent visitor to discover.
The heart of the town was until not long ago a monument of ancient architecture on its entire area. The town coordinators did significantly greater destruction to the historical area of Basingstoke, that use to have common English country lanes and cottages. Even if Basingstoke escaped the World War 2 severe bombing and most of the historic heritage remained in its place, the center has been not too long ago demolished and reconstructed in an American style, thus ripping it of any English charisma or tradition.