Why You Must Visit Basingstoke This Summer

Did you know it's all happening in Basingstoke this Summer? No? Well I am here to tell you all about it.



Running from July 14th to 13th Of August, the Made In Basingstoke festival is a cultural make, do, share, experience type event full of things to create, taste, discover and make.


Photo credit Discover - The Francis Frith Collection

Daily activities will be running throughout the town, in shops, museums, and shopping centres. The festival will also be celebrating the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen who was also born and raised in the area, with a bronze statue of the author, being unveiled in the town centre on the 18 July. There is also a new ‘Sitting with Jane’ free public arts trail and the associated app featuring 24 ‘Book Benches’, each designed and painted by a different professional artist. 



Sitting with Jane - Artist Video from Face TV on Vimeo.

The Create Week (14-20 July) includes an immersive gaming experience called 'The Mystery of the Star Eaters’. This interactive game will turn Basingstoke’s streets into a life-sized board game, in which you have to work out clues, interview witnesses and solve puzzles. Sounds too cool for words!


Other activities include the Create Market - in The Malls shopping centre. Local artist and crafters will give practical workshops and talks on everything from making ceramic pots, to crocheting, to decoupage, whilst music lovers will be enthralled by jam sessions and digital music workshops.





The Taste Week (21-27 July), is jam packed full of foodie events. I am particularly looking forward to seeing celebrity chefs Phil Vickery and Jean-Christophe Novelli at The Malls Shopping Centre on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July. Coinciding with this event will be a taste market of local produce, cupcake decorating workshops, coffee tastings and a Jane Austen themed cream tea at The Red Lion hotel.


The Discover Week (28 July-3 August) is next to celebrate Basingstoke's historic past. Participate in a Punch and Judy Festival, a vintage fashion makeover, make your own inspired Burberry paper rain coat and many other events

The Make Week (4-13 August) will have a range of free events for families. Create selfie masks, get the children involved with craft workshops, and enthralled with story telling.



For more information and a full schedule of events visit Made In Basingstoke online. You can also follow @inbasingstoke and use #LoveBasingstoke on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, to find out what's going on and share your photos and experiences.


I will be visiting the festival, courtesy of Basingstoke Together, a local business owned company with the idea to promote the town and shed a positive light on the area, so if you are going I may see you there! 

Let me know, what activities would interest you if you went? 
T ravel Loving Family
Wander Mum

27 comments

  1. I'm far too far away but I wish they did things like this up here. Loving the craft and taste week ideas. Have a good time x

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    1. That's a shame but yes the craft and taste weeks sound brilliant.

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  2. This is such a great event full of crafts and fun activities. I'd love to visit it next year :)

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  3. What a fantastic idea! I love the way they've picked themes for each week, and it looks like there's something for everyone. I'd definitely want to go during the Taste week!

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  4. There's a lot going on isn't there? I like the sound of making a Burberry inspired paper raincoat.

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  5. Such a great topic. Making, creating, tasting, discovering...all are fantastic ideas.

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    1. All these activities gets your brain working!

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  6. I'd definitely enjoy the create market and also the make week for families as I do enjoy getting involved in doing creative things with my children. I think having a go at a wide range of creative activities is great for kids, it's important to widen their horizons as much as possible.

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    1. I agree with you Taylor. Hope you get the chance to go.

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  7. I've never heard of it before. Taste week sounds very appealing to me :)

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  8. I love Basingstoke. We visit a fair bit so am really looking forward to this event.

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    1. Let me know how you get on Joanne. I will be there!

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  9. Having grown up near Basingstoke, I couldn't resist clicking on your link in #citytripping to read what you have to say! I like the sound of the artists' benches and the Punch and Judy festival, I've been looking for a show to take my kids to although I had assumed it would be at the seaside!

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    1. Punch and Judy sounds interesting doesn't it?

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  10. Oooh how fun! I'd love to go to a Jane Austen themed cream tea!! #CityTripping
    (www.caliglobetrotter.com)

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  11. The star eaters thing sounds good (in fact, I am just about to go and look up where Basingstoke is to see if it feasible to visit), but I wouldn't mind turning out for coffee tasting too.

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  12. This sure does sound like a great place to attend. I love trying my hand at different makes. #MondayEscapes

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  13. You've put Basingstoke on the map! The festivals look really good and such a range of different activities #CityTripping

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    1. The festival was so good, I've just come back and saw Phil Vickery!

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  14. Wow, so much going on! I do love the sound of all the Jane Austen celebrations! No shortage of entertainment this summer! #citytripping

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  15. Ooh loads going on!! You are very lucky, you are going to have a busy six weeks! Thanks for sharing on #MondayEscapes

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