Car Rental - Basingstoke
Rent a car in Basingstoke and discover a town like no other. With easy access to the bustling capital of London, South Downs National Park and the beautiful southern coastline, Basingstoke is the perfect base for a vacation to the UK. Hikers will love that the lush Hampshire countryside is right on their doorstep and history buffs will enjoy the stately homes and ancient wonders peppered throughout the area.
Make the most of this patch of England with a rental car from Basingstoke. We have several pick-up locations in the town so you can choose the one that’s most convenient for you when you arrive. We have various types of rental cars available, so you can select the one that’s best for your trip – opt for a spacious SUV or a compact car, perfect for leisurely town life.
Book online with Hertz to reserve a Basingstoke rental car and enjoy your trip in this wonderful pocket of England.
Basingstoke Locations
A Quick Guide to Basingstoke
Basingstoke’s handy location, wedged between the North Wessex Downs and South Downs, makes it the perfect springboard for visiting the rest of the UK. Country gems, quintessential villages, coastal towns or the UK’s vibrant capital city - whatever brings you here, you can experience it all is at your own pace on the open road with a Basingstoke car rental.
Amble Around Town
Park your Basingstoke rental car and take a gentle stroll around Basingstoke. You’ll find two shopping malls in the center, each boasting a wide range of stores. Pick up clothes and homeware from The Malls and Festival Place – you may need to upgrade your baggage allowance after a trip here.
Next stop, Eastrop Park. This recreational hub has something to suit all the family, whether you want to hire a rowing boat and cruise along the lake or watch live bands play in the summer. From here, you can join the Basing Trail. This circular seven-mile heritage route will lead you past a railway duct from the 19th century and the remains of a motte and bailey castle. It’s the perfect way to get to the quaint village of Old Basing.
Here you can discover Basing House, one of the largest stately homes of the Tudor era. Feel the ghosts of medieval England in the walls of the old barn and explore the site of a Norman castle. Throughout the year, several interactive events take place, perfect for family days out. Watch a 17th century reenactment, learn how to make ancient jewelry or see a Jane Austen play.
The Real Downton Abbey
A 25-minute drive from Basingstoke takes you to Highclere Castle, near Newbury in the North Wessex Downs. This neo-Gothic masterpiece is best known as the filming location of Downton Abbey, a world-famous TV series.
Once a medieval palace, the country house was transformed at the end of the 18th century in Georgian fashion and hasn’t changed since. Wander the opulent interior, brimming with world-class artwork and beautiful antique furniture, and visit the main hall and library where key scenes from the show played out. If you take the guided tour, you’ll hear stories about your favorite Downton characters and the real-life family who own Highclere Castle.
More regal British magic can be sought out at Manor House at Upton Grey. This Tudor-style manor’s glorious five-acre garden is hidden away in the depths of the Hampshire countryside and, after a period of neglect, has been restored to its former glory. Flowerbeds packed with delicate blooms and roses of every type and color fill this garden, creating a feast for the senses.
Uncover the Mystery of Stonehenge
Ancient history can be found deep in rural Britain at Stonehenge. This iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site has been wowing locals and tourists alike for hundreds of years.
The history of this mysterious monolithic stone circle stretches back more than 4,500 years and it’s still a place of spirituality even today. Why the stones were placed here and what purpose they served remains a mystery. Step into the Visitors’ Centre to try to find the answers among the archaeological treasures unearthed from the site and wander through the recreated Neolithic houses.
Whether you’re travelling here for business or pleasure, car rental in Basingstoke makes all of this pretty and fascinating part of the UK simple to discover at your leisure.
Driving In and Around Basingstoke
Nestled among the Hampshire countryside, Basingstoke is a quaint town and also the perfect jumping-off point from which to explore the south of England.
The town itself is compact and relatively easy to explore by a Basingstoke rental car. The A339 snakes around the north and east part of Basingstoke, with the Ringway covering the south and the west. Churchill Way runs straight through the center, providing access to its shopping district.
On-street paid parking is available throughout Basingstoke and there are a number of parking lots conveniently located across the town, too. A full list of parking facilities can be found on Basingstoke council’s website.
Beyond Basingstoke, there are plenty of cities and country spots to explore, which is made easy by the M3 skirting the south of the city. Freeways are known as motorways in the UK and are marked with an ‘M’. The top speed on freeways is 70mph, which reduces down to 30mph in urban areas.
The iconic sights and world-class museums of London, one of the world’s most exciting cities, are straightforward to reach if you drive east along the M3 – the journey should take around 90 minutes in your Basingstoke car rental.
Take the A303 west through to discover the mystical wonder of Stonehenge near Salisbury in just under an hour, perfect for a day trip. It’s also a short drive down the M3 to Winchester, a city renowned for its castle and medieval cathedral. From here, South Downs National Park is only a short drive away.
A 50-minute journey along the M3 south-west will take you to Southampton on the coast, a city steeped in naval history. Car ferries to the walking trails and untamed wilderness of the Isle of Wight run frequently from here, too. Wherever you wish to travel, it’s easily accessible with a Basingstoke rental car.
