Are you feeling the pinch with Christmas around the corner. Or maybe you are just looking for ways to save some pennies? We’ve put together this blog to highlight some of the local things going on for free or low cost and other ways to make savings locally.

Plus if you are a student, don't forget to check out our great Student offers, blog to discover all the places in Basingstoke and Deane where your student discount can save you money.  

Fun on a budget

If you are in the town centre then pop to the The Willis Museum for free or take part in the Streets Alive and Heritage trails at no cost. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for our Love Basingstoke Presents October half term programme offering free activities over the school holidays. Additionally, The The Malls and Festival Place often run free activities or events over the school holidays and on select days. 

If you have a National Trust membership then be sure you are making the most of it. The Vyne often runs different events, activities or trails. The gorgeous gardens and leafy woodlands are great for exploring and unwinding during all seasons. 

For a walk steeped in history head down to Silchester Roman City Walls and Amphitheatre for free. You can also download an audio tour if you wish to find out more while you visit.

A family pass to Whitchurch Silk Mill covering two adults and three children is £35 for the full year. The Mill has a changing programme of exhibitions throughout the year, covering a range of themes and media linked to the mill so you can visit more than once and enjoy something different each time.

Did you know that if you pay for entry once to Milestones Museum you can revisit for free for a whole year? Not only this but under fives visit for free. Make a date to visit and you’ll be able to pop back all year! If you’ve already been recently then why not revisit? They often have events going on to make the experience different every time. If you are returning ‘for free’ you don’t need to make a day of it, you can just fill a few hours. If you do want to spend longer they have an outdoor picnic area so you can take your own food.

The Aquadrome want people to access their brilliant facilities with less of the financial worry. Through their memberships they offer heavily discounted children and family swim sessions, discounted gym memberships, access to free WIFI and up to 50% off other activities and services. Check out their website to see if you are eligible for their concessionary membership.

Vue Cinema Mighty Mornings  are a great way to take your children to the cinema for a fraction of the cost at only £2.49! They take place every Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am, plus every day in the school holidays and show a host of children's films.

Enjoy the outdoors

We are so lucky to be surrounded by lovely open spaces, parks and play areas in Basingstoke and Deane. There are a variety of equipped play areas along with skate parks and outdoor gyms. You will also find some lovely outdoor areas.

The Walled Garden, located in Down Grange, is a hidden gem, bursting with wildlife and floral scenery. Take a picnic, relax and enjoy a bite to eat whilst enjoying the surroundings. 

Crabtree Plantation has wide open spaces and provides a fantastic view of Basingstoke town centre, along with a free car park. Beacon Hill iron age hill fort is across the other side of the borough and offers wonderful views of Highclere Castle. There is an array of stunning local walks to be discovered in Basingstoke and Deane. We’ve picked out a few in our walking guide.

Make the most of the library

You will find libraries in Basingstoke town centre, Chineham, Tadley and Overton. They often run events for free including Rhymetime, Storytime, Construction Club and Craft and Chatter. You can also borrow books, magazines and sometimes dvds for free. They have a webpage with resources for support during the cost of living crisis. Visit the Hampshire Libraries website to find out how to join and what’s going on local to you.

Exercise for less

Exercise is good for the mind as well as the body. If a gym membership doesn’t fit into your budget, then head to one of the local parks that has an outdoor gym. You can find them in Eastrop Park, War Memorial Park, Beggarwood Park, Chineham Park, King George V Playing Fields, Tewkesbury Close Open Space and Victory Park.

Basingstoke Wellbeing Walks welcome people of all ages to join regular, short walks in their own communities. These free walks are led by trained volunteers and enable you to explore locally, get a bit fitter and meet new people.

For those that love to hop on their bicycle for some exercise, check out our cycling guide for some inspiration or a new route. You can run or walk the weekly parkrun 5k around War Memorial park.

Food

Download the Too Good to Go App to find unsold food from businesses that you can purchase at a good price. It also helps you rescue food so it doesn’t go to waste.  OLIO works in a similar way allowing local people to offer up leftover food for free. Although both are aimed at reducing food waste, they can also help your purse too. 

There are 21 community pantries across Hampshire with three in Basingstoke and Deane. They provide access to discounted food. They offer access by membership where, for a small weekly contribution, members receive food to a significantly higher value.

Basingstoke Foodbank provides free emergency food and toiletries to local people in crisis using a voucher referral system. Each weekday there is at least one centre open for two hours. All locations and times are on: www.basingstoke.foodbank.org.uk.

For all children in Reception, year 1 and year 2, school meals are available free of charge under the UIFSM programme. Children will receive a hot two-course meal at their school, which includes dessert. For parents or carers who are in receipt of certain benefits, their children aged 16 and under, are also eligible for a free hot school meal.

Save on things you would buy

To save on clothes take a look at the Community Wardrobe which runs from The Roger Morris Centre. There you can swap clothes or pick up something for a small fee. There are also a number of charity shops in the town centre and surrounding villages which often stock clothes. For school uniform see if your child’s school runs a second hand uniform shop.

When the kids get bored of their toys we often think about taking a trip to the nearest toy shop to buy new. But by buying second hand or borrowing, we are not only saving pennies but the planet too. There are a number of marketplace groups where you can pick up toys for much less than buying new and some for free. 

Basingtoke Town Centre plays host to a range of great chairty shops selling pre-used items in good condition such as Basingstoke Heart Foundation, Sue Ryder and St Michael's Hospice. 

If you have an item that’s broken, take a visit to one of the repair cafes to see if they can fix it before forking out on a new one. You can find them monthly in Overton and Chineham. The North Hampshire Repair café visits Sherfield on Loddon, plus Odiham and Hartley Wintney which are just outside of the borough.

In need of new furniture? You’ll find a furniture shop in Chineham run by St Michael’s Hospice where you can buy something pre-loved.

If you are in financial difficulty please do seek help.  You can contact the local branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau via the website.

Have you got any other tips? Drop us an email hello@lovebasingstoke.co.uk and we'll include them.

Please note the inclusion of any business within this listing should not be seen as an endorsement of their services. Whilst the information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.

January 2024