Because having fun and making memories shouldn’t have to come at a price.

At Love Basingstoke we understand that the six-week holidays are long and in the current climate everyone is feeling the pinch. Therefore, we’ve put together of list of free and low-cost activities, trips and ideas for you and your children to experience the fun Basingstoke and Deane has to offer, while keeping costs low over the longest school holiday of the year. We have also included some ideas of places where kids can eat for free, as every little saving helps.

Fri-YAY Fun                                                                                                                                                                

Free fun family activities are back, every Friday in August this year, with Love Basingstoke Presents Fri-YAY Fun taking place across the Top of Town and the War Memorial Park. From 11am to 3pm visitors can experience a multitude of different activities designed for children aged three to 16, giving them the chance to have a go at a new sport, take part in arts and crafts or try something totally different. There are so many fantastic activities available such as mini-golf, an 18ft climbing wall, Parkour free running demonstrations, arts sessions and so much more and all for free! For most of the activities simply turn up, but certain ones may require pre-booking. This truly is a brilliant opportunity to keep children busy and creating new experiences with no cost involved! New for this year Love Basingstoke will also be out and about in six local community spots with free activities. Check our blog for more information. 

Make a splash!

If we are lucky enough to get some warm weather, then head down to Eastrop Park, for a fun free day out. There is a boating lake with great amenities, such as a counter for food and drinks and a large children’s park complete with a huge rope climbing frame and a splash pool! Parking is free and it is only a short walk to Festival Place via a footpath.

Set under tall leafy trees, the Overton streams of the River Test are like something straight out of a fairy tale. It is a lovely walk with many spots to sit relax and even bring a bite to eat and picnic next to the stream by the Old Overton Mill.

Chineham Park Splash Pad is free to access and situated inside Chineham Park, in Popley, so there is lots to do to keep children entertained. It is open every day from 10am to 7pm, until September.  

Cycle paths and walks

In Basingstoke and Deane, there are so many fantastic walks to explore and discover, that we couldn’t possibly mention them all! However, for a list of walking inspiration check out the Love Basingstoke website.

Oakley has some lovely walks such as the 6.6km circular trail over Oakley Park joining Wayfarers Walk. There are beautiful views to be had across the miles of open farmland and through the woodland trees of Bulls bushes.

The Watership Down Trail is where author Richard Adams was inspired to write his famous novel and it is clear why, with its stunning views and wildlife to been seen. The new trail created celebrates the 50^th anniversary of the novel  North Wessex Downs National Landscape (AONB) and the setting for the story.

For a scenic and interesting Whitchurch walk, print out the family fun walk and quiz and explore this pretty historic town while keeping the children engaged in the fun quiz. Starting at the entrance to the Gill Nethercott Centre, you’ll pass the Whitchurch Silk Mill, the town square and All Hallows Church.

Another great walk is the Story of Binfield Giant, walk in Chineham! Starting at the library and through the Great Binfield Wood, towards the bridge, through the play area and finding the giant sculpture. It is a walk, perfect for keeping the children entertained and making memories.

Days out at the leisure park and local museums

Basingstoke museums have lots on over the summer!

Go back in time at historic Milestones for a free Family Fun Day with the Multiply team on 20 August at 10am. Join in with maths related activities and challenges. The event includes free entrance and parking at the museum for families with children aged five and over who have not previously attended a Multiply family event and where at least one adult does NOT have a Level 2 maths qualification. Be sure to book online.

At the Whitchurch Silk Mill (July 31,11am to 1pm) there is a Children’s Hama Bead Workshop, with tickets priced at £4.

The Willis and Sainsbury Gallery, in Basingstoke town centre has free entry and throughout the summer is hosting the About Time Trail Studio Exhibition summer holiday trail. Visitors can look for watches, clocks and other objects around the museum for clues to solve the puzzle. Trails are £1 per sheet, until 1 September. Additionally, there will be a free exhibition running from 3 August where the Sainsbury Gallery will be turned into a vibrant creative space, whereby residents are invited to unleash their creative skills and become exhibiting artists!

A special treat for the children, Hollywood Bowl has a huge 50% off standard bowling games before 11am over the summer holidays if you book online.  Just use the code SCHOOLSOUT50 when you check out!

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.

Free Village Fun

There is lots going on throughout the summer holiday in the villages of Basingstoke and Deane. Overton has beautiful walks to explore. Get inspired and enter the National Lottery Heritage Fund Tales from the Riverbank Poetry Competition, if your child is aged seven to 18.  Enter your masterpiece for free and take a shot at the great prizes on offer, competition entry closes on 31 July. Furthermore, how about heading down to the Overton Recreation Centre on 17 and 18 August between 10am and 5pm for the free Overton Art Group exhibition. It is a great way to introduce your child to the world of art.

Launching on the weekend of the Overton Sheep Fair, 20 and 21 July, Overton Churches Together has produced a lovely walking trail open to all ages, with questions to answer and puzzles to solve. Prizes will be awarded for the first five trail answers pulled from a hat on 27 August. Download the trail here. 

Dummer will play host to Valhalla, a fun and exciting three-day Viking Festival full of amazing entertainment and activities on 26 July. Children can learn how the Vikings lived in the Living History Village, watch reenactment battles, see weapons demonstrations, workshops, witness a 26ft Viking boat burning and lots more. Whilst adults do pay, under 12s go free to this festival across the weekend.

Wotton St Lawrence is hosting an exciting fete and dog show on 3 August, between 12noon and 4pm. It is free entry with lots of fun to be had such as stalls, delicious food and a dog show - a great day out without the cost.

For a jam-packed afternoon of fun head to Oakley Infant School for the Oakley Village Fayre at 1.30pm on 10 August. Visitors will experience lots to see and do, including morris dancing, a jazz band, bubbles man and demonstrations! It is £2 for over 18 entry and your numbered entrance programme will give you the chance to win a £100 cash!

Green spaces and park events

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.

For free live music on select Sundays throughout the summer, pack a picnic, blanket or even a deckchair and pop down to Eastrop Park Bandstand from 3pm to 5pm for the  Summer Band Concerts. The children can play in the park while the adults can relax, a great free day out!

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is hosting a Sport, Health and Wellbeing Day on 27 July at 11am in War Memorial Park. Expect a day packed with exciting dance demonstrations, nature activities, wellbeing talks, free BMX riding, skateboarding and much more! It is a great chance to try out a new sport for free and refreshments to purchase.

Popham Airfield is somewhat of a hidden gem. Head down and watch the planes take off and land whilst children can enjoy the play park. There is a lovely café with outdoor seating where you can grab something to eat and drink or why not take a picnic along. The airport hosts many events over July and August so check out their website for more information.  

Basingstoke has a multitude of great parks and open spaces to take the children and enjoy, such as War Memorial Park, Lime Pits, Beggarwood Park and Black Dam Ponds to name a few. Take a look at this list of parks to find a new one to explore this summer.

Town centre

Vue Cinema Mini Mornings are a great way to take your children to the cinema for a fraction of the cost! Mini Mornings take place every Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am, plus every day in the school holidays showing kids movies and new kid’s films.

In Festival Place, at Basingstoke Discovery Centre,  there are free drop-in groups and sessions still running over the summer holiday break, so take a look at their website for a multitude of activities.  Furthermore, join the library if you have not already, and take part in the free Summer Reading Challenge: Ready, Set, Read! For ages four to 11, it requires children to read six library books to collect rewards. When they have completed the challenge, children will receive a certificate and a medal!

From 24 July to 30 August The Beardy Gardener, ArtWell and local schools will team together to create beautiful display gardens throughout Festival Place for their eco campaign. Head down for a look and enjoy the displays. There are also free Wildlife Wednesday family crafting workshops to get stuck into, Floral headdresses (July 24), Wooden Bookmarks (August 7), Origami Crafts (August 14) and Plant Pot decorating (August 21). These will be open from 11am to 4pm on the upper level next to the Customer Lounge.

For a very special first-ever event in Basingstoke, come along, show your support and experience Basingstoke Pride Basingstoke Pride 2024  (17 August, 12noon to 4pm) in Festival Place. Celebrate diversity, love and the LGBTQ+ community with lively music, dancing, a variety of stalls and captivating performances. Tickets are free. 

Check out your local community centre over the summer!

Local community centres often run activities over the summer for kids. The Viables Centre has lots of activities including a clay workshop, jewellery making, let’s get messy session, giant board games, boogie babies (£1 per sibling) and a treasure trail. Furthermore, head down and explore The Indoor Viables Boot sale  (20 Jul and 17 Aug) with entry only 20p! For a great experience Miniature Train Rides are running on 4 August for £1.50 for two laps.

 The Roger Morris Centre has many events on over the summer such as Baker Tots (29th July, 9:30am, £4 per child) and a Summer Disco (1 August at 9.30am, £3 per child). For more events, please see their website. Make sure you don’t miss the Summer Fayre (18 August at 1.30pm). There will be games, arts and crafts, face painting and baked goods to enjoy! 

Free meals

It can be expensive eating out over the summer break, so we have found a selection of places that are offering free or low-cost meals during this time.

Supermarket Morrisons is offering a free children’s meal at their café with the purchase of an adult meal and even better, adults meals start at £4.50!

In Festival Place, Las Iguanas are offering free meals to children, for every adult main course ordered from the à la carte menu, on the My Iguanas app. The offer is available to kids 12-years-old and under and includes a main meal, two sides and a dessert.

At Dunelm’s Pausa Café, for every £4 spent by an adult, children can get one free mini main, two snacks and a drink!

At the Premier Inn, children will receive a free all-you-can-eat breakfast, available for two children under the age of 16 for every paying adult. The Travelodge hotel is also offering a free unlimited breakfast for free to two children aged 15-years-old and under, with a paying adult.

 July 2024