Entertainment in Basingstoke

Previously a roller skating rink and cinema, Haymarket Theatre was converted into a multi-purpose venue in 1951, hosting everything from stand up comedy, family shows, live music, themed nights, in-house plays and performances from travelling theatres. The 380-capacity theatre has a licensed café and bar where you can grab a drink or a light bite before or after the show or head to the nearby Festival Place where you’ll find dozens of bars, cafés and restaurants.

A large concert hall and performing arts centre, the 1,400-capacity Anvil hosts a wide range of shows and events including opera, pantomime, live music and theatre. The space is in regular use, with recent guests including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, TV chef James Martin, opera star Russell Watson and comics Nish Kumar and Jason Manford. The Anvil, so-named as its western side resembles a blacksmith’s anvil, is situated next to The Malls and a short distance from our Basingstoke West hotel.

Part of the Festival Place Shopping Centre, Vue Basingstoke is a modern 10-screen cinema complex. As well as Sony 4K picture quality and Dolby Surround Sound, each of the 816 seats have recently been replaced with the ultra-relaxing leather Recliner chair giving you first-class comfort for normal prices. As well as the usual range of popcorn, soft drinks and ice cream on sale, there are a host of cafés, bars and restaurants in the nearby shopping centre.