Basingstoke

Basingstoke (/ˈbeɪzɨŋˌstoʊk/) is a large town in northeast Hampshire, in south central England. It lies across a valley at the source of the River Loddon. It is located 30 miles (48 km) northeast of Southampton, 16 miles (26 km) southeast of Reading, 48 miles (77 km) southwest of London, and 19 miles (31 km) northeast of the county town, Winchester. In 2008 it had an estimated population of 82,913, making it the largest town in Hampshire. It is part of the borough of Basingstoke and Deane and part of the parliamentary constituency of Basingstoke. Basingstoke is often nicknamed "Doughnut City" or "Roundabout City" because of the number of large roundabouts.