Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Opening hours
- Mon 9:30am to 5pm
- Tue 9:30am to 1:30pm
- Wed 9:30am to 5pm
- Thu 9:30am to 5pm
- Fri 9:30am to 5pm
- Sat 9:30am to 5pm
- Sun Closed
Closed on public holidays
- Public computers turn off 15 minutes before the building closes
Transport options
Train travel
Basingstoke Train Station, 10 minutes walk
Bus travel
Nearest bus stop: Basingstoke Bus station, 6 minutes walk
Facilities and access
WiFi
Printing and copying
Bookable computers
Hearing loop
Lift
Death Positive hub
Accessible toilets
Free period products
Citizens Advice
Baby changing
Registered assistance dogs welcome
Blood Pressure Monitors for loan
Police Third Party Reporting Centre
More about accessibility
- Assistive technology for public computers
- Hearing loop
- Accessible toilet
- Library is on the first floor in Festival Place Shopping Centre and accessible by lift.
Find out more about accessibility in Hampshire's libraries
Room hire
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Basingstoke Discovery Centre - Adult Services Room
Capacity: up to 6 people
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Basingstoke Discovery Centre - Business Room
Capacity: up to 24 people
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Basingstoke Discovery Centre - Community Link Room
Capacity: up to 20 people
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Basingstoke Discovery Centre - Community Room
Capacity: up to 50 people
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Basingstoke Discovery Centre - Learning Room
Capacity: up to 30 people
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Basingstoke Discovery Centre - Meeting Room 1
Capacity: up to 8 people
What's on - Clubs and groups
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Chat About at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Mondays (except public holidays)
11am to 1pmA weekly drop-in to meet new friends and have a chat! Hot drink and a biscuit provided.
Refreshments are funded via the Connect4Communities program by the DWP Household Support Fund.
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Chatterbooks at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every 2nd Saturday of the month
11am to midday
Blast off into the wonderful world of books and reading with our Chatterbooks group. Come along every second Saturday of the month to chat about your favourite authors and books and enjoy making a simple book related craft. For ages 7-11, no need to book! Parents/carers of under 8s must remain with their child in the library.
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Children's Crafts at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every 3rd Saturday of the month
2pm to 4pmPop in and enjoy making a different craft every month.
Ages 4+
We welcome donations to support our provision of children's activities.
Suggested donation £1. -
Community Connections at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every Friday
10am to middayA free drop-in for all seekers of sanctuary for a chat, helpful information and signposting.
Colouring and Lego® bricks available for children.
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Construction Club at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every Saturday
10am to 1pmEnjoy building and creating with plastic bricks? Drop in and have some fun!
We welcome donations to support our provision of children's activities.
Suggested donation £1. -
Conversation Café at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month
Midday to 1:30pmCome along and chat to others to improve your English in a relaxed, informal environment.
Please be aware this is not a taught class.
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Craft and Chatter at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every Friday
10am to 12:30pmA friendly group for makers and handicrafters, meeting in the refreshment area. Bring along your current project, share ideas and hopefully get inspiration for future projects.
This group does not meet on bank holidays.
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Dads' Rhymetime at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every 1st Saturday of the month
10:30am to 11amJoin us for songs and rhymes for toddlers and their Dad's. Just turn up, there is no need to book in advance.
For dad’s and their children under 5 years. Thirty minutes of songs, rhymes, rhythm and action to get your little one moving and singing!
We welcome donations to support our provision of children's activities.
Suggested donation £1. -
Family Chess at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every 3rd Saturday of the month
10am to 12:30pmFree family chess club, with members of Basingstoke Chess Club on hand to provide instruction and hints to new and up and coming players!
(Not on during school summer holidays)
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Family Games Club at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every 2nd Saturday of the month
2pm to 4pmEnjoy a selection of board games to play together.
We welcome donations to support our provision of children's activities.
Suggested donation £1. -
Family History at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every 2nd Tuesday of the month (Except August and December)
10am to middayFamily History, Hampshire Genealogical Society can help you research your family history. Drop in and see what you can find! Second Tuesday of the month (except August and December). Drop in.
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Hong Kong Connections at Basingstoke Discovery Centre 香港人聚會
Every 2nd Saturday of the month
11am to 1pmA chance to meet others for a friendly chat 聊天機會
Drinks and Snacks 飲品和小食
Refreshments are funded by the UK government.
Games 遊戲活動
Find out about our library services
了解更多圖書館服務
Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Second Saturday of the Month
每⽉第⼆個星期六 -
Intercambio at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every Tuesday
11am to middayIntercambio Spanish/English Language exchange. Chat and practice your language skills.
Please note this is not a Spanish language class.
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Knit and Knatter at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every Monday
10am to middayBring your current project and have a natter in the refreshment area.
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Learning in Libraries courses
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Living with Loss Café at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Last Friday of the month
10:30am to middayDrop in for a chat and a chance to connect with others dealing with grief or bereavement. Tea, coffee and a biscuit provided.
Refreshments are funded by Bereavement Care, Southern Co-op.
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New Parents Meet and Connect at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every Monday
11:30am to 12:30pm
Supportive library sessions perfect for new babies and new parents/carers. Connect with other parents, explore sensory activities. Free session. Drop-in participation, no need to book. Limited spaces available, so come early to secure your spot.
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New Parent and Baby Rhymetime at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every Tuesday
10:30am to 11amA Rhymetime for new parents and their children. Learn rhymes, interact with your child, meet other families and have a good time.
We welcome donations to support our provision of children's activities.
Suggested donation £1. -
Only Murders in the Library Reading Group at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every 1st Saturday of the month starting 4 January 2025
2pm to 4pmIf you enjoy crime and thrillers and want to join others to chat about books, come along to our new reading group.
Once a month, all welcome.
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Read Aloud at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every Thursday
12:45pm to 1:30pmStorytime's not just for children! Relax, sit back and listen to our library staff read aloud to you. Enjoy classic and modern stories in our warm and welcome space.
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Ready to Roll? at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Last Saturday of the month
10am to 4pmEnjoy classic games – Catan, Pandemic, Splendour and more! Free drop-in.
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Rhymetime at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every Wednesday
10:30am to 11am and 11:30am to middayEvery Thursday
10:30am to 11amThirty minutes of songs, rhymes, rhythm and actions to get your little one moving and singing!
For children up to pre-school and their parent/carer.
We welcome donations to support our provision of children's activities.
Suggested donation £1. -
Saturday Songs at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every 3rd Saturday of the month
10:30am to 11amA chance to join in rhymetime for those who work during the week. Fun singing and action rhymes for babies and toddlers with their parents or carers.
We welcome donations to support our provision of children's activities.
Suggested donation £1. -
Sketching Social at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every Friday
9:45am to midday
If you enjoy drawing and sketching, join us for our Sketching Social group. Share skills and tips or learn something new in this supportive and friendly group, Free, just drop in.
This group is funded via the Connect4Communities program by the DWP Household Support Fund.
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Stay and Play at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every Monday
10:30am to 11:30amA relaxed session for parents, grandparents, carers and their pre-schoolers. A great way to meet others and for your children to make new friends whilst they play!
Parents/carers to stay with their children.
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STEM Social at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every Thursday (term-time only)
10am to 11amIf you enjoy science and technology, join us for our STEM social group. Share scientific knowledge, express your opinion and learn new things. Free, just drop-in.
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StoryMakers at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every 2nd Wednesday of the month
3:45pm to 4:45pmA fun creative writing club for ages 8+, second Wednesday of the month.
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Storytime at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every Friday
10:30am to 11amJoin us for stories and songs for the under 5's at Basingstoke Discovery Centre.
Parents/carers must remain in the library with their child/children.
This event does not happen on bank holidays.
We welcome donations to support our provision of children's activities.
Suggested donation £1. -
Thursday Reading Group at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every 3rd Thursday of the month
2pm to 4pmThursday Reading Group, Join this friendly group who enjoy reading all genres.
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Write Club - Creative Writing at Basingstoke Discovery Centre
Every 3rd Wednesday of the month
2pm to 4pmNew members welcome at this supportive group for writers of all genres and abilities.