Basingstoke ( ) is the largest town in
Hampshire, situated in south central England. It lies across a valley at the source of the
River Loddon. It is located northeast of
Southampton, southwest of London, and northeast of the
county town and former capital
Winchester. According to the 2011 census the town (including its outer suburbs) had a population of 107,355. 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.