borough and district, administrative and historic county of Hampshire, England, west-southwest of London. The borough is largely rural but includes the market town of Basingstoke. Its 17th-century cloth industry has been reestablished, and it has a wide range of light industries. In Roman times Silchester (Calleva Atrebatum), located in the northern part of the modern borough, was an important centre. It has been designated for planned expansion to accommodate overspill population from Greater London. Cereal production is important in the countryside. Area 245 square miles (634 square km). Pop. (2001) 152,583.