Basingstoke is 45 miles to the southwest of London adjacent to Junctions 6 & 7 of the M3 Motorway. There is also a frequent rail service to London Waterloo, timetabled at 45 minutes. Basingstoke, with a Borough population of approximately 180,000, is a major centre for commerce and industry, having attracted several international and national companies, enjoying the benefits of a diverse range of leisure/recreational facilities and the highly acclaimed Festival Place shopping centre.