Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Farnborough, Hampshire

Ground zero for the UK’s aviation industry, Farnborough was where the country’s very first powered flight took place in 1908. The Royal Aircraft Establishment was founded here around this time and would make dozens of innovations over the next few decades, fundamentally altering the trajectory of aviation history.

This heritage is recorded at the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum, while Farnborough Airport serves as a private airport and a hub for the Air Accidents Investigations Branch, along with major companies such as BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin.

The broader Farnborough-Aldershot area has a significant military presence, with museums highlighting the intricacies of field medicine and military logistics.

Let’s explore the best attractions in Farnborough:

1. Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum

The “FAST” Museum operates exclusively on weekends and Bank Holidays, yet it remains essential for those with an interest in aviation history.

This is attributable to the historical significance of a site where the first high-altitude “space suits,” night vision devices, carbon fibre frames, airborne cameras, and numerous other innovations were conceived.

Even the building itself is historically significant, as Trenchard House (1907) was constructed to be the headquarters of No 1 (Airship) Company of the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers.

Exhibits include displays of RAE research and development, jet engines, helicopter rotors, scale models, and a fully operational wind tunnel.

The Cody Pavilion features a replica of British Army Aeroplane No 1, constructed by the American, Samuel Franklin Cody, which, under his control, made the first powered and sustained flight in the UK in 1908.

2. St Michael’s Abbey

Following the downfall of the French Second Empire, Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie took refuge in Chislehurst, Kent, where Napoleon passed away in 1873. The grief-stricken Eugénie commissioned a Benedictine abbey and mausoleum for him in Farnborough, completed by 1881. Guided tours of this Flamboyant Gothic abbey are conducted on Saturdays at 15:00, during which visitors may explore the crypt housing the granite sarcophagi of Napoleon III, Eugénie, and their son, the Prince Imperial.

The tombs were a gift from Queen Victoria, who maintained a cordial relationship with the Empress.

The church’s reliquary contains the thighbone of St Alban, recognized as the first British martyr, executed by the Romans in the 3rd century.

During the summer months, guests can also attend an organ recital on Sundays at 15:00.

3. RAE Heritage Quarter

While the notion of exploring a business park might not seem particularly engaging, the RAE Heritage Quarter near Farnborough Airport is steeped in fascinating history.

A brief visit after the Air Sciences Trust Museum would be rewarding.

Since the early 20th century, this site has been home to the Royal Aircraft Factory, with several listed buildings dating back to that era.

Q121 and R133 are Grade I-listed former wind tunnels where iconic aircraft, including the Spitfire and Concorde, were tested.

The remarkable Q134, now referred to as “the Hub,” previously served as the weapons testing facility, responsible for developing rocket systems like the Black Knight and Black Arrow.

Most impressive, however, is the frame of the balloon hangar dating back to 1911. Although it had to be dismantled for the construction of the wind tunnels, it has now been reconstructed using the original materials.

4. Basingstoke Canal

The Basingstoke Canal, along with its shaded towpath, meanders through the eastern part of Farnborough.

This 31-mile-long waterway was completed in 1794, establishing a link between the Thames River and the town of Basingstoke.

Despite its initial lack of commercial success leading to disuse post-World War II, it has gained popularity among leisure boaters since its reopening in 1991. Although you cannot traverse all the way to Basingstoke due to a tunnel collapse six miles from the town at Greywell in 1932, the remaining sections are navigable.

In Farnborough, visitors may stop by the Canal Centre, conveniently located on the eastern edge of the town.

A walk along the towpath can commence here, where one could enjoy a hot beverage at the café or embark on a cruise aboard the 12-seater narrowboat “Rosebud,” available on weekends during the summer and on Wednesdays and Fridays during school holidays.

5. Frimley Lodge Park

This 60-acre park adjacent to the canal was preserved from developers in the late 1980s and is a well-frequented local amenity, annually receiving the Green Flag award for its maintenance and facilities.

In addition to sports pitches for soccer and rugby, it features a pitch and putt golf course, a fitness trail, a wildflower meadow, a wildlife pond, a community garden, two children’s playgrounds, and a miniature railway.

The railway operates under volunteer supervision and runs on the first Sunday of each month during the summer months.

A regular weekly event is the parkrun, which commences at 09:00 on Saturdays.

6. Museum of Military Medicine

Keogh Barracks, situated just outside the county boundary in Surrey, houses an impressive military medicine museum comprising over 20,000 objects within its collection.

Among its fascinating exhibits is the carriage utilized by Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War, modified to accommodate stretchers.

Additionally, the museum features field surgery kits from various eras, a collection of dental tools used by Napoleon’s dentist on St Helena, the death mask of Rudolph Hess, and an antique wooden model of a horse’s leg for the training of farriers. The extensive medal collection includes 23 out of the 29 Victoria Crosses awarded to the Army Medical Services.

7. Fleet Pond

Just one train stop away lies the largest freshwater lake in Hampshire.

Despite covering over 50 acres, the lake is remarkably shallow, with a maximum depth of slightly more than 80 centimeters.

Around the lake, visitors can enjoy marshes, reed beds, woodlands (including oak and Scots pine), and heathland, all protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

This man-made pond was formed by damming two streams and has been noted as an important fishery, likely utilized by local monks since the 14th century.

Three walking routes encircle the water, ranging from 0.6 to 2.5 miles in distance.

The “Long Walk” traverses through Brookly Wood, once a private garden, which boasts exotic species like laurels, bamboo, and rhododendron.

8. Royal Logistics Corps Museum

The array of military museums continues at this attraction, conveniently located ten minutes away in Deepcut and accessible from Monday to Friday.

This museum elaborates on how British Army soldiers have been equipped, fed, transported, and maintained communication with their families throughout the past six centuries.

Historically, the army requisitioned carts during medieval times, which led to the establishment of the Royal Waggon Train for supplying troops in Europe during the Napoleonic Wars.

This eventually evolved into the Royal Logistics Corps, showcasing an original sabretache adorned with battle honors from the Waterloo and Peninsular Wars.

The museum’s centerpiece is Field Marshal Montgomery’s staff car, a Rolls-Royce Wraith, notable for being the first allied civilian vehicle to reach Normandy post-D-Day.

9. Aldershot Military Museum

Located within late-Victorian barrack buildings, this museum chronicles the history of the British Army in Aldershot while also serving as a local history museum, featuring exhibitions on civilian life in both Aldershot and Farnborough.

Visitors can learn about the development of the military camp in Aldershot since 1854, with reconstructions of barrack rooms from both the Victorian period and the 1950s.

Special attention is devoted to aviation pioneer Samuel Franklin Cody, including authentic artifacts like his flight helmet and a reconstruction of his workshop situated in Farnborough.

Montgomery’s Barn, relocated from Alton in 1996, was constructed for the famous Field Marshal in 1947 to store his wartime caravans and now houses armored vehicles, heavy artillery, and tanks.

Additionally, the museum offers insights into civilian history, including information on the construction of St Michael’s Abbey and the local drum-making industry at the Rushmoor Local History Gallery.

10. Queen Elizabeth Park

Historically, this 24-acre expanse of woods and meadows adjacent to St Michael’s Abbey was once part of the Royal Windsor Great Park.

It later became part of the Farnborough Hill Estate, where Empress Eugénie spent the final 40 years of her life beginning in 1880. Following her death, the estate was repurposed by Farnborough Hill School, which remains there to this day.

Currently, the park features an excellent playground for children, along with a unique natural feature: a series of temporary ponds, which vary in water levels according to the season and climate.

Additionally, visitors will encounter a significant presence of rhododendron, which has been part of the estate since its inception.

11. Farnborough Air Show

This week-long biennial event occurs in mid-July, attracting over 200,000 attendees.

The initial five days, held Monday through Friday, serve as a trade show focused on the defense and aerospace sectors, culminating with a traditional air show for the public over the weekend.

More than 600 retailers and exhibitors participate in the public event, featuring live entertainment, a dedicated family area, and numerous static aircraft on display.

For most attendees, the principal attraction lies in the flight demonstrations, which total up to five hours across the weekend, featuring stunt groups such as the Flying Bulls, the Blades, and the Red Arrows.

The next Farnborough Show is anticipated to take place in July 2020.

12. West Green House Gardens

Individuals who appreciate country estates should consider a visit to West Green House Gardens, situated near Hook.

The Queen Anne-style mansion at West Green was erected in the early 18th century by Henry Hawley, who later became known as the general leading the cavalry charge at the Battle of Culloden (1746). From March to October, visitors can explore the gardens, which underwent a redesign in the 20th century.

There’s much to see, including the orangery, a formal walled garden with potager, well, and fruit cage, a Neoclassical nymphaeum, as well as a picturesque lake bordered by fields bursting with color in spring due to daffodils and fritillaries.

Late July marks the opera season at West Green House Gardens, where audiences can enjoy new productions of classic operas and more intimate performances.

13. Look Out Discovery Centre

This science center for children is located roughly 20 minutes away in Bracknell but is a worthwhile journey if you have children under the age of 12. It features 90 activities divided into zones correlating with subjects commonly studied in school.

Kids can launch a hot air balloon, assess their reaction speed, engage with laser beams, observe a colony of leaf-cutter ants at work, and even design their own house.

Nestled within the 2,470-acre Swinley Forest, the center also offers picnic areas, an orienteering course, and an adventure play area for outdoor fun.

14. Southwood Woodland

To the west of the airport lies 80 acres of lush nature on former Army land, ideal for jogging, family walks, or cycling.

Well-maintained trails invite exploration through woodlands populated with birch, hazel, alder, and holly, while imposing oak trees demarcate the meadows.

April and May present a particularly lovely time to stroll here as the forest floor becomes adorned with bluebells.

Be on the lookout for the creatively-designed interpretation boards, which provide information about local mammals, birds, and insect species while showcasing artistic carvings of cross-sections of felled trees.

15. Alpine Snowsports Centre

Engaging in downhill skiing might not be the first thing one envisions when thinking of Hampshire, yet a highly regarded dry ski center is located a mere ten minutes away in Aldershot.

Alpine Snowsports features three slopes suitable for skiing, snowboarding, or tubing.

If you possess a basic understanding of slope navigation, you can take advantage of free sessions available on most days of the week.

The center also offers lessons for skiing and snowboarding, both in private and group formats, in addition to catering for children’s parties.

The slopes are illuminated at night, and there is an on-site bar and ski shop to enhance the experience.