Farnborough

Orientation

The northeasternmost town in Hampshire, Farnborough is contiguous with Aldershot (with which it shares a local authority, the Borough of Rushmoor) to the south, and Camberley (in Surrey) to the north. The town's eastern boundary is marked by the River Blackwater, on the other side of which are the suburban villages Ash, Frimley and Mytchett, which are nowadays considered part of Camberley. Farnborough Airport is immediately to the south-west of the town centre, and west of that is beautiful mixed forest and heathland leading to Fleet.
Although locals divide Farnborough north and south, and into other named areas not relevant here, the visitor may understand it better as a town of four quadrants:

• The north-west covers the mostly residential areas known as Cove and Southwood, which were formerly independent villages. Although there are some older buildings, the bulk of this part's urbanisation took place in the mid- to late 20th century, and there is little here of interest to a visitor.
• The north-east is separated from the NW by Farnborough Road. This is the oldest part of town and contains the former village centre (Farnborough Street), the parish church of St Peter, St Michael's Abbey and Farnborough Hill House (Farnborough Park).
• The south-east was Farnborough's 19th-century town centre, and is still today predominantly Victorian in character, known as South Farnborough or North Camp. It is mixed residential and commercial, and has many of the best restaurants and pubs.
• The south-west is dominated by Farnborough Airport, and the high-tech industry, business parks and hotels which surround it. This is also the location of the RAE Heritage Quarter and FAST Museum.

The modern town centre sits where these four quadrants meet.

Early history

While Farnborough has been settled for at least 1000 years (it was recorded in the Domesday Book as Ferneberga, Old English for "Fern Hill"), it was for most of its history a tiny hamlet in the midst of a lawless and remote heathland, on the edge of Windsor Forest. Its location at the borders of Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire meant it was frequently used by outlaws as diverse as highwaymen and illegal boxers; before the 20th century, county police forces had no powers beyond their areas of jurisdiction, so all criminals had to do to escape justice was pass from one county to the next. The area's comparative remoteness and frontier town vibes kept Farnborough small for centuries; there are therefore few buildings today that date from before the 19th century, and those that do are rustic-looking timber-framed cottages.
The arrival of the British Army to neighbouring Aldershot in the mid-1800s brought more settlers to the area, and many officers built fine villas in what is now Farnborough's southern suburb of North Camp - so called because it is north of the Army garrison ("camp"). Shops, services and a town hall sprang up to serve the growing town, and North Camp remained the town's commercial centre for another hundred years.
The town welcomed foreign royalty in 1880, when Empress Eugénie de Montijo moved into Farnborough Hill, a manor house and estate. Eugénie was the Spanish-born widow of Emperor Napoléon III of France, though the couple had been deposed in 1870 and had fled to England. The Empress greatly expanded Farnborough Hill, transforming it into a château where she received regular visits from her friend, Queen Victoria. On the estate, she ordered the construction of a neo-Gothic Roman Catholic monastery as a lasting monument to and tomb for her husband the Emperor, and to their son Louis Napoléon Eugène, who had been the last hope for a Bonapartist restoration, but was killed by Zulu warriors in 1879. Also invited to the abbey, named for Saint Michael, were monks of the Benedictine order from France. Remaining in Farnborough until her death in 1920, Eugénie is buried in the family crypt of the abbey alongside her husband and son.

Aviation pioneers

Farnborough got its economic breakthrough when the Army set up a balloon factory on what was then a grassy plain on the western edge of town. In 1904, the wild west showman and Iowa native Samuel Franklin Cody designed and flew his 'Army Aeroplane Number One' in what was Britain's first powered flight. Within a few years the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE), as the Army balloon factory was now known, had made Farnborough its headquarters, and the grassy plain was transformed into an airfield. Cody continued to develop prototype aircraft, and became increasingly ambitious, entering competitions such as the 'Circuit of Britain' and the 'Michelin Cup'. In 1913, his luck finally ran out when his latest prototype broke up mid-flight; Cody and his unfortunate passenger were thrown to their deaths. His funeral procession was attended by 100,000 people and he is buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery.
Ever since Cody's era, the town has been synonymous with the aviation industry. Captured enemy aircraft were 'reverse engineered' in Farnborough during the Second World War, helping to give the RAF the edge over the Luftwaffe. This caused tragedy when a test pilot lost control of a Dornier Do-335 over the town and crashed into a local primary school, scattering burning debris and fuel over the schoolyard. The pilot was killed instantly, but by extremely good fortune, there were only a few minor injuries sustained by pupils on the ground. Post-war, the innovation continued. Jet engines were pioneered here in the mid 1940s, while supersonic passenger flight was successfully engineered with Concorde in the 1960s, continuing Farnborough's French connection. The RAE and airport were privatised in the 1990s, but several large aerospace and defence corporations continue to have their headquarters in the town, while the airport is now Britain's busiest for business aviation.

Airshow

The first Farnborough International Airshow was held in 1948, and it has taken place every two years continuously in even-numbered years. It is one of the largest airshows in the world, and is held over one week in the summer. FIA is primarily a civil and military trade show, facilitating trade and investment in aircraft and new technologies. It attracts a lot of press attention, usually sees the visit of high profile politicians and/or royalty, and also draws anti-arms trade and climate change protesters. The airshow ground is open to the public at the end of the week, on Saturday and Sunday. However, air displays take place every afternoon of the show, and these can easily be seen from most parts of the town.

Farnborough today

Farnborough's population of 65,000 largely stems from the post-war era, when slum clearance brought thousands of inner-city Londoners to new housing estates. Much of the town you see today dates from that period of questionable architectural tastes. Farnborough's centre of gravity shifted once again in the 1960s, when a civic and shopping area designed around the car was constructed closer to the town's geographical midpoint. The town is now firmly in the London commuter belt.
Since the 2000s, thousands of Nepalese people have made their home in Farnborough, Aldershot and the surrounding area, after a long campaign to give former British Gurkhas and their families the right to live in the UK. The presence of Nepali people, language, traditional dress and businesses is very noticeable.

Farnborough is 30 miles (50 km) south-west of central London.

By car

Farnborough is served by the M3 motorway (junctions 4 and 4a) which runs from London to Southampton. The town is about an hour's drive from central London, and 15 minutes from junction 12 of the M25. Other major routes which pass through or near Farnborough are the A3, A30, A31 and A331.
All listed 'see' and 'do' attractions, and most of the sleep listings, have on-site or nearby parking, and visitors to the town in general won't have trouble finding a car park. The Meads multi-storey car park on Kingsmead is particularly helpful, as are the Pinehurst car parks slightly further down the same road. Less useful is the "secret car park" on the roof of Sainsbury's; since it was built and painted up, it has only been accessible to pedestrians, as a ramp up from the road is yet to be built! Its 'discovery' by a reporter in 2016 prompted much derision in the national media.

By train

Farnborough is served by five railway stations, listed in decreasing order of utility:

• Farnborough Main Station

  address: Union Street, GU14 7NL
  South Western Railway services from London (Waterloo, Clapham Junction), Woking, Basingstoke, Southampton (Central, Airport Parkway), Portsmouth (Harbour), Bournemouth and Poole. Trains depart from Waterloo four times an hour Monday-Saturday and twice an hour on Sundays; the quickest trains take 35 minutes, while the slowest about an hour - count on spending around £17 for a single. The journey from Clapham Junction takes 25 min and costs £15, the trip from Southampton takes 1 hr and costs about £20, while trains from Portsmouth take 1 hr 30 min and cost around £25.

• Farnborough North Station

  address: Farnborough Street, GU14 8AQ
  and , Lynchford Road, GU12 5QA (same line). Great Western Railway trains from Reading, Guildford and London Gatwick Airport. North Camp is served by two trains per hour, while Farnborough North only receives one. The journey from Reading takes 25 min and costs around £7, while the trip from Gatwick takes 55 min and costs about £15.

• Ash Vale Station

  address: Station Approach, GU12 5LP
  and , Frimley High Street, GU16 7QH (same line). South Western Railway services from Ascot (20 min, £5), Farnham (10 min, £4) and Alton (25 min, £7), as well as limited services from London Waterloo (50 min, £16).

By coach and bus

Farnborough is served by a single, daily National Express service, route 031 between London Victoria Coach Station (which offers connections all over Britain and Europe) and Portsmouth Harbour (for ferries from France and Spain). The coach sets you down at , a small bus interchange in the centre of town. The journey from London leaves at 5PM and takes 1 hr 35 min M-F, or 1 hr 50 min Sa Su, while the journey from Portsmouth leaves 7:30AM M-F, or 8AM Sa Su, and takes 2 hr M-F, or 1 hr 35 min Sa Su.
Frequent and direct local buses serve Farnborough from only Aldershot, Camberley, Fleet and a few neighbouring villages. See below for details.

By plane

Farnborough is well served by airports. For travellers coming directly to Farnborough, the closest airports are:

• London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is away. Drive to Farnborough via the M4, M25 and M3 motorways. Public transport options from Heathrow to Farnborough are indirect and take much longer than driving. You can either take a Rail Air bus shuttle to Woking railway station, and catch the train, or take the London Underground (Piccadilly line to Piccadilly Circus, then Bakerloo line to Waterloo) to London Waterloo and catch the train from there.
• Southampton Airport (SOU) is away. Drive to Farnborough via the M3 motorway. There are also frequent express trains between Southampton Airport Parkway and Farnborough Main stations.
• London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is away. Drive to Farnborough via the M23, M25 and M3 motorways. Direct trains to Farnborough North and North Camp operate from Gatwick Airport station.
• London Luton Airport (LTN) is away. Drive to Farnborough via the M1, M25 and M3 motorways. Trains connect Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras International every 35 minutes. From there, take the London Underground (Victoria line to Oxford Circus, then Bakerloo line to Waterloo) to London Waterloo station.

Farnborough also has its own private airport. There are no scheduled commercial flights to and from (FAB); rather it is the base of two of the largest private jet hire companies in the UK. If you have the money, the sky really is the limitǃ

Farnborough is a small town and it is very easy and quick to get around on foot or by car. The town centre has lots of signs, maps and information boards for pedestrians. Parking is widely available, though you will be hard-pressed to find anything free.

By bike

Farnborough has a good network of cycle routes, the majority being either off-road or along lanes segregated from motor traffic. Some of these are shared with pedestrians, and some are reserved for bikes. There are a few unsegregated cycle lanes, but these are mostly on minor roads. Signage is comprehensive with accurate distances, though some of the signs have been vandalised and now point the wrong way, so it would be best to have a map to hand: Rushmoor Borough Council publishes such a map.

• Silvester Brothers Bike Hire

  phone: +44 1252 543 778
  address: 5 Cove Road, GU14 0EH
  Independent bicycle shop with a selection of Raleigh bikes to hire. You must phone or email ahead and bring photo ID. Helmets and locks available on request.

By bus

There are a number of local bus services which serve the town from in the town centre. All routes are operated by Stagecoach, though Surrey County Council publish the most informative timetables and maps. Fares are cheaper than in London, but fairly typical of the rest of the South East. Count on a single within Farnborough costing up to £2, a day ticket for the wider network costing £6.10, and a night ticket costing £2.50. You can pay with cash or contactless credit/debit card. All times given are the earliest and latest departures from Kingsmead:

• 1: Camberley-Frimley-Farnborough (Main station, town centre, College of Technology, North Camp)-Aldershot. 24 hour service. Every 4-10 mins during the day, every 30 mins-1 hour overnight.
• 2: Farnborough (town centre, Cove, Fernhill, Hawley Lane)-Frimley-Frimley Park Hospital-Heatherside-Camberley. M-F 6:15AM-8:20PM every 20 mins. Sa 7:05AM-8:20AM, every 30 mins. Su 9AM-6:10PM, every hour.
• 9: Within Farnborough (town centre, Cove, Southwood). M-F 9:15AM-2:25PM. Every hour.
• 10: Farnborough (town centre, Sixth Form College, Cove)-Fleet-Church Crookham. M-F 7:35AM-7:25PM, Sa 8:25AM-6:35PM. Roughly every hour.
• 11: Farnborough (town centre, Main station, Rectory Road)-Mytchett-Frimley Green-Deepcut-Heatherside-Camberley-Frimley Park Hospital. M-F 7:50AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-6PM. Every hour.
• 41: Frimley Park Hospital-Farnborough (Main station, town centre, Highgate Lane, North station, College of Technology, Queensgate, North Camp, North Camp Station)-Ash Vale-Ash-Tongham. M-F 9:30AM-1:10PM. Every hour.
• YoYo: Within Farnborough (town centre, Main station, Cherrywood Road, Prospect Estate). M-F 6AM-11:15PM, Sa 7AM-11:15PM, Su 8:15AM-6:15PM. Every 10 mins during the day / every 30 mins evenings and Su.

Fares and routes correct as of August 2019.

By taxi

Farnborough has both hackney carriages (black cabs), which can be pre-booked or hailed on the street, and minicabs, which must be pre-booked. Hackney carriage fares are regulated by the borough, and use a meter: weekday daytimes cost £3 base fare, plus £0.20 for every travelled. Evenings and weekends cost £3.60 base fare, plus £0.20 for every travelled; after 11PM, this goes up to £4.50 base fare, plus £0.30 for every travelled. Minicabs' fares are unregulated, so prices can be negotiated.

• A-Line Taxis

  phone: +44 1252 650 000
  Operates fleets of black cabs in town. Online and in-app booking available.

• Rushmoor Taxis

  phone: +44 1252 333 555
  Operates fleets of black cabs in town. Online and in-app booking available.

• Dinez Taxis and Airport Transfers

  phone: +44 1252 265 363
  Registered executive private car hire (fixed fare).

In general terms, Farnborough is not a tourist town, but there are a few sights worth seeing, especially for those interested in history.

Aviation

• Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum

  phone: +44 1252 375050
  address: Trenchard House, 85 Farnborough Road, GU14 6TF
  Local gem dedicated to retelling Farnborough's extensive aviation history, from early balloons and canvas aircraft, through the town's contributions to two world wars, the first jet engine, wind tunnel trials, supersonic flight and space exploration. The static aircraft outside include a Hawker Hunter, Harrier T4, English Electric Lightning, Puma and Gazelle, which you can sit inside. The to-scale replica of Samuel Cody's first aeroplane and the fighter pilot simulation are not to be missed. The museum is run by friendly and knowledgeable volunteers who are always keen (occasionally a little too keen!) to tell you all about the exhibits in expert detail. Count on spending between 30 minutes and 3 hours, depending on your level of interest.

• "First Flight in the UK" memorial

  address: Farnborough Road
  The now rather mundane site of Samuel Cody's first flight is marked by a stone and plaque. You can still look across the airfield from here and admire Cody's legacy.

• RAE Heritage QuarterThe Royal Aircraft Establishment was the aviation research establishment of the British government for most of the 20th century, and its successor institutions are still based in Farnborough. The RAE has left a wealth of listed buildings, among them the , three buildings, and the famous . All are now sympathetically integrated into a modern business park sitting alongside the airport. The is open to the public Tu–F 10AM–4PM.

• Samuel Franklin Cody memorialA statue of Cody's likeness, unveiled in 2013 on the centenary of the aviator's death in a crash of one of his experimental aircraft.

• Scout Experimental SE5A fighter plane

  phone: +44 1252 375520
  address: Princes Mead, GU14 6YA
  A replica of the first ever aircraft built by the RAE's factory at Farnborough. This model represents that which was flown by World War I ace pilot Edward "Mick" Hancock, who was awarded the Victoria Cross medal posthumously. You can read about his life on a small poster in the centre.

• Sir Frank Whittle memorialA sculpture of Whittle's Gloster Meteor, a pioneering jet aircraft created at the RAE. See the original plane in London's Science Museum.

• Watch the planes coming and goingFor aviation enthusiasts, there is always something interesting going on around the airport. A loyal band of spotters can usually be found there on most days, often with their car radios tuned into air traffic control, and always open to sharing their passion with like-minded visitors from near and far.

Religious sites

• St Michael's Abbey

  phone: +44 1252 546105
  address: 280 Farnborough Road, GU14 7NQ
  Built by the Spanish-born Empress of France Eugénie de Montijo in the 1880s, the abbey's main attraction is its typically French Neogothic chapel, the crypt of which is the burial place of Napoleon III, his wife and their son, Louis Napoléon Eugène. The abbey is today home to a small community of Benedictine (Roman Catholic) monks, and also houses a relic of St Alban. The guided tour involves a visit to the chapel, the grounds and the Imperial Crypt. The Sunday services can be an experience, with both being sung in Latin Gregorian chant. The shop stocks historical and religious memorabilia, as well as food produced by the monks in a farm on site.

• St Peter's Church

  phone: +44 1252 513111
  address: 60 Church Avenue, GU14 7AP
  This Anglican church's crypt is believed to house the remains of many of the Earls of Anglesey, and it is a pretty Norman church in its own right, probably with Saxon origins.

The Empress Eugénie's former stately home is now a private girls' school, called Farnborough Hill. Despite being an impressive grade-I listed monument, essentially a French-style château, the school is sadly not open to the public at any time. The best view of the house you can get without trespassing on the estate is from a which runs between Ship Lane and Highgate Lane. The distance allows you to see the building in its entirety, but you can't see many of the architectural details.

• 360 Play

  phone: +44 1252 519 738
  address: The Meads Shopping Centre, GU14 7GL
  A giant indoor play zone for kids featuring an 8,500 sq ft soft play frame, dodgems , a carousel, a full-sized 'high street' for shop-based role play, a 'messy play' area for arts and crafts, and a café. Your kids will probably love you for it; your wallet may not.

• Go-Karting

  phone: +44 844 998 0000
  address: 28 Invincible Road, GU14 7QU
  Race electric karts at up to 65 km/h along an 800-m indoor track on two levels.

• Laser Run

  phone: +44 1252 370721
  address: Building 301, The Fairway, GU14 0LP
  Indoor laser tag arena for kids and teens.

• Ping Pong Parlour

  address: 17 Kingsmead, GU14 7SJ
  Three indoor ping-pong tables, with bats and balls provided.

• Run-About

  phone: +44 1252 370721
  address: Building 301, The Fairway, GU14 0LP
  Indoor soft play centre for kids.

• Runways End Outdoor Centre

  phone: +44 1252 344421
  address: Laffan's Rd, Aldershot, GU11 2RE
  Offers activities such as indoor and outdoor climbing walls, an archery range, rifle shooting, orienteering, caving, and with the benefit of being next to the Basingstoke Canal, watersports such as kayaking, canoeing and raft-building. For groups, there is permanent indoor accommodation and an extensive area for camping.

• Vue Cinema

  phone: +44 871 224-0240
  address: Kingsmead Shopping Centre, Queensmead, GU14 7SR
  8-screen multiplex cinema showing all the latest new releases.

• Watersports at Hawley Lake

  phone: +44 1252 863341
  address: Gibraltar Barracks, Hawley, GU17 9LP
  Offers a wide range of watersports courses: canoeing, dinghy sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and powerboating, for adults, children, families and groups. Course lengths vary but one-day taster sessions are offered.

Events

• Farnborough International AirshowThe airshow is held in Farnborough Airport for one week every two years. Public days are the last weekend only (Sat 25 and Sun 26 July), although there are many locations around town to watch the displays all week. Local pubs' beer gardens, such as The Swan and The Alexandra are good places to try, as are parks such as Cove Green and Southwood Pavilion. On-site, static exhibits cover civilian and military aircraft, as well as innovation in technology and scientific discovery. The afternoon's 5 hour flying display of modern and heritage aircraft is of course the main attraction, climaxing in the stunning RAF display team the "Red Arrows". You can also visit town during the so-called "validation week", which normally lasts a week to ten days before the show officially opens, although flying display times are unpredictable and often repetitive.

• Farnborough Donkey Derby

  address: King George V Playing Grounds, Sycamore Road, GU14 6PQ
  Farnborough's annual Donkey Derby is held every Spring Bank Holiday. In addition to the signature donkey races, be prepared for campy British summertime entertainment: music, dancing, dog and baby shows, fairground attractions and rides. Jolly good fun, and all in the name of charity; the Rotary Club organisers usually raise thousands of pounds for worthy causes every year.

• Organ recitals at the abbey

  address: St Michael's Abbey, 280 Farnborough Road, GU14 7NQ
  Annual series of six summer concerts, first Sunday of the month between May and October, and a special Advent concert. The Cavaillé-Coll organ is played by both resident and guest recitalists, and the 2018 season welcomed organists from Košice, Magdeburg, Norwich, and Vannes.

Farnborough has a high concentration of high-tech jobs, and is a frequent destination for business travel. TAG Aviation operate the airport, while Farnborough International are responsible for the airshow and a large events venue. Defence corporations BAE Systems and QinetiQ both have their world headquarters here, and BMW has its UK HQ in the town. The government's Air Accident and Rail Accident Investigation Branches (AAIB/RAIB) are based on the edge of the airfield. Other major employers include Autodesk, FlightSafety, Fluor, Lockheed Martin, Qualcomm, and Zurich.

The town centre is reasonably well-equipped with high street chains and supermarkets, but it has a smaller range of shops than might be expected for a town its size. Built between the 1960s and the present day, with some parts still a literal construction site, the result is a depressingly ugly mix of indoor shopping malls (Kingsmead and Princes Mead), pedestrianised high street (Queensmead) and retail parks.

• Farnborough Market

  address: Queensmead
  Colourful street market with a variety of stalls selling fruit and veg, meat, seafood, cheese, bread and pastries, clothing and carpets.

• Pinehurst car-boot sale

  address: Pinehurst car park
  British version of a yard sale, selling knickknacks and bits of potentially-valuable junk.

In the south of Farnborough, the suburb of North Camp has a varied selection of independent specialist shops, including bakeries, butchers, delicatessens, book shops, and sports and outdoor equipment stores.
For a more complete shopping experience, the nearby town of Camberley is more promising, and slightly further afield Basingstoke, Guildford, Kingston upon Thames, Reading and Woking are the leading regional shopping centres, central London notwithstanding.

Supermarkets

• ASDA

  address: Westmead, GU14 7LT
  24-hour hypermarket

• Morrisons

  address: Summit Avenue, Southwood, GU14 0NA
  Convenient for travellers staying in Cove or Southwood. Equipped with a petrol station.

• Sainsbury's

  address: 6 Queensmead, GU14 7GL
  Handy for town centre hotels.

North-East Hampshire is the place to try Nepalese food in Britain, being home to around 10,000 Nepali people. Aside from Himalayan cuisine, Farnborough has a good choice of independent restaurants and cafés to suit any taste or budget and, with some exceptions, is mercifully free of the chain restaurants found everywhere else (if you're looking for the likes of Pizza Express or Nando's, go to Aldershot). Some pubs listed in the 'drink' section also serve food, but are primarily known as drinking establishments.

Budget

In the Town Centre, you will find the usual selection of chain coffee shops (Starbucks and Costa) and fast food (McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Subway, Domino's, Papa John's and Wimpy), but below are some independent budget eateries worth your time:

• Aviators Café and Bar

  phone: +44 1252 894895
  address: The Hub, Fowler Avenue, GU14 7JP
  Serves a tasty selection of breakfasts and lunches, popular with local workers.

• Daisy's Cafe

  phone: +44 7717 856-154
  address: 86 Queens Road, GU14 6JR
  Super-friendly local cafe, serving delicious Turkish-influenced fried food in outrageously big portions. Best breakfast in Farnborough.

• FAB Café

  phone: +44 1252 313103
  address: Farnborough Library, Pinehurst Roundabout, GU14 7JZ
  Community café within a public library, staffed by young people with learning disabilities, aiming to pick up new skills for starting their careers. Read happy with coffee and a cake!

• Good Taste

  phone: +44 1252 266164
  address: 76 Queensmead, GU14 7SB
  Farnborough's only artisan bakery; prepares sandwiches to order at lunchtime.

• Mart's Fish and Chips

  phone: +44 1252 541742
  address: 61 Cove Rd, GU14 0EX
  The best chippy in town, always busy. Takeaway only.

• The Gallery

  phone: +44 1252 407 171
  address: Farnborough College of Technology, Boundary Road, GU14 6SB
  Absurdly cheap fine dining courtesy of FCOT's catering and hospitality students. The chefs and waiters get to hone their skills on you, and you get to dine on scallops and venison for peanuts.

• The Triangle

  phone: +44 1252 519172
  address: 64 Kingsmead, GU14 7SR
  Pleasant town centre café and Christian bookstore, eat in or takeaway.

• The Tea Shop Around The Corner

  phone: +44 1252 522444
  address: 40 Camp Road, GU14 6EP
  A cute tea shop serving all the classics: scones, cakes, sandwiches and light meals.

Mid-range

• Dolce Italia

  phone: +44 1252 510604
  address: 47A Peabody Road, GU14 6EB
  This family-owned restaurant serves real Italian food just like Nonna used to make. The dated interior is more than offset by the friendly welcome.

• Everest Tandoori

  phone: +44 1252 371 363
  address: 69 Lynchford Road, GU14 6EJ
  Himalayan (Nepalese and Indian) restaurant, serves delicious food. A firm favourite with locals, so you can try something new with confidence.

• Gurkha Palace

  phone: +44 1252 511550
  address: 78 Farnborough Road, GU14 6TH
  Nepalese cuisine amidst decoration inspired by the Brigade of Gurkhas, who are largely based in the area. Known for its Sunday lunch buffet.

• Il Colosseo

  phone: +44 1252 517511
  address: 18 Alexandra Road, GU14 6DA
  Chef Antonio prepares regional dishes from his native southern Italy. The warm hospitality and tasty food more than make up for the décor.

• Malacca

  phone: +44 1252 545496
  address: 94 Reading Road, GU14 6NL
  Pan-Asian cooking, specialising in Malaysian and Thai food. One of Farnborough's best-loved restaurants, so don't be put off by their website or location.

• One Eleven

  phone: +44 1252 555 890
  address: The Aviator Hotel, 55 Farnborough Road, GU14 6EL
  Informal American dining, serving Louisiana Creole specialities, milkshakes and cocktails.

• The Crab & Anchor

  phone: +44 1252 378388
  address: Links Way, GU14 0NA
  Great British pub grub, popular with travellers staying in Southwood and those on business.

• The Snow Goose

  phone: +44 1252 545 694
  address: 135 Fernhill Road, GU14 9DX
  Family- and pet-friendly pub with a great selection of traditional meat dishes, including Hampshire pork chops and sausages. Two gardens, of which the family one is home to pigs, rabbits and a golden retriever called Russell.

• The Swan

  phone: +44 1252 510920
  address: 91 Farnborough Road, GU14 6TL
  Gastropub serving seasonal and locally-produced British food, in a similar style to its sister restaurant (the Aviator Brasserie) but at more affordable prices.

Splurge

• The Aviator Brasserie

  phone: +44 1252 555 893
  address: The Aviator Hotel, 55 Farnborough Road, GU14 6EL
  The only fine dining restaurant in town serves seasonal British and European cuisine. Many dishes use local produce, all are well-prepared and are of impressive quality. The restaurant itself is an intimate setting in low light.

• Verve Grill

  phone: +44 1250 710675
  address: Village Hotel, Pinehurst Road, GU14 7BF
  Specialist in grilled meat and fish. The wine list is expensive, but not that extensive.

Farnborough is something of a ghost town after dark, despite the new cinema and great restaurant selection bringing in extra evening footfall. Visitors looking for proper nightlife are advised to head into London. The glittering lights of the wallet-munching West End - Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Soho - are only 45 minutes away on the train and Tube, after all. The last train home leaves Waterloo just after 1AM, though true night owls will hold out for the first morning service at 6:12AM!
For those content with a quieter evening, Farnborough does offer a selection of decent pubs and bars, many of which hum with locals on weekend nights. If nothing else, you will find a proper pint and good conversation.

• Aviator Sky Bar

  phone: +44 1252 555890
  address: Aviator Hotel, 55 Farnborough Road, GU14 6EL
  Stylish lounge bar for cocktails.

• The Alexandra

  phone: +44 1252 519964
  address: 74 Victoria Road, GU14 7PH
  Traditional red brick pub with beer garden and rooms available (see 'sleep' section). Bar food served weekday lunchtimes and live music every Sa and Su evenings.

• The Prince of Wales

  phone: +44 1252 545578
  address: 184 Rectory Road, GU14 8AL
  CAMRA award-winning local pub with good real ales and traditional pub food.

• The Public House

  phone: +44 1250 710675
  address: Village Hotel, Pinehurst Road, GU14 7BF
  Hotel sports bar with decent wine list.

• The Squirrel

  phone: +44 1252 523980
  address: 125 Park Road, GU14 6LR
  Quiet locals' pub with beer garden and pub food served.

• The Swan

  phone: +44 1252 510920
  address: 91 Farnborough Road, GU14
  Although more a 'gastropub' these days with the prices to match, The Swan deserves a mention here due to its good range of ales from local brewers, in addition to a well-stocked wine bar. No longer lets rooms.

• The Tilly Shilling

  phone: +44 1252 893560
  address: The Meads, Victoria Road, GU14 7PG
  A large JD Wetherspoon pub named for Beatrice Shilling, an aeronautical engineer who worked at Farnborough during the Second World War, repairing fighter planes. The pub retains an aviation ambiance. Meals and bar snacks available.

Farnborough is a common destination for business travellers, and is a well-connected location for exploring London and the South East (see below), so has a strong and varied accommodation base. Those wishing to stay in the town in the run up to or during the airshow (spring-summer 2020) are advised to reserve a room well in advance, as local hotels are usually full of contractors and other temporary workers at this time.

Budget

• Premier Inn Farnborough Town Centre

  phone: +44 871 527 9628
  address: 3 Kingsmead, GU14 7SJ
  Modern town centre branch of the reliable motel chain. Rooms are insulated from road noise. Free Wi-Fi, air conditioning. Beefeater restaurant on-site. Parking available offsite, pay and display.

• Premier Inn Farnborough West (Southwood)

  phone: +44 871 527 8398
  address: 101 Ively Road, Southwood, GU14 0JP
  Older, suburban branch. Free wifi, Brewers Fayre restaurant (breakfast and dinner) next door.

• Silverdale Guest House

  phone: +44 1252 541891
  address: 68 Alexandra Road
  Bed and breakfast in Edwardian townhouse. Free Wi-Fi, TV and DVD in room, communal lounge, free off-street parking. Breakfast included.

• Travelodge Farnborough Central

  phone: +44 871 984 6423
  address: Victoria Road, GU14 9RQ
  Town centre branch of the budget hotel chain. Hotel warns there may be road noise. Breakfast and dinner available in on-site restaurant. Pay for Wi-Fi. Parking available offsite, pay and display.

• Travelodge Fleet

  phone: +44 8715 591821
  address: Cove Road, Fleet GU51 2SH
  At a small service station on the western edge of Farnborough, and cheaper than the central Travelodge. No on-site restaurant. £4.95, booked in advance, will buy you a rather depressing "breakfast box". Pay for Wi-Fi. Free parking.

Mid-range

• Airport Lodge Guest House

  phone: +44 1252 692955
  address: 110 Farnborough Road, GU14 6TN
  Small B&B overlooking the airport. Free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee. Fridge and en;suite in each room. Continental breakfast. Free off-street parking.

• Falcon Hotel

  phone: +44 1252 545378
  address: 68 Farnborough Road, GU14 6TH
  Three-star (self-awarded) boutique hotel with 30 bedrooms. Lobby bar, private hire restaurant, wifi, airport views. Free off-street parking.

• Holiday Inn

  phone: +44 871 942 9029
  address: Lynchford Road, GU14 6AZ
  Email: online contact form on website. A grand Victorian hotel offering the standard Holiday Inn experience across 142 rooms: free Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service and health club with swimming pool, steam room and gym. Restaurant on site, where kids eat free.

• SACO Aparthotel

  phone: +44 330 202 0505
  address: 2 Victoria Road, GU14 7GX
  In a converted office building. Well-supplied with essentials (milk, laundry detergent, etc.), with fully-equipped kitchen and free Wi-Fi.

• The Alexandra

  phone: +44 1252 519964
  address: 74 Victoria Road, GU14 7PH
  Three-star (AA) inn. Primarily a pub (see 'drink' section), the Alexandra also has three en suite bedrooms. Free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee. TV snd DVD in room.

• Village Hotel

  phone: +44 871 222 4590
  address: Pinehurst Road, GU14 7BF
  Large and modern 4-star hotel with flat screen TV and free Wi-Fi as standard. Upgrade for Sky TV and access to the hotel's gym and swimming pool. On-site restaurant (see 'eat' section) and bar (see 'drink').

Splurge

• The Aviator Hotel

  phone: +44 1252 555890
  address: 55 Farnborough Road, GU14 6EL
  Four-star contemporary luxury, with rooms, studios and suites overlooking the airfield. Home to two restaurants (see 'eat' section), a bar (see 'drink' section) and gym. Beauty treatments available. Also holds events and exhibitions. Free off-street parking.

Unusual options

• Runway's End Outdoor Centre

  phone: +44 1252 344421
  address: 1 Forge Lane, Aldershot GU11 2RE
  The outdoor centre has indoor, self-catering accommodation, and extensive camping ground for groups. Toilets, showers and washing-up facilities provided. All the activities listed in the 'do' section of this page are available. Booking is essential. These facilities are aimed at groups, especially school and youth groups, but other groups are welcome.

• Live with monks at St Michael's AbbeyMale visitors may stay in the monastery itself and share the Benedictine monks' daily lives and worship. Separate self-catering accommodation exists for female visitors and families. No long-term retreats are offered, but visits may last up to several days. All such visits must be pre-negotiated and are entirely at the discretion of the monks themselves - write to the guest master.

• Farnborough Library

  phone: +44 300 555 1387
  address: Pinehurst, GU14 7JZ
  The municipal library offers computers, printing and photocopying facilities, free Wi-Fi, and a quiet place to sit and read. Tourist information, including brochures for local attractions, is available.

• Rushmoor Borough Council

  phone: +44 1252 398399
  address: Council Offices, Farnborough Road, GU14 7JU
  The local government authority for Farnborough and neighbouring town Aldershot. The council also provides details for places of worship in the borough.

If you're exploring South East England, Farnborough is a great place to base yourself. All the towns and attractions listed below are within 30 miles of Farnborough (with one obvious exception!), and many are a lot closer.

Immediate vicinity

• , Farnborough's immediate neighbour to the south, is the natural next port of call. The "home of the British Army" is home to two military museums, an artificial ski slope and a lido, as well as Rushmoor's two theatres.
• , the neighbouring town to the north has a wider range of shops, the Royal Logistics Corps Museum and the popular canal-side Frimley Lodge Park.
• , an historic market town with an attractive selection of independent shops and a castle. Just to the south is avian zoo Birdworld.
• , a nearby town named after a 28-ha medieval lake that used to supplied fish to the monks in Winchester.
• , the nearby county town of Surrey has the newest Anglican cathedral in Britain, an art deco masterpiece dating from the 1930s.
• , a small Georgian market town surrounded by pretty countryside and a castle which was once besieged by the French.
• , a village whose name is synonymous with military prestige, as it is where all British Army officers receive initial training.
• , another commuter town like Farnborough with its own sights, including the oldest mosque in Britain.

• , home to a huge number of British, Commonwealth and Allied war graves from the World Wars and the modern era.

Further afield

• London is impossible to sum up in a sentence, and impossible to miss out when you're this close.
• Alton is a pretty mid-Hants market town, start of the Watercress Line steam railway, and near to the homes of Jane Austen and Gilbert White.
• Ascot is perfect for a day at the races, with the annual highlight being Royal Ascot.
• Hampton Court Palace is often compared unfavourably to Versailles - by fools overlooking the magnificent 500-year-old royal palace in front of them!
• The South Downs National Park's rolling chalk hills are south of Farnham.
• Winchester, the ancient cathedral city of King Alfred the Great.
• Windsor, home to the famous royal castle and expansive Great Park. Nearby Eton is home to the prestigious boys' school, while Runnymede was the island where King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta.
• A trio of theme parks: Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland and Thorpe Park
• Tons of fine gardens and stately homes: RHS Wisley, Clandon Park, Hatchlands Park, Leith Hill, Loseley and Painshill (all near Guildford), Bushy Park (Kingston-upon-Thames), Ham House, Richmond Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew), The Vyne (Tadley), Highclere Castle (north Hampshire, near Newbury), Valley Gardens and Savill Garden (Windsor Great Park).
• Oberursel, Farnborough's German twin town, is a medieval gem near Frankfurt.