Surrounded by heathland, Aldershot is a historic town in the north-east of Hampshire. It is often referred to as the “Home of the British Army” due to the garrison that was established here in 1854 and still exists today. Aldershot grew rapidly in the following years, with many of its existing churches dating from the period.
Things to do in Aldershot
Occupying two Victorian-era barrack bungalows to the north of the town centre is the Aldershot Military Museum, which tells the story of the British Army's residence in Aldershot. As you browse the artefacts, uniforms and weaponry on display, you can learn about the development of the early military camp and the social history of the town. There are also exhibits dedicated to Saint Michael's Abbey and Farnborough’s pottery industry.
Aldershot’s green lung is Manor Park, which is home to an impressive, red-brick manor house that dates back to 1670. In addition to its children’s playground and skate ramp, the park also encompasses basketball and tennis courts. Each year, Manor Park hosts the Picnic & Pop Music Festival, which features live music, children’s activities and a fun fair.
On the southern edge of Aldershot is Tice's Meadow Nature Reserve, which was established on the former site of the Farnham Quarry. Centred around a small lake, it’s now a popular birding area, with everything from barn owls to grey herons and Arctic terns spotted here. Also nearby is Brickfields Country Park, a peaceful green space created from the remains of Victorian-era brickworks.
Getting around Aldershot
Aldershot is around 35 minutes' drive from Reading and one hour from London. Heathrow Airport is 30 minutes away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Aldershot railway station and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot.