Founded prior to the Domesday Book of 1086, Farnborough lies in north-east Hampshire, on the outskirts of London. It’s renowned for its aviation history and was the former site of the Royal Aircraft Establishment, with its heritage-listed wind tunnels once used for research into aerodynamics.
Things to do in Farnborough
Aviation enthusiasts can visit the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum, which showcases part of its collection at the Grade II-listed Trenchard House. The building was constructed in 1907 as part of the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers headquarters. In addition to satellites and simulators, it exhibits aircraft that have played an important role in the development of Farnborough.
On the northern side of Farnborough’s railway line is Queen Elizabeth Park, a nine-hectare tract of woodland that’s popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists. It once formed part of the Farnborough Hill estate and Royal Windsor Great Park, with rhododendrons igniting the green space in spring. Kids can enjoy a run around at the Queen Elizabeth Play Park with its swings and slides.
Nearby is St Michael’s Abbey, which was established in 1881 by Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugenie, as a monument to her family. It was designed in a Flamboyant Gothic style by the French architect Gabriel-Hippolyte Destailleur and reportedly houses the thigh bone of St Alban. Admire the magnificent pipe organ and the National Shrine to Saint Joseph, then visit the crypt housing the sarcophagi of the Prince Imperial and Empress.
Getting around Farnborough
Farnborough is around an hour’s drive from the centre of London and 25 minutes from Heathrow Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Farnborough railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Farnborough can easily be explored on foot.