Discover Farnborough: Aviation History, Heritage Trails and Nature Trails

Farnborough combines impressive aviation history with the history of the town, guided cultural experiences and paths through green spaces. Those planning a trip and wishing to visit more than just a single attraction will find a range of themes for shared discoveries here: heritage trails lead through several historic areas, museums bring technical developments to life, and Southwood Country Park offers around 5 km of circular routes for walking and cycling.

Discover Farnborough on Heritage Trails

The Farnborough Heritage Trails cover the history of Farnborough Street, aviation history, North Camp, St Peter’s and Cove Village. An app complements the routes at the points of interest with audio stories, images and facts. This allows you to focus your walk more closely on individual themes rather than viewing the town solely through a general list of attractions.

The Farnborough Street Trail focuses on the town’s early pottery industry. St Peter’s Parish Church provides another historic highlight and, according to Rushmoor, is considered the oldest building in Farnborough. These stops are suitable for planning a trip that combines local history with a walk, without requiring all experiences to follow the same theme.

Aviation in the Museum and Preserved Wind Tunnels

Aviation can be experienced in particularly varied ways in Farnborough. The FAST Museum houses aircraft and aircraft models, satellites, flight simulators and other material relating to the Royal Aircraft Establishment. You can also see a working model of the Man Rated Centrifuge there. It was used to study the effects of G-forces on the human body and to develop anti-G suits. The museum also displays a working model of the Göttingen wind tunnel and models from wind tunnel testing.

The Wind Tunnels Tour provides a direct insight into two preserved wind tunnels. The 24 Foot Wind Tunnel in Farnborough opened in 1935 and operated until 1994. The Farnborough Air Sciences Museum is housed in a building originally constructed as an Army Balloon School. The Cody Pavilion contains a scale replica of Samuel Cody’s Flyer. Those interested in specific technical objects can combine these various stops into their own aviation-focused itinerary.

Abbey Church, Library and Special Visit Formats

The townscape also reflects its religious and imperial history. The crypt of the Abbey Church of St Michael serves as a mausoleum for Napoleon III, the Prince Imperial and Empress Eugénie. Every Saturday at 3 p.m., Saint Michael’s Abbey offers a guided tour of the Abbey Church and the Imperial Crypt. Advance booking is not required; the tour lasts approximately one hour.

The National Aerospace Library focuses on the development of aeronautics, aviation and space technology. Everyone is welcome to consult its extensive materials. The regular tour lasts 90 minutes and includes a presentation as well as time to browse the collection. In addition to exhibitions, Farnborough therefore offers access to in-depth research and historical holdings.

Nature, Airshow and Choosing Your Accommodation

For a change of pace from museums and historic buildings, Southwood Country Park offers around 5 km of circular routes designed for walking and cycling. This allows you to vary your daily itinerary between technical topics, culture and physical activity. The Farnborough International Airshow takes place every two years. The public day, Pioneers of Tomorrow, includes practical activities, interactive exhibitions and flying displays.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Farnborough, you can therefore first decide which experiences should be the main focus: heritage trails and local history, aviation and technology, the guided tour at Saint Michael’s Abbey or paths in Southwood Country Park. For visits to the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, the travel information for Farnborough Main is also useful: the station is 1.5 miles from the exhibition site and can be reached by taxi in five minutes.

Compare More Destinations

If you would like to consider destinations besides Farnborough, you can find Hythe, Penton Mewsey, Whitsbury, Basingstoke, Damerham, Romsey, New Milton and Lyndhurst here.

For the overarching travel overview: Hampshire.