Farnborough

Sir Frank Whittle memorial

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

Farnborough International Airshow

The airshow is held in Farnborough Airport for one week every two years. Public days are the last weekend only, 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.

late July

Samuel Franklin Cody memorial

A 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.

St Michael's Abbey

Abbaye Saint-Michel - Chapelle impériale

Built by Empress Eugénie de Montijo in the 1880s, the abbey's main attraction is its typically French Flamboyant Neo-Gothic chapel, beneath which lie Napoleon III, his wife and their son, Louis Napoléon Eugène. The abbey is 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, grounds and imperial crypt. The mass and vespers, sung in Latin Gregorian chant, are an unusual experience. The tiny shop stocks handmade religious memorabilia, local history books printed by the abbey press, and produce from the monks' farm.

Public guided tours: Sat 3PM, private tours by appointment; mass Mon-Sat 8AM, Sun 9AM, vespers 4:45PM; shop closed during the pandemic, but open online·Tours £5 pp minimum donation; children free · Heritage listed

Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum

FAST

Local gem dedicated to retelling Farnborough's extensive aviation history, from early balloons and canvas aircraft, through the world wars, the first jet engines, wind tunnel trials, supersonic flight and space exploration. Static aircraft on display include a Hawker Hunter, Harrier T4, Lightning, Puma and Gazelle, which you can sit inside. Or you can try your hand at flying in one of the cockpit simulators. The Cody pavilion houses a scale replica of the pioneer's first plane and an exhibition on his exciting life. However, the museum's greatest assets are its volunteers, who are genuine experts on the exhibits and are always keen (occasionally a little too keen!) to impart their knowledge.

Sat Sun bank holiday Mon 10AM-4PM·Free; donations welcome. Small shop and café on-site · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

The Prince of Wales

CAMRA award-winning free house with good real ales and craft lagers. Hasn't served food since lockdown. Sporadic live music and quiz evenings.

Mon–Thu 3–11PM, Fri Sat noon–11PM; Sun noon–10:30PM·Limited wheelchair access · Outdoor seating

The Alexandra

The Alex

Traditional red brick pub with jukebox, beer garden and bar food served lunchtimes. Poker and quiz nights during week, with live music every Friday night..

Mon–Thu noon–11PM, Fri Sat noon–midnight, Sun noon–10:30PM·Limited wheelchair access

The North Camp

Sports-oriented pub that's actually rather smart inside, and has an above-average selection of cocktails (for Farnborough). Has pool table and jukebox, but the "beer garden" is just a couple of tables on the pavement.

Mon–Sat noon–11:30PM, Sun 11:30AM–10:30PM·Outdoor seating

The Swan

Gastropub serving seasonal and locally-produced British food. Very smart beer garden with views of incoming planes and a prime spot for the airshow. Beware of the changeable and inconsistent opening hours.

Wed–Fri 5PM–11:45PM, Sat Sun noon–11:45PM (bar only; kitchen times differ)·Mains: £15–20 · Outdoor seating

Good Taste

Local small chain bakery. The bread, pastries and coffee are nice, but the sandwich fillings are poor.

Mon–Sat;9AM–3PM; Sun 10AM–3PM·Wheelchair accessible

Everest Tandoori

Nepalese and Indian restaurant which offers an aromatic mix of the familiar and unexpected. A firm favourite with locals, so you can try something new with confidence. Takeaway and delivery available.

Mon&bdash;Sat 5ː30–10PM·Mains £10-14

Gurkha Palace

Nepalese cuisine amidst decoration inspired by the Brigade of Gurkhas, who have deep roots in the area. Booking recommended. Takeaway and delivery available.

Mon–Thu 6–10ː30PM, Fri–Sun 5ː30–10ː30PM·Mains £10-15

The Crab & Anchor

Great British pub grub served alongside international favourites. All food is freshly prepared to order, so service can be slower than the average pub. Despite a weird location, the place is popular with travellers and locals, so booking is recommended.

Tue–Sat noon–11PM, Sun noon–10:30PM·Mains £12–30

The Thatched Cottage

The Thatch

16th-century former pottery, now a free house serving a range of local real ales, ciders and gins, and decent pub grub (see kitchen times here). Very rustic and cosy front half with a modern back room and large beer garden.

Daily noon–11:30PM, Fri Sat 12:30AM

King George V Playing Fields

Extensive open space which hosts a number of events throughout the year, including Farnborough's famous donkey derby. Three football pitches, a cricket pitch and bowling green. Large playground.

24 hours daily

Queen Elizabeth Park

The last vestige of Windsor Forest in Farnborough was once part of Farnborough Hill Estate; Empress Eugénie used to call it Compiègne Wood after the royal estate in France. There are plenty of beautiful mature trees and rhododendron shrubs which flower in spring. Lots of wildlife including foxes, buzzards, red kites, woodpeckers and common garden birds. Small pond, play area, and children's climbing wall near the Cabrol Road end.

24 hours daily, but car parks open dawn to dusk

Southwood Country Park

of greenspace linked together in 2019. The easternmost part, known as Rafborough Marshes, is mixed wetland and woodland at the source of Cove Brook. Straddling Ively Road is a former golf course which has been converted into parkland. West of this area is the deciduous Southwood Woodland, mostly of birch and oak, but with some clearings where heather prospers. The whole park has a multitude of wildlife, including deer, badgers, nationally-rare insects, reptiles and amphibians.

24 hours daily

Daisy's Cafe

Super-friendly greasy spoon, serving delicious Turkish-influenced fried food in outrageously big portions. Consistently busy, with speedy service.

Mon–Sat 7AM–4PM, Sun 8AM–4PM·Breakfasts about £7 · Outdoor seating

Malacca

Pan-Asian cooking, specialising in Malaysian and Thai food. Diners generally share several small plates. One of Farnborough's best-loved restaurants, so don't be put off by their woeful online presence.

Mon–Sat 6–11PM·Menu items £6-11

The Aviator Brasserie

Email via online contact form. The only "full-whack" 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 Brasserie (main restaurant) and Sky Bar (afternoon teas) offer an intimate setting in low light, while the Terrace offers outdoor seating with sweeping airport views during the warmer months.

Lunch: Mon–Fri noon–2PM, Sun 12:30–3PM; afternoon tea: daily 2–5PM; dinner: daily 6–10PM·À la carte mains £19–£32, three-course dinner set menu £35, Sunday lunch £35, afternoon tea £30, £40 with champagne, special steak dinner for two £75

The Snow Goose

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.

Mon–Sat noon–9PM, Sun 10AM–4PM (food); Mon–Thu 11AM–11PM, Fri Sat 11AM–midnight, Sun noon–10:30PM (bar)·Mains £9–17

The Tea Shop Around The Corner

Floral tablecloths and china cups abound in this cute North Camp tearoom serving all the classics: scones, cakes, sandwiches and light meals.

Mon–Sat 9AM–4PM; Sun 10AM–2PM·Meals £5-8

The Tilly Shilling

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.

Daily 8AM–midnight, Fri Sat 1AM

Farnborough Market

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

Tue Fri 9AM-4PM·Free

The Squirrel

Quiet locals' pub with beer garden and quite extensive food menus, including weekday set menus for £11/14 (2/3 courses). Large gin menu, including gin of the month, and a rotating selection of real ales.

Daily 11AM–11PM, Thu–Sat midnight·Wi-Fi · Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

Il Colosseo

Email via online contact form. Chef Antonio prepares regional dishes from his native southern Italy. Quite smart décor, with columns, large windows and chandeliers. Takeaway available.

Mon–Sat 6–10PM·Mains £11-27 · Takeaway

The Elephant & Castle

Cheaper than the North Camp five doors down, with a long room squeezed next to the bar. Large gin and lager selection, and sports on the telly.

Daily 10AM-11PM, Sat Sun midnight·Outdoor seating

Dolce Italia

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. Takeaway available.

Mon–Sat 6–10PM·Mains £11-17

The Farnborough Centrifuge

Grade II-listed centrifuge which was operated by the RAF for medical research into the effects of g-force on the human body from 1955 to 2019. The 2-hour tour is led by a retired research scientist and test subject, who explains in detail the purpose of the research, some of their findings, and their first-hand experiences, with the visual help of the facility's equipment and archive footage.

By appointment, but check website for events like the Heritage Open Days in Sep.·£15 per person, £25 per couple, including souvenir booklet

Vue Cinema

8-screen multiplex cinema showing all the latest new releases.

Nearly unbeatable flat price of £4.99 for any movie, any time · Wheelchair accessible