Things to do with kids in Farnborough
16 family-friendly places in Farnborough: zoos, aquariums, playgrounds and more.
Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.
Things to do with kids in Farnborough
SeeMonasterySt 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 onlineTours £5 pp minimum donation; children free · Heritage listed
- DoPark
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
- DoPark
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
- Eat
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
- EatItalian restaurant
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 6–10PMMains £11-17
- Do
Cove Green
Cove's village green is mostly a flat expanse of grass for ball games, exercise and picnics, but it also has a children's playground and free tennis courts. A popular place to watch the airshow for free; if you do so, arrive on foot or by public transport.
24 hours daily
- Do
Farnborough Donkey Derby
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.
late May or early JuneAdults £2; Children £1
- Do
Go-Karting
Teamsport Farnborough
Race electric karts at up to 65 km/h along an 800-m indoor track on two levels.
Open every day, contact venue for timesFor 30 minutes' race time: Adults and teens £33, children (ages 8–13) £30
- Do
The Jamaican Story Garden
Homeowners Jonathan and Andreas have created a rather spellbinding miniature garden in front of their house. Hidden amongst the tropical plants is a model village depicting an idealised version of Nanny Town, where escaped slaves sought refuge from the British in the mountains of Jamaica. There are lots of hidden details that kids love to spot, from a venus fly trap and newts in the 'river', to a giant spider and stick men enjoying various activities. In summer, they open an outdoor pop-up café in the South East Asian-themed back garden, serving inventive drinks, cakes and lunches.
mid Spring-late summer daily dawn-dusk; just walk around at your leisure Café: Jul-Aug Sat Sun by reservationFree. Café items £2-5, high tea £21.50
- Do
360 Play
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.
£5 registration fee per family, plus: £8.25 per child aged 1-3, £10.25 per child aged 4-12, £3.50 per accompanying adult. Babies younger than 1 enter free
DoWatersports at Hawley Lake
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.
Taster sessions £32 for 2 hours 30 minutes; other prices vary
- Do
Laser Run
Indoor laser tag arena for kids and teens.
Open every day, contact venue for timesFrom £4.25 pp per game
- Do
Run-About
Indoor soft play centre for kids.
Mon–Fri 9:30AM–6PM; Sat Sun 10AM–6PMChildren 0–6 months old: free; 6 months–1 year old: £1.50; 1–2 years old: £3.50; 2–4 years old: £5; 4–10 years old: £6. Parents and accompanying adults: free
- DoMiniature golf course
Putt Club Crazy Golf Farnborough
28 Invincible Rd
- DoAmusement park
James Noyce & Sons Funfair
11 Peabody Road
- DoAmusement park
Legoland Windsor
Farnborough
Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Farnborough (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.