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Historic places in Farnborough

17 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Farnborough.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Sir Frank Whittle memorial, Farnborough
Photo: LambOfDog, Public domain

Historic places in Farnborough

  1. SeeMonument

    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.

  2. SeeMemorial

    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.

  3. SeeMonastery

    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 onlineTours £5 pp minimum donation; children free · Heritage listed

  4. SeeMuseum

    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-4PMFree; donations welcome. Small shop and café on-site · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

  5. EatNepalese restaurant

    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 5ː30–10ː30PMMains £10-15

  6. DrinkPub

    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 midnightOutdoor seating

  7. See

    St Peter's Church

    This Anglican church's crypt is believed to house the remains of many of the Earls of Anglesey, and it is a pretty Norman church in its own right, probably with Saxon origins. On one of the walls inside is the damaged remains of a medieval fresco depicting Saints Agnes, Eugenia, and Mary Magdalene, which was uncovered by accident in 1880 at roughly the same time the Empress moved into Farnborough; coincidence or Divine providence?

    Free

  8. SeeHistoric site

    English Electric Lightning

    The English Electric Lightning is a British fighter aircraft that served as an interceptor from 1960 to 1988. It is capable of a top speed above Mach 2. The Lightning was designed, developed, and manufactured by English Electric.

  9. SeeHistoric site

    Portable Airship Hangar

    Wheelchair accessible

  10. SeeMemorial

    Cockadobby Hill War Memorial

  11. SeeMemorial

    Edward T Busk memorial

  12. SeeMemorial

    Farnborough Air Show 1952

  13. SeeHistoric site

    Historic 24ft Low Speed Windtunnel

    Hall Road

  14. SeeHistoric site

    Historic 4ft x 3ft Windtunnel

  15. SeeHistoric site

    Historic 8ft x 6ft Transonic & 11 1/2 ft Low Speed Windtunnels

    O'Gorman Avenue

  16. SeeHistoric building

    Historic Seaplane Testing Tank

    Hall Road

  17. SeeArchaeological site

    Tumulus

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Farnborough (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).