Parks and the outdoors in Farnborough

32 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Farnborough.

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

Do
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
DrinkPub
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–10:30PMLimited wheelchair access
DrinkPub
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–10:30PMOutdoor seating
EatGastropub
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
DrinkPub
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
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
DoPark
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
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
DrinkPub
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 midnightWi-Fi · Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible
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
Watersports 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
DoPark
Frimley Lodge Park
Frimley Lodge Park is a 24 hectares (59 acres) recreational site located between Frimley Green and Mytchett in Surrey, England.
DoPark
Napier Gardens
40 Lynchford Rd
DoPark
Queen's Parade
3 Farnborough Rd
DoPark
Queens Road Recreational Ground
Queens Road
DoPark
Frimley Green Recreation Ground
Frimley Green Rd
DoPark
Blunden Road Park
102 Blunden Rd
DoPark
King George V Playground
125 Sycamore Rd
DoPark
Rushmoor Parkrun
queens avenue
DoPark
Farnham Sculpture Park
DoNature reserve
Frimley - Frimley Lodge Park
Frimley Green Recreation Ground
DoPark
King George's Park
141 Sycamore Road
DoPark
Osborne Road Play Area
DoNature reserve
Snaky Lane Local Nature Reserve
Stratford Rd
DoPark
Priory Street Park
Priory St
DoSummit
Ball Hill
DoNature reserve
Birchwood Reserve
DoSummit
Cockadobby Hill
DoSummit
Danger Hill
DoSummit
Puckridge Hill
DoSummit
Smallshot Hill

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).