Farnborough
Farnborough is a town in the northeastern corner of the English county of Hampshire, adjacent to the borders with Surrey and Berkshire. Once an isolated hamlet, Farnborough grew into a medium-sized town over the course of the 20th century. This growth was built on the back of the aviation industry; Farnborough was the site of the first powered flight in Britain, made by Samuel Cody in 1904. Today, the aerospace, defence and technology industries thrive and aviation heritage is evident all around the town. Farnborough is best known as the home of the biennial Farnborough International Airshow, which has been running since 1948.
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- Do
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47 places match
DoFarnborough 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
- 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
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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
- DoCinema
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Wind Tunnels
Guided visit to two of Farnborough's listed wind tunnels: enormous structures which allowed the RAE to test the performance of its prototype aircraft in lab conditions, from 1931 to 1994. On the talk, you'll hear about how they were built and what research they contributed, particularly during the second world war and in the supersonic jet age.
Mar-Oct Thu 9:45AM, 1:45PM. Booking essential.£20 per person, including souvenir booklet
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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
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Organ recitals at the abbey
Annual series of six summer concerts, first Sunday of the month between May and October, and a special Advent concert. The Cavaillé-Coll organ is played by either resident organist Neil Wright or a guest recitalist.
Free, church collection
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Runways End Outdoor Centre
Offers activities such as indoor and outdoor climbing walls, an archery range, rifle shooting, orienteering, caving, and with the benefit of being next to the Basingstoke Canal, watersports such as kayaking, canoeing and raft-building. For groups, there is permanent indoor accommodation and an extensive area for camping.
Prices vary
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
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Laser Run
Indoor laser tag arena for kids and teens.
Open every day, contact venue for timesFrom £4.25 pp per game
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Ping Pong Parlour
Three indoor ping-pong tables, with bats and balls provided.
M-Sa 7:30AM-midnight, Su 9AM-midnightFree
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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
- 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
- DoMiniature golf course
Putt Club Crazy Golf Farnborough
28 Invincible Rd
- DoPark
Blunden Road Park
102 Blunden Rd
- DoCanoe & kayak hire service
Explore Activity & Education
The Quays, Coleford Bridge Rd
- DoPark
King George V Playground
125 Sycamore Rd
- DoPark
Rushmoor Parkrun
queens avenue
- DoAmusement park
James Noyce & Sons Funfair
11 Peabody Road
- DoCinema
Vue Cinema Camberley
Farnham
47 of 47 places have map locations.