Farnborough
Made famous by the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) and it's regular international air show, Farnborough has been the home of this prestigious flying and research corps since 1906. The RAE is now part of the British Defence Research Agency. The first air show took place in 1948 and is held in mid-July every two years, alternating with the Paris Air Show. The show is a showcase for many new military and civilian aeroplanes along with other classic aircraft.
Farnborough Air Show © Christine Matthews (CC2)
The history of the RAE is retold in The Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) Museum. Exhibits include a range of historic aircraft and equipment, including models, satellites, simulators, a wind tunnel and other related RAE materials. The museum and many of its artefacts are located in the Grade II listed Trenchard House, adjacent to Farnborough Airfield.
The settlement itself dates back to Saxon times and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The town is fairly unremarkable except for the flamboyant French Gothic St Michael's Abbey, built in 1881 by the Empress Eugénie de Montijo, wife Of Napoleon III. Napoleon, Eugenie and their son, the Prince Imperial, are buried in the abbey crypt. The house where she lived in Farnborough is now a Catholic girls' school.
Another building of interest is Saint Peter's church. Once part of the manor of Crondall, it has a Norman nave and an unusual 17th-c wooden tower.
Two miles to the south is the Aldershot army base and military centre, noted as the 'Home of the British army' and the 'Birthplace of British aviation'. The first British powered flight took place here in October 1908 and large numbers of troops were stationed here during the first and second world wars. This area began life as a small village up until the mid 19th-c when it quickly expanded as a result of the military training establishment. It has now effectively merged with Farnborough to the north.
The local history of the town and its training camps can be discovered in the Aldershot Military Museum, housed in part of the original Victorian barrack blocks.
Map of Farnborough
South East England
