Pictures of Aldershot
About Aldershot
This is a town whose history will be forever linked to that of the British Army.
A century and a half or so ago, Aldershot was just a quiet village at the centre of beautiful heathland countryside when the War Department identified it as the ideal location in which to build a camp for the Army. The site was mainly chosen for the fact that it was in close proximity to both London and Portsmouth. There is little doubt that the building of what was to become the home of the British Army did a great deal for the future prosperity of Aldershot.
Soldiers were first housed in tents and then in wooden huts, until in the 1890's a purpose built barracks was constructed. This Victorian camp was to be demolished in the changes of the 1960's
For anyone interested in the history of the British Armed Forces a visit to this town is a must. Here you will find Museums dedicted to the history and stirring deeds of almost every regiment, including; the army engineers, nursing and medical corps and the airborne forces. The Royal Army Dental Corps Museum shows dental instruments and records dating from 1914 to the present day. In all museums the life of each regiment is represented by uniforms, flags, medals and letters. There are relics from the time of Florence Nightingale and tributes to the only man to win the Victoria Cross twice, Lt.Col. Martin-Leake.
To the rear of the Garrison of All Saints, stands a great equestrian statue commemorating the Ist Duke of Wellington. It is a giant bronze of the Duke sitting on his horse Copenhagen and it is said that this statue once stood in London.
This pleasant town has a fascinating history and there are many beautiful buildings to be seen. In one part of the town there is a family business that dates back to 1725, it is one of the oldest in the town and on the third floor a museum tells the story of the family and a little of the history of the town.
Interestingly, in the foyer of Princes Hall there is a display dedicated to the Actor and Comedian, Arthur English who was made an Honoury Freeman of the Borough of Rushmoor.
The Heros Shrine, dedicated to the dead of the Second World War stands in the towns' pretty Manor Park.
Aldershot provides much that is interesting for the visitor. It has excellent shopping facilities and there are plenty of pubs and inns that serve good food and a splendid pint of beer. For those whose interest lies in the fortunes of the Armed Services and the birthplace of Aviation, a visit to this town is a richly rewarding experience.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Aldershot
| Aldershot Military Museum | (1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Hog's Back | (2.4 miles, 3.9 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Farnham Castle | (2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| St Michael's Abbey | (3.2 miles, 5.2 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Birdworld & Underwater World | (5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Yateley Country Park | (6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Loseley House | (6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Guildford Cathedral | (7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Lightwater Country Park | (7.6 miles, 12.3 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Guildford Castle | (8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Odiham Castle | (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Devils Punchbowl | (9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Winkworth Arboretum | (9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Chilworth Manor | (10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| California Country Park | (10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
All attractions in AldershotAll attractions in HampshireComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Aldershot
Farnborough, in the county of Hampshire (2.6 miles, 4.1 km, direction N)
This town is listed in the Doomsday Book of 1086, then it was a mere settlement which over the passing centuries developed into a village.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Farnham, a Historic Market Town in the county of Surrey (3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction SW)
It was King Caedwalla of Wessex who, in 688 bestowed the Manor of Farnham on the Bishop's of Winchester.
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Godalming, a Historic Market Town in the county of Surrey (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction SE)
A feature of the town is its long narrow streets, these stretch out from the River Wey and are lined with several gracious historic properties.
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Guildford, in the county of Surrey (8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction E)
It has a High Street of mellow Georgian buildings, and despite changing times Guildford is a town that has managed to maintain its charm and character.
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Woking, a Historic Market Town in the county of Surrey (9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction NE)
In the 17th-century the old part of Woking was a thriving market town with a lively population.
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Wonersh, a Picturesque Village in the county of Surrey (9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction E)
Picturesque village on the road from Guildford to Cranleigh. Here visitors will find a wealth of timber-frame black and white properties dominating the narrow village streets, thus the village retains a lovely timeless atmosphere.
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Hascombe, a Picturesque Village in the county of Surrey (10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction SE)
Part of the charm of Hascombe, are the several delightful gardens in the area, designed by Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) celebrated landscape designer of the 19th and 20th-century.
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Alton, in the county of Hampshire (11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction SW)
An historic market town which in recent times derived its prosperity from hop fields and the brewing industry, previously it had been a centre for wool and cloth.
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Shere, a Picturesque Village in the county of Surrey (12.6 miles, 20.2 km, direction E)
This lovely tranquil village on the picturesque Tillingbourne, nestles beneath the rolling countryside of the North Downs.
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Chawton, in the county of Hampshire (13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction SW)
In Chawton is the unassuming 18th-century cottage where Jane Austen once lived.
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Cranleigh, a Picturesque Village in the county of Surrey (13.9 miles, 22.4 km, direction SE)
The church is perhaps one of Cranleigh's most interesting features, in the south transept carved on an arch visitors can see the head of a grinning cat, this is believed to have been the inspiration for Lewis Carroll's Cheshire Cat.
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Woodley, in the county of Berkshire (15.4 miles, 24.7 km, direction NW)
There is much to do with England's great aviation history in the County of Berkshire, and at Woodley visitors will find the...
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Cobham, in the county of Surrey (15.9 miles, 25.6 km, direction E)
Cobham Mill rests on a picturesque stretch of the river surrounded by dipping weeping willows and graceful swans.
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Shepperton, a Picturesque Village in the county of Surrey (16.3 miles, 26.2 km, direction NE)
The charming village of Shepperton was once the haunt of legendary highwayman Dick Turpin who is said to have visited the village's 400 year hostelry - the atmospheric Anchor Hotel overlooking Church Square.
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Sonning on Thames, a Picturesque Village in the county of Berkshire (16.9 miles, 27.3 km, direction NW)
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All towns in HampshireComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Aldershot Station | (0.3 miles, 0.5 km) |
| Ash Station | (1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction E) |
| M3 Junction 4A | (4.3 miles, 6.9 km, direction NW) |
| M3 Junction 4 | (4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction N) |
| London Heathrow Airport | (20.3 miles, 32.7 km, direction NE) |
| London Gatwick Airport | (25.9 miles, 41.7 km, direction E) |
| Aldershot to London | (32.5 miles, 52.3 km, direction NE) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Aldershot
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Aldershot center |
| Potters International Hotel | (1.1 miles, 1.7 km) |
| Holiday Inn Farnborough | (1.8 miles, 2.9 km, direction N) |
| Princess Royal Lodge | (2.0 miles, 3.3 km, direction S) |
| Farnham Park Hotel | (2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction SW) |
| SACO Farnborough | (2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction N) |
| Falcon Hotel | (2.2 miles, 3.6 km, direction N) |
| Lakeside International Hotel | (4.0 miles, 6.5 km, direction N) |
| Lakeside Continental Hotel | (5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction N) |
| Days Inn Hotel Fleet | (5.4 miles, 8.8 km, direction NW) |
| Tekels Park Vegetarian Guest House | (5.7 miles, 9.1 km, direction N) |
| All hotels in Aldershot |