Car Rental Farnborough

Parking in Farnborough

• Union Street East and West Car Parks are just off Union Street not far from the train station. Both are long-stay car parks.
• Napier Gardens Car Park is a short-stay car park with plenty of spaces. The entrance is on Queen’s Avenue.
• Queensmead Car Park is even bigger but is short stay. It’s close to the Meads Shopping Centre.

Traffic in Farnborough

As with most places, traffic is heavier around rush hour both in the morning around 7am to 10am and the evening from 4pm to 7pm. Traffic may be slightly busier around the M3.

More than 80,000 people head to the town for the airshow at the end of July, so you can expect more traffic around this time.

How to get from Farnborough Airport to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre

Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre is just 3km (2miles) from Farnborough Airport, making it a quick five minute drive after you’ve collected your Hertz rental car.

To get to from the airport to the home of the airshow:

• Drive out of the airport and at Range Road roundabout take the second exit.
• At Ively roundabout take the third exit onto Elles Road.
• At the next roundabout take the third exit to join Templer Avenue.
• Go straight over the roundabout onto Fowler Avenue.
• Turn right onto Trenchard Way and follow the road to the entrance.

Roads and motorways

Main routes in Farnborough

• The M3 runs along the north of the town. It heads south through Winchester towardsEastleigh and north into the outskirts of London.
• The A331 takes you through the town from north to south, joining the M3 to the A31.

Farnborough to Oxford

The charming city of Oxford is an hour and a half from Farnborough using the motorway network. Take the M3 and join the M25 heading north. Turn onto the M40 and follow this all the way to Oxford. Head here to visit one of England’s most famous and historical universities.

Farnborough to Bath

Farnborough is just a two-hour drive from the historic city of Bath. If you would like to see the Roman baths that give it its name, take the M3 towards Basingstoke. Join the A303 followed by the A36, which will take you into the city. 

Driving in Farnborough

In Farnborough, like the rest of the UK, people drive on the left and overtaking on the right. The speed limits are written in miles per hour. The speed limit on motorways is 70mph, or 112km/h.

What to see and do in Farnborough

Farnborough International Airshow

More than 1,500 exhibitors from over 48 countries appear at the five-day-long Farnborough International Airshow every other July. Wander among the different exhibits and stalls and chat with people from across the aviation and aerospace industry. Every afternoon you can enjoy the flying display. 

Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum

If you’re travelling to Farnborough outside of the air show but still want to catch a slice of the town’s aviation heritage, then visit the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum (GU14 6TF). You’ll see aircraft on display as well as photographs, documents and artefacts. There is also a demonstration wind tunnel and flight simulator. Car parking is free.

Saint Michael’s Abbey

Saint Michael’s Abbey (GU14 7NQ) is a Benedictine monastery. Take some time to admire the impressive exterior. If you want to step inside, there are guided tours at 3pm every Saturday. You’ll see the church and the Imperial Crypt. There are organ recitals on the first Sunday of the month throughout summer.  The train station’s car park is nearby.

Birdworld

Kids and adults alike will love coming face-to-face with the animals at Birdworld (GU10 4LD) - there are more than 2,000 to meet. As well as birds, you’ll see everything from crocodiles and piranhas to rabbits and sheep. Throughout the day, you can watch penguin feeding, outdoor flying displays and have animal encounters. Parking is available in site.

Farnborough’s best hotels

Aviator

If you are visiting for the airshow, the four-star Aviator Hotel (GU14 6EL) couldn’t be any closer. It’s the only one to sit on the edge of the private airport. Some of the studio rooms, which boast aviation-influenced decor, have floor to ceiling windows to enjoy the view. There are several restaurants and bars within the hotel.

Village Hotel Farnborough 

The modern Village Hotel (GU14 7BF) boasts comfortable rooms in the centre of town. The Business Club is perfect for those travelling with work. There is a Village Gym with a sauna, steam room and pool for a small additional cost. Visit the Village Pub & Grill for meals and an on-site Starbucks is ideal for your morning coffee.

Falcon Hotel

The three-star Falcon Hotel (GU14 6TH) is ideally located close to the town centre. The contemporary and comfortable bedrooms have recently been refurbished while keeping the character of the building. Breakfast is included to set you up for a busy day of sightseeing. There is plenty of space to park your rental car.

Farnborough’s best places to eat

The Swan

This gastropub is situated in a charming building in town that dates back to the 19th century. It’s become a local landmark and offers a unique view of the displays during the air show. You can order off the sandwich menu if you are after a lighter bite or there is a seasonal al carte and set menu. A traditional Sunday roast is also available.

Aviator Brasserie

Aviator Brasserie is a great place to stop and eat. Sample the tasting menu, tuck into Sunday roast or experience the afternoon tea. In the summer, you can take advantage of the terrace. The restaurant is situated in the Aviator Hotel and overlooks the private Farnborough airport. 

The Gallery Restaurant

Food is prepared by the ‘chefs of tomorrow’ at this restaurant situated in Farnborough College of Technology. The fine-dining restaurant is run by award-winning catering students assisted by professional chefs. You’ll enjoy a three-course meal, support students as they learn and enjoy high-quality for a low price.

Best day trips from Farnborough

South Downs National Park

Take the A3 and it’s just 45 minutes into the heart of the South Downs. Explore by car, winding down the window to breathe in the fresh country air and enjoy your lush green surroundings. Park up and pull on your walking boots to follow one of the trails.  

You’re ideally placed just half an hour from the outskirts of the capital. Join the M3 and it’ll take you just over an hour to reach the centre of London. Park up the car and explore world-famous landmarks on foot. Big Ben, The London Eye, Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge are just a few that you can see.

Brighton

It’s an hour and a half from here to Brighton on the south coast. Take the A3 to join the M25 heading east. Then drive onto the M23, followed by the A23. You’ll be walking down the pier and paddling in the sea before you know it.