Six original Heritage Trails, a musical route through the town centre and a nature reserve on the outskirts give Aldershot its distinct character. The Aldershot Heritage Trails tell the story of the town from its beginnings as a small village in 1850. This raises a practical question for planning your trip: are you particularly interested in local history, military history, trails in green surroundings or a cultural programme? You can choose places and activities according to these themes without treating them as a single route.

Local history on six Heritage Trails

The six original Heritage Trails are called Marlborough, Stanhope, Wellington, Redan, Town and Village. Together, the Aldershot Heritage Trails tell the story of the town’s development since it was a small village in 1850. Their names offer a simple guide if you would like to start by exploring the historic trails. The Aldershot Mixtape Trail also offers a musical route through the centre of Aldershot. It has a different thematic focus from the Heritage Trails: music takes centre stage here, while the Heritage Trails tell the story of the town.

The Aldershot Military Conservation Area is also part of the town’s historical character. It is designated as an area of special architectural or historic interest. If you are interested in the military past, Redan Hill offers a tangible link to early fortifications: the hill was one of the first field forts built in Aldershot. It was used for training purposes until the 1860s.

Redan Hill and the Aldershot Military Museum

The area around Redan Hill is maintained for recreational use. On the hill stands an exact replica of an 1848 32-pounder cannon and its carriage. Here, the history of an early field fort, its historic use for training and a striking military object come together. These different details make Redan Hill especially interesting if you want to learn not just the names of historic places, but also about their specific military history.

The Aldershot Military Museum is housed in the only surviving brick barracks blocks in Aldershot. Its exhibits include tanks, armoured personnel carriers and other military vehicles. The museum also has an obstacle course inspired by the Second World War. The building, vehicles and course offer different ways to explore military history: architecture, military equipment and a course with a historical connection.

Trails and nature on the outskirts of Aldershot

Rowhill Nature Reserve is a 55-acre nature reserve on the outskirts of Aldershot and the source of the River Blackwater. The reserve has a network of trails and a large meadow, part of which is managed as a wildflower meadow. This provides a distinct focus on nature alongside the historical themes. While the Heritage Trails tell the story of the town, the trails in the reserve offer a way to explore a landscape of paths and meadows.

The Aldershot Park Angling Club is based at the lake in Aldershot Park. The club welcomes beginners, young people and people with disabilities, as well as more experienced anglers. The Blackwater Valley River Path also runs along the eastern end of the park. The Blackwater Valley Path stretches for 23 miles from Farnham to Swallowfield in Berkshire and is suitable for cycling and walking. The details about its length, endpoints and activities help you distinguish it from a walk in the park or a visit to the nature reserve.

Cultural programme and practical information

Princes Hall in Aldershot hosts more than 50 professional performances a year. If you are planning a visit, check the hall’s current programme, as details can change. This adds another option to the historical and natural themes when planning your trip: alongside trails and historic places, you can also take performances into account.

Bus route number 15 is the closest bus connection to Aldershot Lido. As bus services can change, check the connection before travelling. This lets you factor the bus route into your plans while also checking the latest information before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Eastleigh, Liss, Liphook, Heckfield, South Hayling, Wolverton, Alton, Hound

For the wider travel overview: Hampshire.