Get to Know Aldershot in Under Five Minutes The Hampshire staycation destination that operates with military precision
Anyone who has been put off getting on a plane after the 2020 pandemic, will be interested in scouting around for potential new staycation destinations that they can visit. Here at Five Minutes Spare, we take great pride in reviewing these destinations in a pre-emptive effort to boost the UK tourism sector… the Lord above knows they need it.
So, with this in mind, let’s turn our marvellous ideals over the town of Aldershot. Is it somewhere we should be heading for a staycation this year? Or is it somewhere we should consider moving to ride out the apocalypse? Let’s find out with one of our customary tourist guides to Aldershot.
The Early History of Aldershot
Aldershot theoretically took its name from the alder tree. The Old English for a copse of Alder tress was ‘Alderholt’, so experts think the name was derived from that. This obviously means that this land was dominated by forest at one point, and this area was filled with one particular type of tree.
Early Aldershot was small, likely only a house or two that someone built in the forest. Even now, after an estimated 1500 years of existence, it still only harbours a population of about 37 thousand people. The urban area is in the 240k ballpark, of course, but the town itself is still quite small given its local significance.
We don’t know exactly how the town started, but from what we could track down online, we do know that it was a settlement at the time of the Domesday Survey of 1086, twenty years after King William the Conqueror took over.
During the Survey, Aldershot seems to have been included in the Hundred, instead of as its own place. The town was part of the Hundred of Crondall, which had about 22 stately households in total across a large area. There were approximately 75 villagers, 30 smallholders, and a massive 27 slaves in the area. It seems that the closer you got to London in those days, the more slaves were kept in your area.
The land was worth 42 pounds to its owner, the Bishop of Winchester… even though the country was invaded, they didn’t dare touch the church. In the 12th century, the Church of St Michael the Archangel was built but it is almost certain that there was a church on the site before then. A Cistercian abbey nearby established farms all over the area to keep the native pigs in. One was added in 1175 to graze sheep in. The first mention of the monks is in 1287.
Medieval Times
The Aldershot mansion was built in 1537, at which point it is supposed the area was still a sleepy parish town. The locals would have traded in farm produce, mainly cattle and leather goods. Timber, furniture, and wooden crafts would all have been important here through the ages. The addition of Aldershot place and a few swine farms were all that would have been in the area.
The Crondall Customary[i] in 1567 conducted a record of places in town. They noted three woodlands, two closes, a heath, and a field… and one more wood for good measure. So, we know that even in the 16th century, Aldershot was mostly woods. The Church of St Michael and All Angels went up in the 1500s too. In 1607 Aldershot was a notable market town, trading their pork and timber products with neighbouring towns.
By 1725, the local parish clergymen recorded a population of 6 scores and fifteen, which was about 255 people (we think). Five years before that there is still mention of a 50-acre wood in the area.
The bishop was noted as having called the town one of the most pleasant and picturesque hamlets in Hampshire in 1855… this was only a single year before the government bought three strips of land outside of town and dramatically changed the course of the town’s history, forever.
Let’s pause in the history for a little while to turn our attention to local trivia. It always serves you well to know a little about what you are getting into in an area before you agree to go there.
Fun Trivia About Aldershot
What interesting facts should you keep in mind about Aldershot? We sought out the coolest things to know about the place before you go there… Take our advice and memorise the following fun facts:
- The Duke of Wellington Statue that towers over everything was gifted to the army’s care in 1885. Naturally, they placed it in their then-home of Aldershot. Before that, the statue lived in London[ii].
Image Ben Molyneux/Shutterstock.com
- Undoubtedly the coolest place in town is the Alexander Observatory. Its ceiling moves via a series of pulleys and ropes that remarkably uncover a huge telescope. This is a classic example of Victorian engineering and is quite amazing to behold.
- Although a small town, the greater urban area of Aldershot is the 30th largest in the UK.
- Aldershot is synonymous with the British army nowadays and the presence of the soldiers turned it from a sleepy trading post in the forest to a bustling Victorian town.
Let’s pick back up there then and find out more about the Industrial era in Aldershot and how it changed things for the busier.
The Industrial Age in Aldershot
The industrial era brought the army to Aldershot in 1854. They bought three large strips of land when the Crimean War was in full swing. They built a garrison in the land, and this became the first-ever permanent training camp in the British army. Within ten years, the population of the town went from 857 people to 16,000 people. Almost overnight, houses had to be built, businesses had to spring up, trades were needed. A whole town was built in the blink of an eye accommodating the soldiers. There were 9,000 or more military operatives in the town from then on.
The soldier’s presence caught the eye of Victorian-era philanthropist Mrs Louisa Daniell, who set up her home for soldiers in the area. Her charity would tend to the spiritual needs of the soldiers. Later, three more churches would be built to further the cause she had begun. Later, another famous Victorian-era lady would come to the area. Mary Seacole, who set up a behind-the-lines hospital in the Crimean war, returned here with her partner to try and feed the same soldiers she had helped during the war. The venture had to close over lack of funding.
Military Tattoo
In 1894, the powers that were in charge in the garrison decided they would have an annual display of skill. The military tattoo was set up to include all types of armed forces. The air force, army, and navy all attended, as did special branches. In the early decades of the 20th century, the shows they put on attracted a reported 500,000 visitors out of London some years. As of 2010, budget cuts have seen the show cancelled. It is revived occasionally under different guises, but for the most part, it is over.
Aldershot became such a known military garrison that it is now a military town and markets itself as the home of the British Army. It contains married quarters barracks where soldiers can live with their children and spouses, it has army playing fields, sporting grounds, a cemetery and a library for the royal guests that used to stay here. The military town is run entirely by the army. One of the most famous performers here was Charlie Chaplin, and Winston Churchill was based here when he was in the army. There are several memorials to past war heroes kept here. It’s exactly what it says it is – where the army makes its home.
Basically, Aldershot didn’t have a Victorian Industrial Era so much as it had a military occupation. It swelled overnight from a sleepy town to a place that was filled to brimming with soldiers and all the trades they brought with them. Since then, it has been an army town… which made it all the more interesting during the two World Wars.
The Modern Era
Around 20% of the British army was stationed in Aldershot by the outset of the First World War. When fighting broke out the town would have seemed deserted. Kitchener’s army was assembled here and marched off to save the world. When they came back, they would have been treated at the military hospital on site. This is the same hospital that the first-ever incidence of plastic surgery on British soil took place… that we know of, at least. Victorian medical theatres were weird.
Aldershot was the home to a training encampment, which saw 330 thousand troops pass through from Canada between the end of WW1 and the start of WW2. The Second World War caused understandable further damage to the local population and trades. Again, the troops returned when the war was over.
In 1945, the Canadian soldiers who didn’t get to go home at the end of the war rioted in the streets of Aldershot. The town centre was destroyed as they caused problems for two nights in a row. Oddly, the rioting kicked off on the 4th of July, when roughly 500 soldiers descended on the police station and smashed the town up on the way there. The following day they threw bricks at cars and shop windows until the Canadian Military Police were called in to quell the riot. Eye-witness accounts of the time report that over 650 windows were smashed but little was stolen. It’s just like Canadians to hold the politest riot ever…
Winston Churchill held a full (and angry) investigation into the riots and had 100 soldiers court-martialled. In 1946 the Canadian government – who was desperately embarrassed about the whole thing – gifted $41,541 to pay for the $10,000 damages that were done to the town centre. It all ended with the people of Aldershot granting the Freedom of the Borough to the Canadian Army Overseas.
Just to recap: The Canadian soldiers had a riot, broke loads of things but didn’t hurt anyone, got sent home for it – which was the cause of the riot, to begin with – then had their government pay 4 times the cost of the expenses in reparations. In the end, they all had tea and cake and had a jolly good laugh about it all, because of Canada.
We love you Canada.
Post War Aldershot
When the wars were over, life settled back to normal in Aldershot. Gradually, the number of soldiers declined, but the military town still continued. The barracks were rebuilt in the 60s, but the worst time came in the 70s when Aldershot became the target of an IRA bombing. 7 people were killed in a car bomb and a further 19 were injured. 5 of those killed were civilians. The IRA claimed responsibility as revenge for the Bloody Sunday attacks[iii].
Since then, Aldershot has managed to remain a relatively sleepy town again. The military town is a different matter, but it has been both a blessing and a curse to the nearby town proper. It brings in tourism just as it puts them in the line of fire sometimes. We can only hope that it remains peaceful from now on.
Aldershot Famous Faces
There have been several famous people to have lived in Aldershot over the years. Here are some of the Five Minutes Spare favourites for you to browse through:
- Holly Aird, the actress from Waking the Dead, was born here.
- Amelle Berrabah from Sugababes is from here.
- The footballer Alan Burton, as well as Graham Benstead, Alan Comfort, and Mark Foran.
- Actors Arthur English, David Haig, Arthur English, and Chris Chittell.
- Screenwriter Maureen Chadwick, Kathryn Cave the children’s author, and a bundle of other famous writers.
Wow. If you live in Aldershot, you never know who you are going to meet down the pub.
Aldershot Attractions
The time has come for us to review the best attractions in Aldershot. What do you do if you have to spend time there? Does it make a good holiday destination? Let’s have a look…
Historic Sights and Landmarks
We mentioned this above, but you should go get your picture taken under the 30ft high statue of the Duke of Wellington that used to be in London. It really is one of the best landmarks in town. You post a picture of it and everyone in Britain will know where you are.
Head to the Westend Centre. Although not technically a landmark, the section below regarding galleries and museums is filled with military mentions. This sweet little gallery lets you pick up some local art, enjoy the finer things in life and, most importantly of all, it gets you away from the army for five minutes… and we are all about saving you five minutes.
Museums and Galleries
Aldershot Military Museum is one of the best museums for miles around. If you like to learn about the military, if you love to look at tanks, or if you just want to see the military vehicles through the ages, then this is the place for you. Head on into the military town to enjoy this partially open-air museum. Browse through the history of the place or read the records of honour. It’s a good place to trace the journey of soldiers past if your family members died during the war.
Image: Piranhi/Shutterstock.com
Second to this is the Museum of Military Medicine. It’s exactly as described and absolutely not for everyone. If you are blood phobic stay away. Other than that, it’s a fascinating foray into the original intentions behind superglue… gross.
Just in case you needed more military enjoyment, Aldershot has a million other military museums you can enjoy. Next on the list is the Royal Army Physical Training Corps Museum. Surely, after all that war, you would be bored? Hop on over to the All-Saints Garrison Church while you are in the military town if you are interested. This has been the soldier’s parish since back in the early 20th century.
Outdoor Attractions
If you are looking for a nice place to take the younger kids to feed some ducks, Manor Park is the best place around. It has a lovely play area attached that the little ones can enjoy. Besides that, you can sunbathe in the green spaces, enjoy the picnic areas, or play some ball games. They have tennis courts, a basketball court, and a skate park complete with long quarter pipe.
Sports and Recreation
We love our football here at Five Minutes Spare (well some of us do) and there is no better place to start this section than with a quick mention of the town’s team Aldershot Town FC. They are nicknamed ‘the shots’, which probably none of them knows is the name of a small prison town in Scotland. Anyway, the current club has only been around since 1992-3 as their predecessor Aldershot F.C went out of business the season before. Never the less there has been a team in the town since 1926 and the club can boast some success in either guise.
They currently play in the National League (tier 5) and if you fancy a game they play their home games at the Recreation Ground. There is a 7000 capacity so getting a ticket shouldn’t be a problem outside of big FA Cup Games. You can check out our team guide here.
Recreational Sports
Alpine Snowsports in Aldershot are one of the best attractions for local youth. Everyone loves to tear down a dry ski slope in various vehicles… ride a tyre, use your snowboard, or get on your skis for this great outing. It’s massive fun and also keeps you fit… far better than planking the teenager in front of the Xbox for a week’s holiday.
If snowboarding or tyre riding isn’t your thing, head to the Aldershot Lido sports complex to get wet. They have flumes, they have rides, they have water fountains, and they have plenty of space for everyone. This is a raucous good time that all kids, teens, and adults enjoy. If you have a water baby child, you can just leave them here for the week. They’ll have plenty of fun.
Of course, Aldershot is an English town and as such, it is subject to as many golf clubs as they can fit in. In this case, that means the Arm Golf Club, the Farnham golf Club, and the Farnham Park Golf club, all of which are within a ten-mile radius of the town.
Shopping and Retail
The locals like Westgate Retail and shopping park since it is home to all the big named brands. There’s also the fifty-retailer strong Wellington Centre which has a better class of store.
Other Notable Attractions
We couldn’t possibly fit everything to do in Aldershot into one place – to the extent that we added this separate section for the things we were forced to leave out…
- A trip to the Princes Hall theatre is never a bad idea. Catch a show, professional or amateur.
- The religiously inclined could do a tour of the churches, instead. The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. George is a must.
- Enjoy Westgate Leisure Park while you are in town.
- There is a Cineworld in town, although it remains to be seen whether it is set to open back up again.
There’s something for everyone in Aldershot, but especially for those that enjoy the military sights.
How to get to Aldershot?
Image: Ben Molyneux/Shutterstock.com
We have covered just about all there is to know about Aldershot, except for how you get there. Here are some loose directions for you to try and follow.
By Road
Follow the M3 southwest out of London and you will see signs for Aldershot.
By Rail
You are looking for Aldershot railway station.
By Air
Your nearest airport is London Heathrow.
By Boat
Alas, you are in the middle of the country so a sea voyage is out. However, you could get close by boat via the River Blackwater if you are ingenious enough.
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[i] https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/hants/vol4/pp2-5
[ii] https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/hampshire-news/10-reasons-aldershot-amazing-place-16388618
[iii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldershot
