Aldershot

Aldershot is not typically thought of as a hotel destination, but its position makes it a genuinely useful one. Sitting just off the A331 Blackwater Valley Route with quick links to the M3, and with a direct rail line into London Waterloo in a little over an hour, it works well as an affordable, practical base for visitors who want easy access to both London and the Surrey Hills without paying city prices. The town itself has a straightforward range of budget and mid-range chain hotels close to the station and town centre, useful for business travellers visiting the garrison or nearby Farnborough, as well as families passing through en route to the New Forest, the South Downs or the Hampshire coast.

Guesthouses and small hotels can also be found further out towards Farnborough, Ash and Farnham, often at a lower price point and with easier parking than the town centre options. Farnham in particular, a short drive or train ride away, has a handful of characterful boutique and coaching-inn style hotels if you would prefer a base with more historic charm while still keeping Aldershot's attractions and transport links within easy reach. Wherever you stay, the surrounding heathland, the Basingstoke Canal and the Surrey Hills are all close enough for day trips without a long drive.

Aldershot's biggest draw is its military heritage, but there is more to the town and its surroundings than parade grounds and museums.

• Aldershot Military Museum — housed in the last surviving brick-built barrack blocks in the town, this Hampshire Cultural Trust museum traces daily life for soldiers and civilians here since 1854, with recreated barracks, decommissioned military vehicles including a Chieftain tank, and a assault course built for younger visitors to try.
• Basingstoke Canal — this historic waterway runs along the edge of town and is popular for towpath walks, cycling and canoeing, with peaceful stretches of woodland and water that make a good contrast to the garrison streets nearby.
• Manor Park — a Victorian public park close to the town centre with terraced gardens, an ornamental lake and plenty of space for a stroll or a picnic.
• Aldershot Park and Naishes Copse — pockets of woodland and grassland that give quick access to green space without leaving the town.
• Farnham — a handsome Georgian market town just a few miles south, with an historic castle, independent shops and a much-loved Saturday market, easily reached by train or car.
• The Surrey Hills — the chalk downland and wooded ridges of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty begin a short drive from Aldershot, offering walking routes around Hindhead, the Devil's Punch Bowl and the Surrey countryside beyond.
• Farnborough International Airshow site and aviation heritage — neighbouring Farnborough was the birthplace of British powered flight in 1908, and its aviation connections remain strong, with the biennial Farnborough International Airshow drawing visitors from across the world.

The town centre has a solid mix of pubs and independent restaurants alongside the usual high street names. The George on Wellington Street is a popular spot for pub food and a decent pint, while The Wellington Inn is known locally as a proper real ale pub. Just outside town, The Swan is a Chef & Brewer pub right on the banks of the Basingstoke Canal at Ash Vale, with waterside views that make it a favourite for a post-walk meal. Aldershot's diverse community also means a good spread of international cuisine, including Nepalese, Indian, Caribbean and Turkish restaurants dotted around the town.

Aldershot itself is a built-up garrison town, so this is not a campsite destination in its own right, but it sits within easy reach of some appealing wild country for anyone touring Hampshire and Surrey with a tent, campervan or caravan. As with everywhere in England, wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal, so stick to licensed sites, farm campsites or the small number of areas, such as parts of Dartmoor, where informal camping is specifically allowed. Around Aldershot the terrain is a mix of sandy heathland, pine plantation and the gentle chalk downland of the Surrey Hills a little further south, giving a good variety of short walks and cycling routes for anyone based nearby.

The Basingstoke Canal towpath, which runs close to the town, is a popular route for cyclists and dog walkers staying at nearby sites, while the heaths around Ash Ranges and Bourley Reservoir offer open, sandy landscapes reminiscent of the Surrey and Hampshire commons further afield. Campsites in the area tend to be small, family-run touring and camping parks rather than large holiday parks, often set on farmland or in wooded pockets between Aldershot, Farnham and the Blackwater Valley, and they make a sensible, affordable base for exploring both the Surrey Hills and the edges of the South Downs.

Late spring through to early autumn is the best window for camping in this part of the country, when the heathland is at its most colourful with heather and gorse, and evenings are long enough for a walk along the canal after pitching up. Midges and biting insects can be an issue near the water in high summer, so many campers prefer the shoulder months of May, June and September. For those who prefer a roof over their heads without sacrificing the outdoor feel, a growing number of local sites offer glamping options such as bell tents, shepherd's huts and pods, giving easy access to the same countryside with rather more comfort than a standard tent pitch.