Guided tours during the Rushmoor Heritage Festival

Aldershot Mixtape – a guided musical history trail

Saturday 13 September, Aldershot

Step into the soundscape of Aldershot with the launch of Aldershot Mixtape, a new audio trail celebrating the town's vibrant musical legacy. From indie anthems at the Buzz Club to echoes of Himalayan songs and early rave energy, this immersive experience blends music, field recordings, voices, and interviews to bring Aldershot’s history to life. Join trail creator, Simon Aeppli at 12pm or 3pm for a guided walk through the town centre.

At 5pm, meet the creative minds behind the project and explore a new exhibition at the West End Centre at the official launch event, where you can meet and chat to the producers, musicians and artists who have created the Aldershot Mixtape. Discover Aldershot as you’ve never heard it before!

Cost: Free
Times: Walks at noon and 3pm. Launch event from 5-7pm
Location: West End Centre, Aldershot
Tickets: Pre-booking is required through Eventbrite
Organiser: Simon Aeppli

Imperial echoes - guided tours of St Michael’s Abbey

Saturday 13 September, Farnborough
Saturday 20 September, Farnborough

Step into history at Farnborough’s majestic St Michael’s Abbey, where imperial legacy and architectural splendour intertwine. Founded by Empress Eugénie following the tragic exile and death of Emperor Napoleon III and their son Louis-Napoléon, the Abbey remains a hidden gem of national and international heritage. Join Brother Aelred, a resident Benedictine monk, for an exclusive guided tour.

Highlights:

• A walk through the exquisite Gothic-style church, rich in symbolism and craftsmanship
• A visit to the Imperial Crypt, the final resting place of France’s last Emperor and his family
• Fascinating stories of devotion, exile, and remembrance, spanning continents and centuries

The Abbey continues to serve as a living place of worship and monastic life, maintaining strong ties with France and offering a unique spiritual retreat in the heart of Hampshire. This is a rare chance to witness one of the UK’s most intriguing architectural and cultural landmarks.

Cost: £7 minimum donation
Location: Saint Michael’s Abbey, Farnborough
Further information: No pre-booking required. For times, costs, tickets and more information, visit the Saint Michael’s Abbey website
Organiser: Saint Michael’s Abbey

Pedals through the past -
a Farnborough aviation guided cycle tour

Sunday 14 September, Farnborough

Saddle up for a fascinating journey through Farnborough’s aviation heritage! Join experienced local guides on a leisurely cycling tour as you explore iconic sites that helped shape the skies. Along the way, you'll hear stories of pioneering individuals and the cutting-edge innovations that put Farnborough on the global aviation map. From historic hangars to experimental airfields, each stop offers a glimpse into the town’s rich flight legacy.

Finish off the ride with a complimentary soft drink at The Swan—a perfect way to toast your tour.
Bring your bike, your curiosity, and your love of local history.

Cost: £5 + booking fee
Time: Meet at 2pm. Tour ends at 4pm
Location: The tour starts at the Samuel Cody statue and ends at the Swan Pub in Farnborough
Tickets: Pre-booking is required through the Pedals Through the Past Ticketsource page
Organiser: Rushmoor Borough Council and Ride Rushmoor

The Airship Era: From Glory to Ground 

Sunday 14 September, Farnborough
Sunday 21 September, Farnborough

Join the National Aerospace Library team and explore the captivating history of airships with materials from the library and archive. Discover the innovation and ambition behind these floating giants as we explore their dramatic rise and fall.

From daring experiments of the early 20th century to the elegant floating palaces of the sky in the 1930s, airships once represented the cutting edge of aviation and the promise of a new age in travel. You will explore the golden age of lighter-than-air flight, focusing on iconic vessels from the Nulli Secundus to the Hindenburg. Drawing on original material from the library’s collections, you'll explore the ambition, innovation and the tragedy that defined the airship era and how the airship's downfall shaped the future of aviation.

Cost: Free
Time: Library open from 10am to 4pm, with talks at 10am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm
Location: The Hub, Farnborough
Further information: No pre-booking required. For more information, visit the Heritage Open Days website
Organiser: National Aerospace Library

Aldershot Town Football Club – The EBB Stadium Tour 

Tuesday 16 September, Aldershot

Step into the heart of Aldershot football with an exclusive tour of the EBB Stadium, home of Aldershot Town FC, proud competitors in the Enterprise National League. With nearly a century of football heritage, the stadium has evolved while retaining its iconic spirit - and now’s your chance to see it from the inside.

Highlights:

• Explore the club’s main building—including the home and away changing rooms, manager’s office, and matchday tunnel
• Visit all three lounges, including two hospitality suites and the historic Phoenix Lounge beneath the South Stand
• Step into the boardroom, home to the club’s trophy collection, featuring the FA Trophy won at Wembley in May 2025
• Walk through every stand, including the legendary and passionate East Bank
• Finish on the pitch and in the dugouts for a true matchday perspective

Walk the halls where legends have prepared for battle and to celebrate the enduring spirit of football in Aldershot.

Cost: Free
Location: EBB Stadium, The High Street, Aldershot, GU11 1TW
Further information: Pre-booking is required directly through the Football Club. For times, tickets and more information, visit the Club's Facebook event page. 
Organiser: Aldershot Town Football Club

Tices Meadow tour -
from farm, to quarry, to community nature reserve

Wednesday 17 September, Aldershot

Join a 2½ kilometre walking tour around the reserve, led by Mark Elsoffer and volunteers. The Tices Meadow team will share the history of the site from prehistoric settlement to farming, quarrying and restoration to an award-winning nature reserve. More than 1500 species of wildlife have been recorded at the reserve including 200 species of bird.

The walk will follow the biodiversity trail taking through woodland, meadow, reed bed and river habitats. The tour guide will help you spot the resident wildlife. Binoculars will be available but bring your own if you have them.

Cost: Free
Further information: Pre-booking is required through the Heritage Open Days website. For times, tickets and more information, visit the Heritage Open Days website. 
Organiser: The Farnham Society & Farnham Town Council

About these events

Many activities are free and some require advance booking. Many of these events are not organised by ourselves, so please check each individual organiser's website for more information.

To see the full list of events, please visit our main Rushmoor Heritage Festival page.