Farnborough's history dates back to the Anglo-Saxon times but the town is best known today for its contributions to the aviation industry. Every two years, the town plays host to the Farnborough air show, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. The town is a great destination for a weekend or short break, whether or not visitors are fans of aviation, as it has the quaint feel of a small town which is within easy reach of the centre of London, with rail access to London's Waterloo station in 40 minutes.
Aside from its famous air show, Farnborough also has a number of other attractions including its aerospace museum, housed in a building that was once the home of the Royal Balloon School. Historic attractions in the town include St. Michael's Abbey, still home to Benedictine monks and the tomb of Napoleon III and St. Peter's Church, featuring wall paintings dating back to the 14th century. Nearby, a number of other attractions can be found in the nearby Hampshire towns of Aldershot, Fleet and Odiham.
As well as being home to Farnborough Rugby Union Football Club, the town has a number of amateur sports clubs and leisure facilities, including golf courses and fitness clubs. The local leisure centre features a large swimming pool and facilities for a number of indoor sports including indoor bowling greens and courts for racquet sports.
The aviation industry has made an important contribution to Farnborough's economy for a number of years and continues to do so today. Other important industries in the town include the retail and technology industries.