Car Hire Badshot Lea

Badshot Lea is a small village with just 1,500 residents on the edge of Surrey, close to Farnham and the Hampshire border. It’s surrounded by fields, quiet lanes and nature reserves, with plenty of walking trails and local green space. The A31 runs nearby, making it an easy drive from Guildford or Aldershot. Roads are mostly rural, so a compact hire car is useful—especially if you’re planning to stop at reserves or trailheads where parking is more informal than marked.

Spring and autumn are especially good times to visit—wildflowers and open skies in one, golden light and quieter paths in the other. Tucked within easy reach of Ash, the village works well as a base for exploring these gentler corners of Surrey.

Attractions In Badshot Lea

You’ll find Badshot Lea’s appeal lies in the slower moments—pond walks, old barns, trails where you might spot herons or stumble upon folklore.

Tice’s Meadow Nature Reserve

On the edge of Badshot Lea Road, Tice’s Meadow is one of those spaces that shifts with the seasons. Once a sand and gravel pit, it’s now a haven for wildlife. We wandered its well-kept footpaths and saw lapwings, swans and even a few twitchers with binoculars aimed at the sky. It’s peaceful here—just the rustle of grasses and distant traffic hum.

It’s open 24 hours and, while rustic, the walking is easygoing. Parking is roadside but usually straightforward.

Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum

While driving in from Frimley, we decided to stop at this museum in Trenchard House, Farnborough Road. It’s packed with stories of Britain’s airborne past—from radar innovation to Concorde tests. We spoke with volunteers who’d worked at the nearby airfield. Their stories added depth to the displays.

Entry is free, parking is plentiful and the upstairs café offers strong coffee and runway views. Open weekends, 10 am–4 pm.

Fleet Pond Nature Reserve

Off Wellington Avenue, Fleet Pond offers broad water views and reed-fringed trails. It’s the largest freshwater lake in Hampshire and just 15 minutes from Badshot Lea. We followed the circular route under plane trees, passed a picnic area and watched cormorants dry their wings on wooden stumps.

Free to visit and open 24 hours. There’s a small car park, though it fills up quickly on warm weekends.

Caesar’s Camp

Approaching from Camberley, this was an easy first stop. Caesar’s Camp sits high above Farnham and Aldershot. A short drive through winding lanes leads to the trailhead.

This Iron Age hill fort has a broad, circular path with sweeping views in every direction. We nearly missed the turnoff—signage is minimal—but that’s part of the experience. Expect uneven ground, heathland breezes and silence broken only by birdsong. Open 24 hours.

Farnham Park

Just north of the town centre, Farnham Park stretches across a long ridge. We parked near Folly Hill and walked the avenue of lime trees into open meadows.

There’s a cricket pitch, large children’s play area and a café tucked by the castle wall. They do good toasties and serve ice cream in the warmer months. It’s a favourite for dog walkers and families alike. Rarely overcrowded.

Aldershot Park

Situated along Guildford Road, Aldershot Park offers open lawns, a duck pond and space for football matches. We saw families with scooters, runners and people walking dogs past rows of willow trees.

There’s a car park near the main gate. It’s open 24 hours and easy to explore without a set plan. Great for a casual picnic or a loop around the pond.

Wanborough Great Barn

An ideal detour for drivers coming from Godalming, Wanborough Great Barn is one of England’s best-preserved medieval barns. We stepped inside and were met with rows of vast timber beams and centuries of silence.

Although only open for specific events or booked visits, the walk up the lane alone is worth it. It’s an impressive sight even from the outside.

Rowhill Nature Reserve

Rowhill’s entrance is easy to miss—just off Cranmore Lane—but the woodland trail opens quickly into dense, quiet forest. The canopy thickens in summer, offering dappled shade and birdsong from above. We followed the longer loop, which crosses wooden bridges and a stream. There are educational signs dotted throughout and a real sense of care in the upkeep—a lovely place to slow down.

Brickfields Country Park

Small but well looked after, Brickfields sits off Boxalls Lane. The central pond draws moorhens and dragonflies and the surrounding paths are gentle and short. We found a shaded bench and sat for a while with takeaway sandwiches. A simple, community-managed park—calm and tidy and ideal if you’ve only got half an hour.

Museum Of Farnham

Located along West Street, the Museum of Farnham is set in a Georgian townhouse with creaking floors and bright exhibition rooms. We wandered through collections ranging from Roman finds to 1950s toys, each with a clear sense of place and time.

Outside, a sensory garden adds a quiet finishing touch. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am–4 pm, with a pay-and-display car park just down the road.

Mother Ludlam’s Cave

During a visit to Hindhead, we found time to explore this small cave near Moor Park. It’s connected to an old Surrey folk tale—a white witch and her cauldron, said to be hidden here.

The trail winds gently through trees before revealing the small chalk opening. It’s always cool inside, a little damp and oddly still. Worth it for the atmosphere and the walk.

When You’re Done Wandering

This spot draws a lot of interest from people in Albury, especially those seeking quieter walks and nature-focused afternoons. Badshot Lea’s food and accommodation options are simple and local.

For coffee and a light bite, Caffé Macchiato in Farnham serves fresh pastries and Italian-style drinks. Aviator Café in Farnborough, near the airfield, is a favourite for families, with runway views and a relaxed setup. If you’re staying overnight, The Bush Hotel in Farnham is a solid choice—relaxed, central and with on-site parking. Nothing flashy, just comfortable spots to eat, rest and get back on the road.