51º15N 0º47W, pop (2001e) 51 000. Town in Rushmoor district, Hampshire, S England, UK; 13 km/8 mi W of Guildford; large military camp; birthplace of Claude Auchinleck, Terry Hands, Maud MacBride, Ian McEwan; railway; bricks, engineering, electrical goods.
Aldershot is a town in the English county of Hampshire, located on heathland approximately 55 km (35 miles) southwest of London.
Aldershot is known for its connection with the British Army which established a permanent camp in the area for instruction in military manoeuvres in 1854.
The nearby villages of Ash and Ash Vale are in the county of Surrey, though their postal addresses are "Ash, Aldershot, Hampshire" and "Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hampshire", respectively.
Geography
Aldershot is located at 51°15′00″N, 00°47′00″W (51.2500, -0.7833)1. Aldershot was included as part of the old Hundred of Crondall referred to in the Domesday Book of 1086. The map of Hampshire in the 1722 edition of William Camden's Britannia or Geographical Description of Britain and Ireland shows a symbol for habitation in Aldershot in the Crundhal (Crondall) hundred.
In 1854, at the time of the Crimean War, the heath land around Aldershot was established as an army base with Aldershot at its centre. This led to a rapid expansion of Aldershot's population going from 875 in 1851, to an excess of 16,000 by 1861 (including about 9,000 from the military).
Queen Victoria was a regular visitor to Aldershot and a Royal pavilion was erected for her use. The Aldershot Military Tattoo has since established itself as an international event.
In 1974 Aldershot Borough and Farnborough Urban District were merged to form the Borough of Rushmoor under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972. It is claimed that Aldershot's town centre has declined in the latter half of the 20th century.
1972 Aldershot Bombing
On 22 February 1972 Aldershot experienced one of the worst mainland IRA attacks. Seven people, all civilian support staff, including cooks, cleaners, and a Catholic priest, were killed in a car bomb attack on the 16th Parachute Brigade headquarters mess at Aldershot.
Landmarks
Aldershot observatory
The observatory is a circular red-brick building with a domed roof and it stands on Queens Avenue. It reads: ‘Presented to the Aldershot Army Corps by Patrick Y Alexander Esq 1906’.
Wellington Statue
A statue of the first Duke of Wellington mounted on his horse, Copenhagen, is situated on Round Hill behind the Royal Garrison Church.
In 1885, The Prince of Wales handed over the monument to Lieutenant General Anderson, the commander of the Aldershot garrison.
Transport and communications
The railway station and bus station are both situated off Station Road. The former offering services to London Waterloo (2tph), Alton (2tph), Guildford (2tph) and Ascot (2tph)
Shopping in Aldershot
Aldershot was the principal retail centre in the Blackwater Valley, however, other centres have grown to compete for customers. Local traders have claimed that this mall and its associated development are threatening the remaining independent shops operating in Aldershot.
Education
Oak Farm Community School The Connaught School, Tongham Road St. Josephs RC SchoolLeisure and recreation
The main theatre in Aldershot is the Princes Hall and is located on Princes Way.
The West End Centre is Aldershot's arts centre which is located on Queens Road.
Aldershot also plays host to many sports facilities such as Aldershot Tennis Centre, Aldershot Bowling, Aldershot Pools and Lido, Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre and Alpine Snow Sports (Dry Ski Centre).
Lido
Opened in 1930, Aldershot Lido is an outdoor leisure pool that contains one and a half million gallons of water situated on a 10 acre site.
The pool has extensive areas of shallow water for children to play including a large fountain at the centre.
Sport
The local professional football team is Aldershot Town F.C.. Before 1992 the local club was Aldershot F.C., which folded on 25th March 1992. Aldershot Cricket Club is also based in the Town.
Media
The local press are the "Aldershot Mail", the "Aldershot News", the "Aldershot Courier", and the "Surrey-Hants Star".
Politics
Aldershot is divided into the following wards:
Rowhill - southwest of the town Wellington - west, north and centre of the town Manor Park - south of the town Heron Wood - southeast of the town North Town - northeast of the town.The town is represented in parliament through the Aldershot constituency. Of the 41 councillors on Rushmoor Borough Council, 15 represent the 5 wards that comprise Aldershot.
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