A Day Trip to Aldershot: A Walk Through Nature, Exploring Landmarks, and Savoring Nepalese Cuisine
We set off on a delightful family day trip to Aldershot, a historic town nestled in North Hampshire. Our adventure combined a peaceful countryside walk, visits to fascinating landmarks, and a mouthwatering lunch at a local Nepalese restaurant. If you’re looking for a blend of nature, culture, and good food, Aldershot is an excellent choice for a day out. 🥾🍛🌲
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Rowhill Reserve to Caesar’s camp walk
Our day started with a scenic walk at Rowhill Reserve, a serene green space located just on the outskirts of Aldershot. The reserve is a tranquil gem, perfect for those who love exploring woodland trails, meadows, and open heathland. We planned a circular walk that took us all the way up to Caesar’s Camp, an ancient Iron Age hill fort straddling the border between Hampshire and Surrey. The site itself is incredibly impressive, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. You can see vast views of hillsides, patches of lush woodlands, and streams weaving through the open heathland – a perfect spot for nature lovers. 🌲🥾🦮
We also ventured into the nearby Long Valley, another area that boasts spectacular vistas. If you’re interested in hiking, there are plenty of routes to follow online, and you can find varying levels of difficulty to suit any group. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes, as some parts of the trail can be a bit rugged, especially near the fort.
As you might know, a portion of this beautiful area is Ministry of Defence (MOD) land, which adds a unique aspect to the visit. MOD land is often open to the public, but visitors must be respectful of the military’s training activities and follow any guidelines that are in place to ensure everyone’s safety. Always be mindful of signage indicating where you can walk, and make sure to check ahead for any restrictions. 🪖
ℹ️ For more details on how to access MOD land safely, you can check out this helpful guide: Respect the Range.
📍 Rowhill Reserve Car Park: 120 Cranmore Ln, Aldershot GU11 3BD
ℹ️ For specific route information, feel free to explore our hike: Rowhill Reserve to Caesar’s Camp on AllTrails.
Wellington statue
After a refreshing walk, we decided to visit one of Aldershot’s most iconic landmarks – the Wellington Statue. Just a short drive from Rowhill Reserve, this towering bronze statue of the Duke of Wellington on horseback is quite a sight to behold! Originally, the statue graced the top of the Wellington Arch in Hyde Park, London, before being relocated to Aldershot in 1883. It’s a reminder of Aldershot’s rich military history, as the town has long been associated with the British Army. 🪖🎖️
Standing at 30 feet tall and weighing an astonishing 40 tons, this massive statue is hard to miss. If you’re into history or military landmarks, it’s well worth the visit. We spent some time admiring the craftsmanship and learning a bit more about its fascinating past. It’s a perfect spot for a quick photo-op. 🐎
📍 Wellington Statue: Claycart Rd, Aldershot GU11 1QB
Nepalese lunch at Gurkha kitchen
One of the highlights of our trip was trying out Nepalese food for the first time at Gurkha Kitchen. For those who might not know, Aldershot has a strong connection to the Gurkhas, the famous Nepalese soldiers who have served in the British Army. As a result, the town is home to a vibrant Nepalese community, and you can find some of the best Nepalese restaurants in the country right here in Aldershot.
We chose Gurkha Kitchen for our lunch stop, and it did not disappoint! The menu was packed with a variety of traditional dishes, and we couldn’t wait to try as many as we could. Our meal included a little bit of everything – from vegetable chow mein to steamed momo (dumplings), both fried and steamed, and a hearty mutton curry thali. We washed it all down with two large glasses of refreshing lassi, and of course, we had to start with some crispy poppadoms. The flavors were incredible, and we left the restaurant feeling absolutely satisfied (and with a takeaway box, because the portions were generous!). 🍛🍜
The best part? The entire meal came to less than £40, which was fantastic value for money considering the quality and quantity of the food. If you’ve never had Nepalese food before, we highly recommend trying it during your visit – the flavors are rich, aromatic, and absolutely delicious!
📍 Gurkha Kitchen: 68 Grosvenor Rd, Aldershot GU11 3EA
All in all, our day trip to Aldershot was a great mix of outdoor adventure, military learning, and culinary discovery. Whether you’re into hiking, history, or just looking to try something new, Aldershot has something for everyone. We’ll definitely be back to explore more! 🌲🪖🐎🍛
👉 Looking for a stay in Aldershot? Here are some highly-rated accommodation options.
