Things to see and do at Farnborough Hall

A sitting room at Farnborough Hall with blue walls and elegant furnishings surrounding an elaborate fireplace, including gold couches and side tables — Sitting room at Farnborough Hall | © National Trust Images/John Hammond

With its honey-stone walls and grand state rooms, Farnborough Hall is home to many treasures collected by Willliam Holbech II on his Grand Tour. Head inside to discover an Italian Villa turned family home, and explore the fine landscape garden beyond.

Visit the house

The showrooms at Farnborough have remained largely unchanged since the 1740s and the hall is still a family home, presenting fine furnishings and sculptures from the reign of William Holbech II.

After acquiring the property in 1684, Ambrose Holbech combined the house and gardens to present an intriguing 18th-century Italian villa.

Start your journey in the forecourt and admire this country house from a grand entrance. The opening of the property is administered by the Historic Family.

The Entrance Hall at Farnborough Hall with Roman busts set into the walls, a large fireplace and furnishings around the hall — The Entrance Hall at Farnborough Hall | © National Trust Images/Angelo Hornak

Intriguing interiors

Farnborough Hall is home to a collection containing exquisite sculptures, porcelain and artwork by Panini and Canaletto.

Admire the grand staircase leading up to the first floor, with its 18th-century skylight dome and beautiful wall decoration, all part of the grand design and the plasterwork which is some of the most spectacular in England.

Family life in the country

Early 18th-century design saw the transition from rigid symmetry and formality to informal styles in the garden and parkland.

Take a wonder round the gardens to enjoy the views, pause at the game larder looking out towards some of the original seventeenth centrury stewponds and take in the scents of the Rose Garden with views down to the cascade.

Steps leading to the parterre garden with box hedging and roses, and cubes of golden yew, known as Granny's Garden, at Farnborough Hal — The parterre garden at Farnborough Hall | © National Trust Images/David Sellman

Enjoy the terrace walk views

Experience the vision of William Holbech II and his grand landscape design, as you walk up the terrace and take in the views of the parkland beyond and over the Hanwell valley.

This is where William used to wave to his brother in the nearby village of Mollington, now blocked by coniferous woodland, planted after the war.

Along the mile walk to the obelisk, there are places to rest, in the temple and oval pavilion, returning by the ornamental woodland with dappled light and shade.

Explore the landscape garden

The garden features a curiously designed rose garden and the remains of a formal orangery, now a beautiful spot to sit and take in the views.

Just a short walk away is a hidden gem of a magical cascade and foundations of a much later summer house. Sit and look over the lake with the cascade running behind you and find out what makes this spot so special.

Outside of the formal grounds, take a walk across the road and stroll around the pools and woodland to take in the views back across the parkland to the bastions along the Terrace, a rare example of a ferme ornée.