Where officers and gentlemen are inspired
Camberley is a mere 31 miles south-west of central London in the far west of the county, close to the borders of Hampshire and Berkshire. Camberley town has its roots in The construction of the Royal Military College, which later became the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst (RMAS). Today it continues to pursue the highest standard’s of professional excellence in training future British Officers and many from overseas countries.
Much of the Camberley area is within the Metropolitan Green Belt. Camberley’s suburbs include Crawley Hill, Yorktown, Heatherside and the Old Dean district. The total population of the Surrey Heath district according to the 2011 census is 86,144. This is an increase of 7.3% since 2001.
After more than five years in planning stages, the seven-acre development The Atrium was built in 2008. Consisting of 217 mid-rise apartments split into residential courtyards, fourteen new retail units and leisure facilities including a nine-screen cinema, bowling alley, health and fitness club, cafés and restaurants all set in a pedestrianised and landscaped area.
The surrounding villages have an incredible history starting in the Neolithic period, moving through to a royal hunting ground at Bagshot Park in the 14th century and notorious highwaymen in the 17th and 18th centuries. The military arrived in 1853 and the National Rifle Association came to Bisley in 1890.
Property prices in the Camberley area (including Frimley, Frimley Green and Blackwater) are currently just over 47% above the national average. However, they are still around 35.5% below the London average. They increased by around 12% over the last year. That means Camberley property investment is perfect a commuter belt property.
Economy & Employment
Much of Camberley’s employment and prosperity lies in retail since the completion of The Atrium.
Camberley’s town centre hosts The Mall shopping centre added in the late 1980s. It houses around 100 stores and is anchored by stores such as House of Fraser. Camberley’s high street has a number of shops as well as bars, restaurants and clubs, many of the latter being more recent additions. There are a number of secondary shopping streets including Park Street, Princess Way parts of London Road, which leads to The Atrium.
Major employers include Siemens, which moved its UK headquarters to the area in 2007, Burlington Group who moved into Watchmoor Park in 2009 and Sun Microsystems (now Oracle. Krispy Kreme UK is based in Albany Park, an industrial estate to the south of the town centre.
Investment
Camberley’s 2020 strategy focuses on town centre improvements.
As Surrey Heath’s main town, Camberley plays a critical role in the economic well-being of the borough. Camberley’s 2020 strategy (published in 2010) pledged that the number one priority was the improvement to Camberley town centre whilst retaining the character of the town, including its military heritage and that it is a safe place, clean and very green.
The opening of The Atrium and the redevelopment of Park Street have vastly improved the town to make it an attractive place to live, work, shop and play. The plans outlined in the strategy are guiding Camberley to a new level, making it the major retail and leisure destination for the surrounding areas and supporting the long term economic prosperity of the town.
Transport
Air: Both Heathrow and Gatwick airports are close, being around 30 and 50 minutes away respectively via the motorway network. Farnborough Airport is even closer and focuses on air travel for business and executive travellers.
Rail: Camberley railway station is situated south of the town centre on the Ascot to Guildford line. It is connected to Guildford, Aldershot and Ascot by South West Trains with two trains per hour in either direction. Waterloo to Reading Line direct services to and from London Waterloo run at peak times via Ascot and Richmond.
Bus: Several bus companies operate routes through Camberley. The various routes serve Bracknell, Guildford via Woking, Aldershot, Basingstoke, Farnborough, Staines and Woking.
Road: The A30 leaves Camberley to the north for Bagshot. The M3 also runs alongside, joining up with the M25 London orbital road heading north or Basingstoke, Winchester and Southampton to the south-west.
Education
Schools: There are 21 infant primary schools,3 secondary schools & colleges, 3 special schools and 1 independent school in the vicinity.
Collingwood College is famous for being one of the largest schools in Surrey with over 2,000 pupils. Other schools include Lyndhurst School founded in 1895 and one of only a few day preparatory schools with an unbroken history of over one hundred years.
Further Education: Tomlinscote School and Sixth Form College and Kings International College provide FE in Camberley.
Shopping: The Atrium and The Mall Camberley, provide the main shopping in the area, with all the usual retailer's stores in the centres, plus restaurants, bars and cafés.
Culture: The town has its own public library, Odeon cinema, theatre and a multi-screen Vue Cinema in The Atrium. The Royal Logistical Corps Museum at Deepcut Barracks and the Surrey Heath Museum in Camberley are free entry attractions. The Surrey Heath Archaeology Centre at Bagshot houses many exciting finds and there are regular talks by resident and visiting experts.
The Camberley Theatre offers a programme of high-quality music, dance, film, comedy and children’s shows including an annual pantomime. It is also a conference centre and community hub
Green Spaces: Frimley Lodge Park is a Green Flag park. It includes access to the canal, a miniature railway, pitch and putt, a community garden, BBQ hire, play areas and sports pitches.
Higher Education: There are three universities nearby that serve the Camberley area. The Royal Holloway, the University of London in nearby Egham, the University of Surrey (at Guildford) and the University of Reading.
Shops & Leisure
Shopping: The Atrium and The Mall Camberley, provide the main shopping in the area, with all the usual retailers stores in the centres, plus restaurants, bars and cafés.
Culture: The town has its own public library, Odeon cinema, theatre and a multi-screen Vue Cinema in The Atrium. The Royal Logistical Corps Museum at Deepcut Barracks and the Surrey Heath Museum in Camberley are free entry attractions. The Surrey Heath Archaeology Centre at Bagshot houses many exciting finds and there are regular talks by resident and visiting experts.
The Camberley Theatre offers a programme of high quality music, dance, film, comedy and children’s shows including an annual pantomime.It is also a conference centre and community hub
Green Spaces: Frimley Lodge Park is a Green Flag park. It includes access to the canal, a miniature railway, pitch and putt, a community garden, BBQ hire, play areas and sports pitches.