Farnham

About

A unique Georgian town offering a perfect balance of old meets new. The historic market town of Farnham sits on the Surrey/Hampshire border, in the heart of the Surrey Hills, and is a bustling town with an intriguing history.

Farnham has a magnificent history, and is blessed with Stone Age, Roman and Saxon dwellings which can be found here. Many of the Georgian buildings conceal structures of Tudor or even earlier times. Not least, the town is crowned by a 12th Century castle overlooking the heart of Farnham, built in 1138 AD by Henry de Blois, grandson of William the Conqueror and has been occupied for nearly 900 years. Monarchs from King John to Queen Victoria have all visited, whilst Henry VIII was a regular guest during his boyhood. When Elizabeth I visited, she bought her Court along too and ran the country from Farnham for six months!

Farnham is proud to be home to many well known characters and faces from Jonathan Swift and the radical journalist William Cobbett, to John Henry Knight builder of Britain’s first petrol-powered motor vehicle. Many people also won’t know that the story of ‘Peter Pan’ was written whilst J. M. Barrie occupied Black Lake Cottage on the Tilford Road.

In the sixteenth century, potteries in Farnham were major suppliers of pottery to London.  Today that link remains and visitors can enjoy a visit to Farnham Pottery where you can have a go, explore the exhibitons and purchase locally made crafts.  In 2013 Farnham was designated as England's World Craft Town recornising the number of craft makers in and around the town, as well as organisations, creative micro-businesses and independent creative industries.

Things to do in Farnham

Leisure and entertainment in Farnham is plenty.  Visitors won’t be short of entertainment with the Farnham Maltings hosting a range of exhibitions and fairs and the 410-seat Great Hall hosting regular live comedy, music and films for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.

During the summer months, local musical groups fill Gostrey Meadow with music every Sunday,  whilst Central Car Park plays host to the wonderful Farmers’ Market on the fourth Sunday of every month. In nearby Churt you'll find the eclectic Sculpture Park with constantly changing exhibitions set in ten acres of arboretum and wildlife inhabited water gardens.

Don't miss our top things to do in Farnham, all accessible within a short walk or drive.

• The Rural Life Centre
• Manor Farm Craft Centre
• Farnham Museum
• Brickfields Country Park
• New Ashgate Gallery
• Alice Holt Forest

The cobbled streets of Farnham boasts over 200 shops and businesses, including beautiful boutiques to renowned national chains, banks, supermarkets, hair and beauty salons, market squares and delicatessens. Visitors can also enjoy international cuisine, family run delis and an array of drinking establishments, from traditional English pubs to sophisticated wine bars.

Farnham is surrounded by the beautiful Surrey countryside and is home to some outstanding parks and forestry such as Gostrey Meadow, Farnham Park, Frensham Ponds, Bourne Woods and the outstanding Victoria Gardens that won Best Community Garden in the South & South East In Bloom awards. Perfect places to enjoy a leisurely walk, breathtaking cycle route or family picnic, attracting all sorts of wildlife and not to mention the A List celebrities who shoot films such as Harry Potter, Gladiator and Robin Hood within the magical Bourne Woods.

Looking to stay a little longer - the Bush Hotel is located in the heart of Farnham and has been welcoming guests since 1618 or head out of town o the Hogs Back Hotel and Spa, set high on the Hog’s Back Ridge overlooking the beautiful Surrey countryside.

Surrounding Towns and Villages in Surrey 

Godalming (11 miles)

Haslemere (12 miles)

Cranleigh (18 miles)