Farnham

Waverley

Type:Town

Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7RN

Tel: +44 (0)1252 712667

Farnham Castle

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 recognising 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 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)

 

Book Tickets

TripAdvisor

Map & Directions

Road Directions

The town of Farnham is a few miles south of Guildford, and is very easy to find by road, being well signposted from both the A3, A31 and M3 motorway.

Public Transport Directions

National Express provides a service to Farnham.

Coaches travelling to Farnham can park at The Hart, near Lower Hart car park.

Buses run from Farnham to surrounding towns and villages. 

The railway station is located just south of the A31 on Station Hill. It is approximately a ten minute walk from the centre of town. There are regular services to London Waterloo and Alton, Hampshire.

Taxi ranks are situated at the railway station and at the bottom of Castle Street. Taxis are licensed by Waverley Borough Council.

What's Nearby

  1. New Ashgate Gallery

    The New Ashgate Gallery curates more than 25 annual exhibitions and workshops of…

    0.1 miles away
  2. Farnham Maltings

    Maltings offers a varied programme Including new and exciting theatre, comedy, workshops,…

    0.18 miles away
  3. Museum of Farnham

    An award-winning museum with displays interpreting the history of the Farnham area.…

    0.26 miles away
  1. Farnham Pottery

    Farnham Pottery lies just a short distance from the centre of Farnham, situated in the…

    1.62 miles away
  2. Brickfields Country Park

    Brickfields Country Park, possibly the smallest country park in the UK.

    2.26 miles away
  3. Rural Life Centre


    The Rural Life Centre is a museum of past village life covering the years from 1750 to…

    2.54 miles away
  4. West End Centre, Aldershot

    Aldershot's West End Centre is a friendly, intimate venue that hosts classes, workshops,…

    2.67 miles away
  5. Birdworld

    Get ready for an enchanting family-friendly adventure at Birdworld, where visitors of all…

    2.96 miles away
  6. Hogs Back Brewery Limited

    A working independent commercial brewery in a building dating from 1768, 24 real ales are…

    3.06 miles away
  7. Go Ape Alice Holt

    Just 4 miles south of Farnham, and close to Guildford, you can find us in Alice Holt…

    3.47 miles away
  8. Manor Farm Craft Centre

    There are craftspeople working on letter carving, card making, knitting, bead work and…

    3.6 miles away
  9. Alpine Snowsports Centre

    Welcome to the Alpine Snowsports Centre offering a number of different Snowsports and fun…

    3.7 miles away
  10. Alice Holt Forest

    Once famous for its oak trees which supplied timber for navy ships, Alice Holt is managed…

    3.73 miles away
  11. Frensham Pond

    The green flag award-winning Frensham Great Pond and Common are located between Farnham…

    4.04 miles away
  12. Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre

    Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre is a must-visit attraction in…

    4.21 miles away
  13. Aldershot Military Museum

    Housed in the only surviving brick-built barrack blocks left in Aldershot, Aldershot…

    4.37 miles away
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