Farnham - town in Surrey, United Kingdom

Farnham is an ancient medieval town in Surrey, full of interesting historical sites and beautiful Georgian buildings.

Understand

With evidence to suggest that Farnham has been a settlement for tens of thousands of years, the town is rich in history. Taking in the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age, the Romans and Saxons also settled in Farnham. The town boasts an intact Norman castle and keep, built for the Bishop of Winchester as a half-way point between his home in Winchester and London. Part of the castle and its keep are now open to the public. Farnham and its castle played a major part in the English Civil War, with visits from King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell. Following this period, the town became known for its market, which the author Daniel Defoe described as the greatest after London. Industries in the town have included the production of pottery, wool, crops, flour, and beer.

Farnham borders on the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the North Downs Way long-distance path starts here. Alice Holt Forest is nearby, as are Frensham Ponds and many heaths and downland scenery.

Farnham School of Art, associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement, was opened in 1866, and is now part of the University for the Creative Arts.

Get in

By bus

Buses run from Farnham to surrounding towns and villages usually every hour. Contact Traveline for bus information on 0871 2002233 or visit the Traveline website.

By plane

Farnham is well served by London airports. For travellers coming directly to Farnham, the most convenient are:

• Heathrow Airport (IATA: LHR), about 35 minutes drive along the M25 motorway then the M3 motorway. Alternatively, the airport is linked directly to Woking rail station by the RailAir express bus service.
• Gatwick Airport (IATA: LGW) is about an hour and 15 minutes drive via the M23 (northbound), M25 (clockwise) and M3 (southbound) roads.

Southampton and Bournemouth airports are also nearby and easily accessible.

By train

Farnham station 📍 is served by commuter and regional train services from many different directions. There are regular services to and from London Waterloo which take approximately one hour. The trains from Waterloo to Farnham are timetabled to Alton (two stops beyond Farnham), and normally leave Waterloo from platforms 8-12 (but do vary).

Train times can be found on the National Rail website or by calling +44 845 7484950.

By coach

Coach services are available from Heathrow to Farnham, via London Victoria. For more information visit the National Express website.

Get around

Farnham is very easy to navigate on foot and most places are easily walkable. The train station is about 10 minutes walk from the town centre.

By taxi

There are taxi ranks at the railway station and at the bottom of Castle Street. For a list of taxi companies, visit the town council website.

• VGT Taxis Farnham (Home James), The Chantrys, Farnham, GU9 7AQ, 51.214142°, -0.795700°, +44 01252 737475, bookings@vgtravel.co.uk. 0600 - 0000. Taxi Service 2020-06-29

See

• Farnham Castle, Castle Street, 51.219°, -0.803°, +44 1252 721194. A Norman castle that was lived in for almost 900 years with buildings reflecting the changing architectural styles through the centuries.
• Farnham Museum, 38 West Street, 51.213254°, -0.804658°, +44 1252 715094. Visit the museum and understand the extensive history of the town, from prehistory to today. Features exhibitions of art, crafts and writing produced in the town. Check the website for information about temporary exhibitions and children's activities. Free
• Gostrey Meadow. Gostrey Meadow is a public park, through which the river Wey flows. There is a children's play area and a large grassy area ideal for a summer picnic. Gostrey Meadow was created in 1910 as a recreational area for the residents of Farnham. The name comes from the 17th century meadows, now part of the Bush Hotel estate, which were known as Gostreeds.
• Lion and Lamb Yard, Lion and Lamb House, 131 West Street, 51.2142°, -0.8008°. a shopping village in the town centre, named after a former coaching inn.
• New Ashgate Gallery, Wagon Yard (off Downing Street), +44 1252 713208. The New Ashgate Gallery is a non-profit organisation, promoting and selling contemporary fine art and craft. The gallery holds regular exhibitions.
• St Andrew's Church, Church Lane, 51.2132°, -0.8007°, +44 1252 715412. St Andrew's is the parish church of Farnham. There was a church on the same site as the present St Andrew's some five hundred years before the present building was built in the 11th century.
• Waverley Abbey, Tilford Road, 51.199722°, -0.759131°, +44 870 3331181. The nearby Abbey in Waverley is about 10 minutes drive from Farnham town centre. The first Cisterian monastery in this country, the Abbey was built in the 13th century. Free
• Birdworld, Holt Pound, GU10 4LD, 51.1828°, -0.8407°, +44 1420 22140. Has over 150 species of bird, of which 11 are endangered. Includes a children's petting zoo and an aquarium. 2017-04-09

Do

• The Barn, +44 1252 266196. 3b The Borough (down an alleyway - follow the signs). The Barn is popular locally for its creative events, which include the Knitter Natter knitting club, life drawing classes, and games nights. This little cafe of mainly vegetarian food, in the centre of town, also holds live music nights featuring local bands and DJs. Check the website for a full list of future events.
• Country Market, United Reform Church (opposite Sainsbury's supermarket), South Street, +44 1246 261508. Held every Friday from 9:30AM-11AM. Established in 1950, this market offers quality handmade crafts, plants, fresh flowers and vegetables when in season, eggs and honey and a selection of traditional home cooking and preserves.
• Farnham Beer Exhibition, The Maltings, Bridge Square, +44 1252 718001. Annual charity beer exhibition (the longest running in the country) with 35-40 breweries exhibiting real ale, bitter, cider and perry.
• Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square, +44 1252 718001. Farnham Maltings is a lively community arts centre housed in Farnham’s historic Maltings buildings on the river Wey. The centre offers a vast array of activities for both adults and children, including touring theatre productions, film screenings and craft events. Check the website for a full list of future events.
• Farmers Market, Central Car Park (off Victoria Road). A local farmer's market selling traditional food, flowers and other produce is held on the fourth Sunday of each month. Many of the stallholders offer free samples before you buy.
• Maker's Market, The Maltings, Bridge Square, +44 1252 718001. This market is one of the oldest and largest in the area, with around 200 stalls selling vintage and handmade items, as well as food. The market is held on the first Saturday of every month, from 9:30AM-4PM.
• Squires Kitchen Cookery School, Broomleaf Road, +44 1252 260262. Offers short baking courses from beginner to advanced. Check the website for a full list of future courses.

Buy

• Colours, +44 1252 733476. Lion and Lamb Yard. A bright, fun shop established in 1986 packed to the brim with eccentric, colourful items.

Elphicks, 10-12 West Street, GU9 7DN, 51.21416°, -0.80108°, +44 1252 716222. Classically styled department store, unique to Farnham.

• Pullingers Art Shop, 109 West Street, +44 1252 715390. Thought to be the oldest surviving business in Farnham.
• Squires Kitchen Shop, Broomleaf Road (opposite the railway station), +44 1252 260262. Sells all kinds of cooking and baking equipment, connected to the cookery school.

Eat

• Caffe Piccolo, 84 West Street, +44 1252 723277. Small local restaurant serving traditional Italian meals, with a focus on seafood.
• Caffè Uno, 7 Castle Street, +44 1252 721193. Contemporary Italian food and drink in this small bar and restaurant. Open for light lunches and coffee during the day.
• The Darjeeling, 23-25 South Street, +44 1252 714322. Luxurious authentic Indian restaurant close to the train station. Also does takeaway food.
• The Gorge, 10 The Woolmead, +44 1252 726483. The Gorge is a small local "greasy spoon"-type cafe which does very affordable all-day breakfasts. The cafe is popular with students due to its bizarre cave-like walls.
• Loch Fyne, 3 Downing Street, +44 1252 748030. Scottish seafood restaurant with bar and fishmonger.
• Maison Blanc, 4 The Borough, +44 1252 821606. French-style patisserie and chocolaterie with coffee and cakes to take away, and a cafe with Wi-Fi.
• The Mulberry, Station Hill, +44 1252 726673. Serving gourmet burgers.

Oceans 11, 131 Upper Hale Rd, GU9 0JG, 51.23466°, -0.80207°, +44 1252 714 304. noon-10PM. Fish and Chips Cod & Chips £8 2021-10-14

• Pizza Express, 74 Castle Street, +44 1252 733220. Contemporary Italian food and drink in a converted Georgian school. Plenty of seating in the conservatory at the rear of the restaurant, where you can watch the chefs make your pizza. Also does takeaway food.
• Thai Lotusland, East Street, +44 1252 716584. It offers traditional authentic Thai food in pleasant surroundings.
• Zizzi, 68 Castle Street, +44 1252 719231. Contemporary Italian food and drink in a beautiful old building.

Drink

• The Barn, 3b The Borough (down an alleyway - follow the signs), +44 1252 266196. Low-cost drinks and snacks in a creative arts club, popular with students and arty types.

• The Botanist Farnham, 4-5, Town Hall Buildings, The Borough, GU9 7ND. 2021-11-26

• The Coach and Horses, 2 Castle Street, +44 1252 724520. Classically styled comfortable establishment serving fine ales in the heart of Farnham.

The Hop Blossom, Long Garden Walk, GU9 7HX, 51.21526°, -0.80163°, +44 1252 710770, Martin.groves1@btconnect.com. 12-22. Cosy in winter, lovely beer garden for summer. 2020-09-23

The Lost Boy, 3 Downing St, GU9 7NX, 51.21296°, -0.79844°, +44 1252 947 252. 9AM-11PM. A Georgian Pub with wood paneling. 2021-11-26

The Nelson Arms, 50-52 Castle Street, GU9 7JQ, 51.21670°, -0.80035°, +44 1252 712554. 17th-century pub that used to be part of the castle. It has a long and interesting history, and serves traditional British food and drink with generous portions.

The Plough, 74 West Street, GU9 7EH, 51.21405°, -0.80292°, +44 1252 728057. 12-23. Traditional pub food and drink in a pleasant atmosphere. Offers free Wi-Fi, live music, pool, quiz and supper nights.

The Queen's Head, 9 The Borough, GU9 7NA, 51.21473°, -0.80007°, +44 1252 726524, thequeensheadfarnham@gmail.com. 10-11:30. Pie nights on Mondays and steak nights on Wednesdays. 2020-09-23

Out of town

The Alfred Free House, 9 Bishops Rd, GU9 0JA, 51.23363°, -0.80370°, +44 1252 820 385. 2021-10-14

The Sandrock, Sandrock Hill Road, Wrecclesham, GU10 4NS, 51.19286°, -0.81434°, Info@sandrockwrecclesham.co.uk. M-Th 4-11PM, F-Su noon-11PM. A traditional pub with a beer garden and HD screens 2020-09-23

The Six Bells, 55 Hale Road, GU9 9QZ, 51.22254°, -0.78447°, +44 1252 591 020. Daily noon-10PM price=. Serving lunch, dinner and drinks, plus Sunday Roast. Over 40 gins, many of which are local. With a garden, heated garden pod and skittle alley. 2020-09-23

The Windmill, Church Ln, Ewshot, GU10 5BJ, 51.24326°, -0.83135°, +44 1252 850 439. noon-10PM(Su,M) -11PM(T,W,Th) -midnight(F,S). A community run pub 2021-11-26

Sleep

Mercure Bush Farnham, The Borough, GU9 7NN, 51.21519°, -0.79770°, +44 1252 715237. The Borough. This 17th-century coaching inn provides a 3-star retreat retaining much of its period grandeur, surrounded by its own grounds in the town centre. Double rooms from £72 per night.

Farnham House Hotel, Alton Road, GU10 5ER, 51.20422°, -0.83595°, +44 1252 716908. Traditional 3-star hotel around 10 min drive from the town centre. Single rooms from £54, double rooms from £74.

Hotel Daniele, Lower Hale, GU9 9RP, 51.22686°, -0.78597°, +44 1252 728608. An attractively styled 17th-century barn conversion, set in 40 acres of secluded parkland, with ample off road parking. Formerly known as Farnham Park Hotel. Single rooms from £45, twin or double rooms from £55.

Go next

• Guildford
• Godalming
• Woking
• London