Visit Farnham Places

Welcome to Visit Farnham Places
The Walkfo guide to things to do & explore in Farnham

  

Farnham Places Overview: History, Culture & Facts about Farnham

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Farnham history

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Prehistory

Farnham’s history has been claimed to extend back tens of thousands of years to hunters of the Paleolithic or early Stone Age . The first known settlement in the area was in the Mesolithic period, some 7,000 years ago . There was a Neolithic long barrow at nearby Badshot Lea, now destroyed by quarrying .

Roman Britain

During the Roman period the district became a pottery centre due to the plentiful supply of gault clay, oak woodlands for fuel, and good communications via the Harrow Way and the nearby Roman road from Silchester to Chichester . The main centre of pottery had been Alice Holt Forest, on the edge of the town, since AD 50, just 7 years after the arrival of the Romans . The Alice Holt potteries continued in use, making mainly domestic wares, until about AD 400 .

The Anglo-Saxon period

Surrey passed into the hands of King Caedwalla of Wessex in the 7th century . He also conquered Kent and Sussex, and founded a monastery at Farnham in 686 .

After the Norman invasion

Farnham appears in Domesday Book of 1086 as Ferneham, one of the five great “minster” churches in Surrey . Its assets were: 40 hides; 1 church, 6 mills, 43 ploughs, 35 acres (140,000 m) of meadow, woodland worth 175½ hogs .

The Civil War

The castle was considered a potential rallying point for the Royalists in 1642 . The garrison commander at Farnham decided to evacuate the castle . The new High Sheriff of Surrey occupied the vacant castle with 100 armed supporters . Parliament despatched Colonel Sir William Waller to take the castle and retake it .

Post-restoration

The author Daniel Defoe wrote that Farnham had the greatest corn-market after London . During the 17th century, other new industries evolved: greenware pottery, wool and cloth, the processing of wheat into flour, and eventually hops, a key ingredient of beer .

Farnham culture & places

Farnham School of Art opened in 1866 and was associated with the Arts and crafts movement. The New Ashgate Gallery in Lower Church Lane has exhibitions by established and new artists. The gallery at Farnham Maltings also has frequent exhibitions.

Entertainment

Farnham Maltings has diverse concerts including opera, folk and acoustic music gigs . The Maltings holds the Farnham Beer Exhibition, an annual event that started in 1977 .

The arts

William Herbert Allen was Master of Farnham Art School from 1889 to 1927 . Many of his works depict landscapes of the Farnham area . Pauline Baynes spent much of her childhood in Farnham and trained at the School of Art . Popular fantasy artist Josephine Wall was born and educated in the town .

Farnham geography / climate

Farnham’s history and present status are mainly the result of its geography. A combination of river, streams, fresh water springs and varied soils, together with a temperate climate, was attractive in prehistoric times. The geology of the area continues to influence the town, both in terms of communications and scenic and botanic variety.

Climate

Farnham has a temperate maritime climate, free from extreme temperatures, with moderate rainfall and often breezy conditions . The nearest official weather station is Alice Holt Lodge, just under 3.5 miles south-west of the town centre .

You can visit Farnham places with Walkfo Farnham to hear history at Farnham’s places whilst walking around using the free digital tour app. Walkfo Farnham has 47 places to visit in our interactive Farnham map, with amazing history, culture & travel facts you can explore the same way you would at a museum or art gallery with information audio headset. With Walkfo, you can travel by foot, bike or bus throughout Farnham, being in the moment, without digital distraction or limits to a specific walking route. Our historic audio walks, National Trust interactive audio experiences, digital tour guides for English Heritage locations are available at Farnham places, with a AI tour guide to help you get the best from a visit to Farnham & the surrounding areas.

“Curated content for millions of locations across the UK, with 47 audio facts unique to Farnham places in an interactive Farnham map you can explore.”

Walkfo: Visit Farnham Places Map
47 tourist, history, culture & geography spots

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Farnham historic spots	Farnham tourist destinations	Farnham plaques	Farnham geographic features
Walkfo Farnham tourism map key: places to see & visit like National Trust sites, Blue Plaques, English Heritage locations & top tourist destinations in Farnham

  

Best Farnham places to visit

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Farnham has places to explore by foot, bike or bus. Below are a selection of the varied Farnham’s destinations you can visit with additional content available at the Walkfo Farnham’s information audio spots:

Crafts Study Centre Crafts Study Centre is a university museum of modern crafts . Located next to the entrance of the University for the Creative Arts at Farnham, Surrey .

Farnham Castle Farnham Castle is a 12th-century castle in Farnham, Surrey, England . It was formerly the residence of the Bishops of Winchester .

Green Lane Cemetery, Farnham Green Lane Cemetery is a small cemetery on Green Lane in Farnham in Surrey . It is one of four cemeteries owned and maintained by Farnham Town Council .

Upper Hale Cemetery, Farnham Upper Hale Cemetery (also known as Hale Cemetery) is the burial ground for the district of Hale in Farnham in Surrey . Hale Cemetery is a burial ground in the area .

Moor Park, Farnham Moor Park, Farnham, Surrey, is a listed building and 60 acres (0.24 km) of riverside grounds . The grounds formerly extended to Mother Ludlam’s Cave, a cave entrenched in local folklore .

Brickfields Country Park Brickfields Country Park is one of the smallest country parks in Britain . The park is owned and maintained by Rushmoor Borough Council in Aldershot, Hampshire .

Visit Farnham plaques