Getting to Know Farnham, Farnham, England

Farnham, in the heart of the Surrey countryside, is a charming blend of historic buildings and natural landscapes. Less than an hour from London this little market town has plenty to offer for a great day out.

The location of Farnham, on the banks of the River Wey has made it an important crossroads for centuries. It boasts several layers of architectural styles and a heritage that embraces industries from brewing to pottery. Bishops and royalty have stayed in its castle. More recently Farnham has been designated a town of arts and crafts. Its tourist information is currently housed in the Town Hall, a good place to start exploring.

The town hall on South Street was built in 1903 to replace the old town hall and corn exchange on The Borough. Significant population growth in Farnham had resulted from it becoming an early commuter town and being created an urban district in 1895. New civic offices were deemed necessary resulting in the construction of the municipal building on South Street in 1903. This Neo-Georgian style building served as the headquarters of the Farnham Urban District Council until 1974 when Farnham became part of the Waverley Borough Council. It was also the base for the local fire brigade then operating with horse-drawn carriages which were accommodated in the original building. During the 1990’s the building was extended at the back. Farnham Town Council (formed in 1984) acquired the building in 2011 to use as its offices and a meeting place. The meeting rooms were refurbished in 2015 when a new suite of rooms were added. It is also the tourist information office and a good place to start exploring the town. Just off South Street on … and through a grand archway is the pretty Victoria Garden. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).