Farnham
Farnham
Ranked as one of Surreys prettiest towns, Farnham has a distinct Georgian air and well to do affluence about it. The attractive brick built shopping streets are lined with interesting houses.
Castle Street in particular has many medieval houses that have Georgian facades behind which can be found Tudor and earlier buildings. The town grew immensely wealthy as a consequence of its 18th corn market which was the largest in England.
The castle itself was founded in 1138 by the grandson of William the conqueror Henty de Blois, this commanded the road from London to Winchester and became the palace of the Bishops of Winchester today you can still see the remains of the walls the keep and a Tudor tower.
The town was established as early as the Bronze Age and even earlier when merchants passed through traveling southern England. Farnham became a crossing point of ancient trails, Saxon and Roman remains have been found nearby later it grew as a centre for agriculture in medieval times.
Notable visitors to the town include King Charles I who stayed at Vernon house now the town library on route to London and his eventual execution. Elizabeth I and Mary Tudor are both known to have stayed at the castle. Jonathan swift stayed at nearby Moor Park while writing the tale of a tub.
The town’s small but interesting museum is located in Wilmer house a fine Georgian mansion which was built by John Thorne a wealthy hop merchant. There is a section dedicated to William Cobbett who was the author of Rural rides and also responsible for setting up Hansard the record of parliament.
Nearby the river affords some lovely walks in peaceful surround’s and is a great place to unwind from the city as London is only and hour away.
Activities in Farnham
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