Farnham
Farnham is a vibrant and lively old English market town with narrow streets lined with some of the finest Georgian architecture in the south of England. It is a happy blend of old and new with a parish church and castle dating back to the 12th century. The North Downs Way National Trail starts here and there are numerous other walking and cycling opportunities.
Suggested Day Out
Our suggested day out takes in the historic highlights of Farnham, which can be found both indoors and out. There is also an opportunity to enjoy the North Downs Way National Trail through part of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are a host of other attractions around Farnham which have been detailed at the end.
Morning
The Museum of Farnham is housed in a splendid Georgian house, at the far end of West Street and is a good starting point for your day. Its stately rooms display and detail the town’s history and an audio tour guide of the displays is available free of charge. The Museum has an attractive walled garden, a well-stocked Local Studies Library for all your local history queries, a wide range of children’s activities and temporary exhibitions throughout the year. The Museum is open from 10am to 5pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays and admission is free.
Walking from here towards the centre of town, turn up Castle Street and head to Castle Hill where you will find the magnificent Farnham Castle (open 2 – 4pm every Wednesday), which overlooks the town. The Castle was home to Bishops of Winchester for more than 800 years and guided tours are available on Wednesday afternoons. Alternatively, Farnham Castle Keep, which is now administered by English Heritage, has an audio tour so you can discover its fascinating role in the Civil War. It is open to the public during the summer from April to September on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays between 12 noon and 5pm.
Those with young children may prefer to head out of the town centre to spend their day at The Rural Life Centre, a fun outdoor museum. Pleasantly distributed over ten acres of field, woodland and barns, the museum comprises a large number of implements and devices marking over 150 years of farming. Many aspects of village and rural life are also displayed in realistic individual settings. On Sundays and Bank Holidays, the Old Kiln Light Railway is in action providing steam and diesel hauled rides for visitors. Children love to play in the reconstructed village playground and there is ample room for family picnics around the site. The Rural Life Centre, which is on Reeds Road, between Tilford and Frensham, is just off the A287 three miles south of Farnham. Opening times are from late March to October 10am to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays; Winter Wednesday and Sundays only 11am to 4pm.
Lunch
For those in Farnham’s town centre, you will be spoilt with a wide choice of cafes and pubs for lunch as well as a good choice of shops.
Afternoon
The Tourist Information Centre can be found on South Street and it is just to the south of here that the North Downs Way National Trail begins. The first stretch of the trail has stunning panoramic views over some of the most beautiful countryside and the 10 miles walk from Farnham to Guildford will take you approximately four hours. Ask at the Tourist Information Centre for more details.
It’s well worth visiting the ruins of Waverley Abbey. This was the Cistercians first English Abbey, but is a haunting ruin now. Situated about 3 miles south of Farnham station along the B3001, Waverley Abbey was built in 1128. It was the foundation house in England of the new Cistercian order of monks where manual work was encouraged and the Liturgy simplified. Waverley continued to grow until late into the 14th century providing shelter for pilgrims and an infirmary for the sick. Unfortunately the Abbey was not well endowed and was suppressed by Henry VIII in 1536. Afterwards the Abbey became a convenient source of local building material. The resultant ruins provide a peaceful and picturesque spot. Entrance to this English Heritage site is free, and a small car park provided.
Evening
The Farnham Maltings (a community arts centre) has films, comedy evenings and gigs.
Further ideas for activities around Farnham
Frensham Great and Little Ponds
