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About Farnham - Stay a Little Longer

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The archaeologists tell us that Farnham in Surrey has been a settlement for tens of thousands of years and the town is rich in history. One can walk around town and see Neolithic stone sarsens, sites of Roman inhabitation and medieval rubbish ditches. The town has its Norman castle with its keep, plenty of Georgian and Victorian buildings as well as modern structures.

Never think that Farnham is stuck in the past: it may be rooted there but the town is very definitely forward-looking.

Farnham has been noted for its potteries, wool and hops, leading to a vibrant brewing industry. Over the centuries, more than 300 pubs have come and (mostly) gone in the town. There are still some sparkling examples let for you to enjoy. It is now a vibrant thriving craft town, with plenty of attractions for families and visitors of all ages.

Farnham has been the birthplace or home of many famous sons and daughters: Jonathan Swift (Author), Augustus Montague Toplady (Anglican cleric and hymn writer), William Cobbett (MP and journalist), Florence Nightingale (Social reformer and founder of modern nursing), John Henry Knight (Inventor and vehicle manufacturer), Sir James Barrie (Playwright), Arthur Conan Doyle (Author), George Sturt (Author), Edwin Lutyens (Architect), Harold Falkner (Architect), Mike Hawthorn (F1 driver), Henry Hammond (Potter), Sir Jeffrey Tate CBE (Conductor), Nick Craig (Sailor), Jonny Wilkinson (Rugby Player), Rachel Morris (Paralympian), Ron Stonehouse (Athlete), to name a few!

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

What follows is a list of things to do, places to see and amenities in the area. They are not in any specific order, just wander over the links and enjoy!

Get here

By road

Farnham is on the A31, so has excellent connections to London and the rest of the country. Just 11 miles from the M3 and 20 miles from the M25, Farnham is well served by the motorway network. Yet another half mile will get you out into the idyllic countryside.

By bus

Buses run from Farnham to Aldershot, Guildford, Alton and the surrounding towns and villages usually every hour.

By plane

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

Heathrow Airport, about 45 minutes drive away. Alternatively, the airport is linked directly to Woking rail station by the RailAir express bus service and to Guildford by First Air buses.

Gatwick Airport is about an hour and 15 minutes drive. The airport is easy to get to by rail from North Camp or Guildford.

Southampton and Bournemouth airports are also nearby and easily accessible.

By train

Farnham mainline station is served by commuter and regional train services from London, Guildford and Alton. There are regular services to and from London Waterloo which take approximately one hour.

By coach

Coach services are available from London Victoria.