Farnham



Farnham is an ancient medieval town in Surrey, full of interesting historical sites and beautiful Georgian buildings.

Understand
With evidence to suggest that Farnham has been a settlement for tens of thousands of years, the town is rich in history. Taking in the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age, the Romans and Saxons also settled in Farnham. The town boasts an intact Norman castle and keep, built for the Bishop of Winchester as a half-way point between his home in Winchester and London. Part of the castle and its keep are now open to the public. Farnham and its castle played a major part in the English Civil War, with visits from King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell. Following this period, the town became known for its market, which the author Daniel Defoe described as the greatest after London. Industries in the town have included the production of pottery, wool, crops, flour, and beer.

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.

By bus
Buses run from Farnham to surrounding towns and villages usually every hour. Contact Traveline for bus information on 0871 2002233 or visit the Traveline website.

By plane
Farnham is well served by London airports. For travellers coming directly to Farnham, the most convenient are:
 * Heathrow Airport, about 35 minutes drive along the M25 motorway then the M3 motorway. Alternatively, the airport is linked directly to Woking rail station by the RailAir express bus service.
 * Gatwick Airport is about an hour and 15 minutes drive via the M23 (northbound), M25 (clockwise) and M3 (southbound) roads.

Southampton and Bournemouth airports are also nearby and easily accessible.

By train
is served by commuter and regional train services from many different directions. There are regular services to and from London Waterloo which take approximately one hour. The trains from Waterloo to Farnham are timetabled to Alton (two stops beyond Farnham), and normally leave Waterloo from platforms 8-12 (but do vary).

Train times can be found on the National Rail website or by calling +44 845 7484950.

By coach
Coach services are available from Heathrow to Farnham, via London Victoria. For more information visit the National Express website.

Get around
Farnham is very easy to navigate on foot and most places are easily walkable. The train station is about 10 minutes walk from the town centre.

By taxi
There are taxi ranks at the railway station and at the bottom of Castle Street. For a list of taxi companies, visit the town council website.

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Go next

 * Guildford
 * Godalming
 * Woking
 * London