Farnham 152926 223581884 2008-07-04T18:50:29Z Timeroot 7362413 Fixed a link {{other}} {{infobox UK place| |country = England |latitude=51.20 |longitude= -0.79 |official_name= Farnham |static_image=[[Image:FarnhamCst.png|240px]] |static_image_caption=<small>Castle Street</small> |population = 38,000 |shire_district= [[Waverley, Surrey|Waverley]] |shire_county = [[Surrey]] |region= South East England |map_type= Surrey |constituency_westminster= [[South West Surrey]] |post_town= Farnham |postcode_district = GU9 |postcode_area= GU |dial_code= 01252 |os_grid_reference= SU839468 }} '''Farnham''' is a [[town]] in [[Surrey]], [[England]], within the Borough of [[Waverley Borough Council|Waverley]]. The town is situated some 42 miles (67 km) southwest of [[London]] in the extreme west of Surrey, adjacent to the border with [[Hampshire]]. By road [[Guildford]] is 11 miles (17 km) to the east, [[Aldershot]] 4 miles (7 km) to the north-east and [[Winchester]] 28 miles (45 km) to the south-west. It is of historic interest, with many old buildings, including a number of [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] houses. [[Farnham Castle]] overlooks the town. The former Bishops' Palace of the castle is now a conference centre, but the medieval keep is in the care of [[English Heritage]] and has limited [http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.15093 opening to the public]. A short distance south-east of the town centre are the ruins of [[Waverley Abbey]], [[Moor Park, Farnham|Moor Park House]] and [[Mother Ludlam's Cave]]. Farnham is [[Town twinning|twinned]] with [[Andernach]] in [[Germany]]. ==Communications== [[Farnham railway station]] is on the [[Alton Line]], which provides commuter links to [[London]] at [[Waterloo station|Waterloo]]. The [[A31 road|A31]] Farnham bypass links the town by road to [[Winchester]], [[Alton, Hampshire|Alton]] and [[Guildford]]; the [[A325 road|A325]] links the town to [[Farnborough]] and to the [[A3 road|A3]] (London-Portsmouth) at [[Greatham]]. The [[A287 road|A287]] links Farnham to the [[M3 motorway|M3]] at [[Hook]] and the A3 at [[Hindhead]]. [[London Heathrow Airport]] is 31 miles by road but is served only by indirect public transport routes from Farnham. [[London Gatwick Airport|Gatwick Airport]] and [[Southampton Airport]] are each about 43 miles away by main roads. ==Facilities== ===Education=== There are three [[secondary school]]s in Farnham; [[Weydon School|Weydon]], [[Farnham Heath End School|Heath End]] and [[All Hallows Catholic School]]. There are also a number of [[primary school]]s in Farnham, including Pilgrims Way, [http://www.potters-gate.surrey.sch.uk/index.php Potters Gate CE Primary School], Rowledge, St Peter's and South Farnham School. Farnham Grammar School was created some time before 1585 (the date of a donation being made by a Richard Searle "to the maintenance of the school in Farnham"). It is possible that this ancient school dated back as far as 1351 when a chantry was created at Farnham Castle, but there is no documentary evidence of this. It benefited over the years from bequests by different people as well as the generosity of Bishops of Winchester who occupied Farnham Castle over the centuries. In 1905 the town centre assets of the old grammar school, located in West Street, were sold in order to purchase and build new premises in fields to the south of the town. In 1973 this campus became a [[Sixth Form College]] and was renamed [[Farnham College]]. The [[University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester]] or UCCA (a merger of the local [[Surrey Institute of Art & Design, University College]] and [[Kent Institute of Art & Design]]) offers higher education. ===Shopping in Farnham=== Farnham is a former market town with many shops located along both sides of the main thoroughfare running through West Street, The Borough and East Street. The town includes a significant number of independent retailers offering antiques, furnishings, and high quality food items. There are also branches of national retailers such as [[Woolworths Group plc|Woolworths]], [[Argos (retailer)|Argos]], [[Robert Dyas]], [[Boots Group|Boots the Chemist]], [[Waterstone's]] and [[W H Smith]]. The major supermarkets are represented by [[Waitrose]], [[Sainsbury's]], [[Lidl]] and [[Iceland (supermarket)|Iceland]] in the town centre, and two [[Tesco]] Expresses located on Ridgeway Road and in Upper Hale. Sainsbury's also have a hypermarket on the outskirts of town towards [[Badshot Lea]]. Large garden centres exist nearby at [[Holt Pound]] (Forest Lodge), [[Frensham]] (Frensham Garden Centre) and Badshot Lea (Squires). Castle Street's market stalls have been replaced by semi-permanent "orangery" style buildings selling a range of fresh produce. Farnham is also known for its numerous secondhand charity shops which offer plenty of high quality items, especially clothes. ====Markets==== A large market selling arts, crafts, antiques and bric-a-brac takes place under-cover at the Farnham Maltings on the first Saturday of each month. A [[Farmers' market]] is held in the central car park on the fourth Sunday of every month, selling high-quality, locally-produced meat, fruit and vegetables, bread and cakes, preserves, beer and cider, fruit juices, cheeses and other dairy products. Toy, crafts and militaria fairs are hosted by the Maltings from time to time where new and used items can be bought and sold. ===Leisure and recreation=== ====Sports==== [[Image:Farnham cricket1.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Cricket is played in the ground north of [[Farnham Castle]]]] There are various facilities available in Farnham one of which is the local [[leisure centre]]. The leisure centre has a gym under the [[Kinetica]] [[Franchising|franchise]] through which personal instructors can be hired. The centre is also the home of Farnham Swimming Club which allows youngsters to swim and compete with other local clubs such as [[Guildford]]. The town is represented in the non-league football pyramid by [[Farnham Town F.C.]], who compete in the [[Combined Counties League]]. Farnham Cricket Club was started in 1782.<ref>[http://www.farnhamcc.co.uk/ Farnham Cricket Club]</ref>. The ground is at the edge of Farnham Park and in the shadows of the castle. There is also a local umpires association.<ref>[http://www.farnhamumpiresassociation.com/ Farnham Umpires Association]</ref> The Farnham and Aldershot hockey club runs three men's teams and two women's teams. Floorball hockey is played by the adult team Southern Vipers FBC and junior floorball is also played at Farnham Sports Centre. Farnham also has a public [[golf course]] which is situated next to the cricket ground directly behind [[Farnham Castle]]. It was designed by Sir [[Henry Cotton]], three times [[British Open]] Champion.<ref>[http://www.farnhamparkgolf.com/aboutus.php Farnham Golf Course]</ref> It is a nine hole par three golf course open daily. =====Farnham's Sporting Heroes===== * [[William Beldham|"Silver Billy" Beldham]] (1766-1862) was one of the greatest cricketers in England during the Napoleonic era, pre-dating [[W. G. Grace]]. He was born on the outskirts of town at [[Wrecclesham]] and played in Farnham Cricket Club's first match, against [[Odiham]], when he was 16 years old, having already played for the famous [[Hambledon Club]] at just 14. By the age of 21 he was widely recognised as the best batsman in England. * [[Mike Hawthorn]] (1929-1959), driving for [[Ferrari]], became the first British [[Formula One]] World Champion in 1958. His family moved to Farnham when he was just 2 years old, so his father could be near to [[Brooklands]] race track. * [[Jonny Wilkinson]] (1979- ) England world cup winner and former captain, and England scrum half [[Peter Richards (rugby player)|Peter Richards]] (1978- ) were not born in Farnham but both played for Farnham Rugby Football Club at mini level. * [[Graham Thorpe]] (1969- ) England cricket captain, was born in Farnham and played at the Farnham cricket ground. * [[Joel Freeland]] (1987- ), international basketball player, was born in Farnham. ====Entertainment==== [[Farnham maltings|Farnham Maltings]] has diverse concerts including [[opera]], [[Folk music|folk]] and [[acoustic]] music gigs, band evenings and [[stand up comedy]] nights, however there is not a lot of entertainment for younger people. There is a [[film|cinema]] run every Wednesday at the Maltings but the films are either '[[Art film|art house]]' or tend to be 6 months old. The Maltings does however host a successful "Acoustic Fridays" evening once a month, and this has a student following due to the fact many students play sets there. A regular [[blues]] night takes place in the "Cellar Bar" and the whole venue is taken over for the annual Blues Festival. In keeping with the town's historical link with hop-growing and beer, the Farnham Maltings also plays host to the [[Farnham Beer Exhibition]], one of the largest beer festivals in Britain, an annual event that started in 1977. Some of the most popular pubs in Farnham are The Plough, The William Cobbett, The Lamb, and the student union bar of the UCCA, all of which have live music regularly. Although providing adequate entertainment, some have described the town as "a bit like [[Bournemouth]] without the clubs" perhaps referring to the demographics of the town! * [[Indie Rock]] band [[Furthest Drive Home]] are from Farnham. ====Carnival==== Farnham also has a yearly carnival, normally on the last Saturday in June, organised by two charitable [[service organisation]]s, the Farnham [[Lions Club]] and [http://www.the-hedgehogs.org.uk/Hedgehogs2007/index.htm The Hedgehogs]. Castle Street is closed for the evening, with bands playing on a stage in the street, a [[beer tent]], [[barbecue]], and sideshows. A procession of [[Float (parade)|carnival floats]], [[marching band]]s, [[tableau vivant|tableaux]], [[Float (parade)|trade floats]] and classic vehicles parade through the main streets of the town. Staff of the local Kar Ling Kwong Chinese restaurant traditionally perform the [[Lion Dance]] each year as part of the parade. [http://www.potters-gate.surrey.sch.uk/index.php Potters Gate CE Primary School] won the "Best in Show" award for the parade in 2005, 2006, and 2007. ====Public library==== Farnham Public Library is a community facility that provides a free [[lending library]] service to local residents and workers of a wide range of books, audiobooks, periodicals, DVDs and videos. It includes a children's section. The library was refurbished in November 2005. The library also provides IT facilities and a [[reference library]] for research purposes. The library is housed in the historic Vernon House at which [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]] slept on his way to his trial and execution in London in [[1649]], a situation commemorated by a plaque on the building wall. The library also features public gardens with sculptures provided by local artists. ====Museum of Farnham==== Willmer House, in West Street, houses this extensive collection of artefacts from all periods of the town's history and prehistory. Admission is free. The museum has active support from both the Friends of the Museum of Farnham and The Farnham and District Museum Society. In addition to permanent displays such as "Discover the History of Farnham", "On the road to Winchester", Farnham motoring links, Farnham Greenware Pottery, William Cobbett, George Sturt and [[Harold Falkner]], it features a changing range of activities and exhibitions, many of which are aimed to be of particular interest to children and families<ref>Waverley Borough Council website</ref>. The museum has received numerous awards, including a special commendation in the European Museum of the Year awards in 1994<ref>[http://assembly.coe.int/Museum/ForumEuroMusee/allawards.asp European Museum of the Year Awards, at the Council of Europe's website]</ref>. The museum also has a Local Studies Library to support family tree and house detectives, school projects & local history queries. Willmer House is a fine eighteenth century town house with a decorative brickwork facade. The house and its garden are worth a visit in their own right. * [http://www.waverley.gov.uk/museumoffarnham/ Museum of Farnham website] ====Eating and drinking==== Farnham has a wide choice of eating and drinking establishments. The town centre has a large number of restaurants including two Chinese, four Indian, a Thai, Italian and a number of the major chains such as Loch Fyne, Café Rouge, Pizza Express, Zizzi, etc. There are a number of independent restaurants offering various cuisines and a number of takeaways including kebabs. There are many pubs in the town (though far fewer than the 80 which existed about a century ago) but, with the trend towards modern decor, few of these can be considered "traditional". Some good remaining examples include The Lamb and the Plough (both selling [[Shepherd Neame]] beers), the Hop Blossom and the Queens Head (both [[Fullers]]), the William Cobbett (selling a range of [[real ale]]s from small breweries), the Nelson Arms (which sells the local [[Hogs Back Brewery]] products, and the Wheatsheaf, which sells [[Timothy Taylor]]'s and other beers including [[Triple fff]] products. ====Tourism==== The town has a number of attractive houses from various periods and many interesting passages which reveal hidden parts of the town including old workshops, historic cottages and pretty, hidden gardens. Farnham Castle was built by the [[Norman]]s and updated over the years as the [[Palace]] of the Bishops of Winchester. Many of the places mentioned in the books of [[George Sturt]] can be seen, and Waverley, the first [[Cistercian]] Abbey in England is open to the public. Farnham Park is attractive for walks and wildlife and there is a variety of attractive scenery - Farnham borders on the [[Surrey Hills AONB|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 [[heath]]s and [[downland]] scenery. The [[Rural Life Centre, Tilford|Rural Life Centre]] is nearby at Tilford, and the town is a suitable touring base for Winchester, the [[Mid-Hants Railway]] and canal trips on the [[Basingstoke Canal]] and [[Wey Navigation]]. ====Arts and crafts==== Farnham has long had a strong association with the creative arts. [[Farnham School of Art]] opened in 1866 and was associated with the [[Arts and crafts movement]] when architects such as [[Edwin Lutyens]] and Harold Falkner, painters such as [[George Watts]] and [[W. H. Allen]], potters such as [[Mary Watts]] and landscape gardeners ([[Gertrude Jekyll]]) worked in the area. Lewen Tugwell, a Farnham sculptor in the 1960s, invented a technique for production of a unique craft product made from resin, [[Shattaline]]. Items made by this process in his workshops in Long Garden Walk are now very collectable. Farnham has several art galleries - the New Ashgate Gallery in Lower Church Lane has exhibitions by established and new artists in a variety of media, the exhibition changing on the first Saturday of each month. Castle Galleries in Lion and Lamb Yard is a commercial gallery featuring contemporary artists and the [[University College for the Creative Arts]] features work by nationally and internationally known artists as well as work by the students. Lastly, the gallery at Farnham Maltings has frequent exhibitions. Adult education art classes are popular in Farnham, and the [http://www.farnhamart.org/ Farnham Art Society], founded in 1944, continues to thrive. * '''Further Reading''' - "A Sketch History of Art in Farnham" by Robin Radley (published by Farnham Castle Newspapers, undated) =====Pottery===== Since Roman times the [[weald]]en clay of the area has been exploited for pottery and brickmaking. Pottery continued on a small-scale commercial basis until the closure of [[Farnham Pottery]] at Wrecclesham in 1998, when it passed to the Farnham Buildings Preservation Trust. Farnham Pottery , in addition to utility wares, became famous during the [[Arts and crafts movement]] for their decorative wares, either hand-thrown or moulded and decorated in a variety of coloured glazes, particularly "Farnham Greenware". There was close co-operation between the pottery and [[Farnham School of Art]] (now a campus of the UCCA). =====Painting===== [[W. H. Allen|William Herbert Allen]], the notable English landscape watercolour artist, lived and worked in Farnham for most of his career. He was Master of Farnham Art School from [[1889]] to [[1927]] and many of his works depict landscapes of the Farnham area. Popular artists from Farnham in recent years include Charles Bone, whose watercolour landscapes of the area are very popular as limited edition prints, and [[Josephine Wall]], a popular fantasy artist who was born in the town. =====Performing arts===== Theatre was formerly popular in Farnham. The Castle Theatre in Castle Street was replaced by the Redgrave Theatre in 1974 which, itself, closed down in 1998. Occasional productions in the Maltings or in the grounds of Farnham Library have taken place since then. Various genres of music are also promoted at the Maltings, where there is also a dance studio. [[Gerald Flood]], stage, TV and film actor, lived in Farnham for most of his life; [[Lupino family|Peter Lupino]], a well-known [[West End theatre|West End]] actor of the 1930s and 40s, and member of the famous theatrical family, also lived for many years in Farnham, in Red Lion Lane and was a well-known local character in his retirement. Actor [[Bill Maynard]], the "[[Carry On films|Carry On]]" and "[[Heartbeat (TV series)|Heartbeat]]" actor, was born in the town, as was [[Bill Wallis]], who learned his trade on the stage of the Castle Theatre. Opera singer Sir [[Peter Pears]] (1910-1986) was born in Farnham and [[Jessie Matthews]], OBE (1907-1981), the popular English actress, dancer, and singer of the 1930s to 1960s, lived in Farnham, where she ran the Alliance public house (now closed). * [http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/FarnhamTheatres.htm Arthur Lloyd's History of Theatre in Farnham] =====Literature===== It was in Farnham that [[J. M. Barrie]] wrote [[Peter Pan]], whilst living at Black Lake Cottage. ==Politics== Farnham Town Council [http://www.farnham.gov.uk/ Farnham Town Council] is composed of 18 councillors. Of these, 14 are [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]], 3 are Independents, and 1 represents the [[Liberal Democrats]]. Farnham is considered by many to be a "true blue" area, this is probably due to a proportionally higher than average number of professionals, and a high number of "City Workers". ==Current local issues== ====Development==== A proposed major re-development of part of the town by a consortium of [[Crest Nicholson]] and [[Sainsbury's]] has been causing considerable controversy for some years<ref>Farnham Herald, multiple editions</ref>. ====Traffic==== Traffic congestion, road safety and pollution are also major concerns. The A31 by-pass cuts off south Farnham from the town-centre and a light controlled crossing for vehicles and pedestrians at Hickley's Corner has been the scene of a number of fatalities. These traffic signals, together with additional signals a short distance away in each direction at the Weydon Lane junction and the Shepherd and Flock roundabout, cause significant traffic delays, especially at peak times. Resultant [[rat run]]s in the town centre frequently cause [[gridlock]]. An underpass at Hickley's Corner has been proposed but acceptance by the authorities was conditional upon an additional gyratory system on flood meadows nearby; the controversial proposal was dropped and has not been redrafted. Emissions from heavy traffic has caused The Borough (one of the main streets in the town centre) to be noted as one of the most heavily-polluted streets (in terms of air quality) in England<ref>Farnham Herald</ref>. ====Minerals==== Mineral extraction (gravel and sand) is a major industry in the [[Wey Valley]]. The constant search for new extraction sites causes much discussion and the infilling of the resultant quarries with domestic waste is also controversial. ==Geography== Farnham's history and present status are mainly the result of its [[geography]]; a combination of river, streams, fresh water springs and varied soils, together with a temperate climate, attracted early man to the area and, even today, the geology of the area greatly influences the town, both in terms of communications, scenic and botanic variety and the main local industries of agriculture and minerals extraction. Farnham lies in the valley of the North Branch of the [[River Wey]], which rises near [[Alton, Hampshire|Alton]], merges with the South Branch at [[Tilford]], and joins the [[River Thames]] at [[Weybridge]]. The mainly east-west alignment of the ridges and valleys has influenced the development of road and rail communications. The most prominent [[geology|geological]] feature is the [[chalk]] of the [[North Downs]] which forms a ridge (the [[Hog's Back]]) to the east of the town, and continues through Farnham Park to the north of the town centre, and westwards to form the Hampshire Downs. The land rises to more than 180 metres (591ft) above sea level (ASL) to the north of the town at Caesar's Camp which, with the northern part of the Park, lies on gravel beds. There are a number of [[Sinkhole|swallow holes]] in the Park where this [[stratum]] meets the chalk. The historic core of the town lies on gravel beds at an altitude of roughly 70 metres<ref>Ordnance Survey data</ref> (230ft) ASL on an underlying geology of [[Gault Clay]] and [[Upper Greensand]] and the southern part of the town rises to more than 100 metres (328 feet) on the [[Lower Greensand]]. [http://www.farnhamgeosoc.org.uk/ Farnham Geological Society] is an active organisation in the town, and the Museum of Farnham has a collection of geological samples and fossils. ==History== ===Prehistory=== ====Stone Age==== Farnham's [[history]] as a settlement can be traced back many thousands of years to the early [[Stone Age]]. Evidence exists of human presence of the site in the [[Paleolithic| Palaeolithic]] period, some 400,000 years ago. The first known settlement in the immediate area was in the [[Mesolithic]] period, some 7,000 years ago; a cluster of [[Pit-house|pit dwellings]] and evidence of a [[flint-knapping]] industry from that period has been excavated a short distance to the east of the town. [[Neolithic]] man left evidence of occupation in the form of a [[Long barrow]] at nearby [[Badshot Lea]], now destroyed by quarrying. This monument lay on the route of the [[prehistoric trackway]] known as the [[Harrow Way]] or Harroway, which passes through Farnham Park, and a [[Sarsen]] stone still stands nearby, which is believed to have marked the safe crossing point of a marshy area near the present Shepherd and Flock roundabout. The parallel [[Pilgrims' Way]], known as such for linking [[Canterbury]] to [[Winchester]], also dates back to prehistory and, like the Harrow Way, may date back to the time when Britain was physically joined to continental [[Europe]]<ref>Saxon Farnham by Elfrida Manning, Phillimore & Co, 1970</ref>. ====Bronze Age==== Occupation of the area continued to grow through the [[Bronze Age]]. Two bronze hoards have been discovered on [Crooksbury Hill http://bvrunners.org/crooksburyhill.aspx] and further artefacts have been found, particularly at sites in Green Lane and near the Bourne spring in Farnham Park. A significant number of Bronze Age [[Tumulus|barrows]] occur in the area, including a triple barrow at [[Elstead]] and an [[Urnfield culture|urnfield]] cemetery at Stoneyfield, near the [[Tilford]] road. ====Iron Age==== [[Hill fort]]s from the early [[Iron Age]] exist locally at Botany Hill to the south of the town and at "Caesar's Camp" to the north of the town at Upper Hale. The latter is a very large earthworks on a high promontory, served by a spring which emerges from between two [[Conglomerate (geology)|conglomerate]] [[boulder|boulders]] called the Jock and Jenny Stones. "Soldier's Ring" earthworks on Crooksbury Hill date from the later Iron Age. The final era of the Iron Age, during the 1st century B.C., found Farnham within the territory of the [[Belgic]] [[Atrebates]] tribe led by [[Commius]], a former ally of [[Julius Caesar|Caesar]] , who had brought his tribe to Britain following a dispute with the Romans. A hut dating from this period was discovered at the Bourne Spring and other occupation material has been discovered at various sites, particularly Green Lane. ===Roman Britain=== During the [[Roman Britain|Roman]] period the district became a pottery centre due to the plentiful supply of [[gault clay]], oak woodlands for fuel, and good communications via the Harrow Way and the nearby Roman road from [[Silchester]] to [[Chichester]]. Kilns dating from about A.D. 100 have been found throughout the area, including Six Bells (near the Bourne Spring), Snailslynch and Mavins Road, but the main centre of pottery had been [[Alice Holt Forest]], on the edge of the town, since about A.D 50, just 7 years after the arrival of the Romans. The Alice Holt potteries continued in use, making mainly domestic wares, until about A.D. 400. Near the Bourne Spring two Roman buildings were discovered; one was a bath-house dating from about A.D. 270 and the other a house of later date. The Roman Way housing estate stands on this site. [[William Stukeley]] propounded that Farnham is the site of the lost Roman settlement of "[[Vindomis]]", although this is now believed to be at Neatham, near [[Alton, Hampshire|Alton]]. Large hoards of Roman coins have been discovered some 10 miles south-west of Farnham in [[Woolmer Forest]] and a temple has been excavated at [[Wanborough]], about 8 miles to the east. ===The Anglo-Saxon period=== It was the [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxons]] who gave the town its name - Farnham is listed as ''Fearnhamme'' in the ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]''. ''Fearn'' refers to the fern and bracken of the land and ''Hamme'' to the water meadows. They arrived in the 6th century and, in [[688]] the [[Wessex|West Saxon]] King [[Caedwalla of Wessex|Caedwalla]] donated the district around Farnham to the Church, and to the [[diocese]] of [[Winchester, Hampshire|Winchester]]. This was the first mention of Farnham in written history. A Saxon community grew up in the valley by the river. By the year 803 Farnham had passed into the ownership of the [[Bishop of Winchester]] and the [[Manor]] of Farnham remained so (apart from two short breaks) for the next thousand years. Although Farnham is documented in Saxon texts and most of the local names are derived from their language, there is only one fully [[attest]]ed Saxon site in Farnham, just off the lower part of Firgrove Hill, where a road called Saxon Croft is now sited. Here several Saxon weaving huts from about A.D. 550 were discovered in 1924. At the time of the [[Viking|Danish]] invasion in the [[9th century]] (probably in [[893]] or [[894]]) there was a battle on the edge of the settlement when [[Edward the Elder]], son of [[Alfred the Great]], routed the invaders. ===After the Norman Invasion=== Farnham appears in [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 as ''Ferneham'', one of the five great "[[minster]]" churches in Surrey. Its domesday assets were: 40 [[hide (unit)|hide]]s; 1 church, 6 [[Mill (grinding)|mill]]s worth £2 6s 0d, 43 [[plough]]s, 35 acres of [[meadow]], [[woodland]] worth 175½ [[hog (swine)|hog]]s. It rendered £53.<ref>[http://www.gwp.enta.net/surrnames.htm Surrey Domesday Book]</ref> Waverley Abbey, the first [[Cistercian]] [[abbey]] in [[England]], was founded in [[1128]] by [[William Giffard]], [[Bishop of Winchester]] about one mile south of the town centre. [[John of England|King John]] visited Waverley in [[1208]], and [[Henry III of England|Henry III]] in [[1225]]. The abbey also produced the famous Annals of Waverley, an important reference source for the period. By the end of the thirteenth century the abbey was becoming less important. By the time it was suppressed by [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]] in [[1536]] as part of the [[Dissolution of the Monasteries|dissolution of the monasteries]] there were only thirteen monks in the community. The town is midway between Winchester and London and in [[1138]] [[Henry de Blois]] (grandson of [[William the Conqueror]], and brother of [[Stephen of England|King Stephen]]) started building [[Farnham Castle]] to provide accommodation for the Bishop of Winchester in his frequent journeying between his cathedral and the capital. The castle's garrison provided a market for farms and small industries in the town, accelerating its growth. A large earthworks north-west of the town at Barley (or Badley) Pound may be the ditch and ramparts of a wooden precursor of Farnham Castle built in the 11th century. Farnham was granted its charter as a town in [[1249]] by [[William de Ralegh]], then [[Bishop of Winchester]]. [[Image:Farnham Castle 1.jpg|250px|thumb|right|The entrance to [[Farnham Castle]]]] The Blind Bishop's Steps, a series of steps leading along Castle Street up to the Castle, were originally constructed for Bishop [[Richard Foxe]] (godfather of [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]]). The [[Black Death]] hit Farnham in [[1348]], killing about 1,300 people, at that time about a third of the population. In [[1625]] Farnham was again subject to an outbreak of the plague which, together with a severe decline in the local woollen industry (the local downland wool being unsuitable for the newly fashionable [[worsted]]) led by the 1640s to a serious [[economic depression]] in the area<ref>Farnham During the Civil Wars and Interregnum by Hall & Gretton</ref>. Local wool merchants were, like merchants throughout the country, heavily taxed by King Charles I to pay for his increasingly unpopular policies. ===The Civil War=== Against this background the [[English Civil War]] began, with Farnham playing a major part. Here, support for the [[Roundheads|Parliamentarians]] was general. The castle was considered a potential rallying point for [[Cavalier|Royalists]], resulting in the installation of a Roundhead [[garrison]] there in 1642. As the King's forces moved southwards, taking [[Oxford]], [[Reading]] and [[Windsor]], the garrison commander at Farnham (and noted poet), Captain [[George Wither]], decided to evacuate the castle; the new [[High Sheriff of Surrey]] ([[John Denham]], a Royalist sympathiser and another noted poet) then occupied the vacant castle with 100 armed supporters. With the castle and much of the surrounding area in Royalist hands, Parliament despatched Colonel Sir [[William Waller]] to Farnham to retake the castle. The defenders refused to surrender but Waller's men used a [[petard]] to destroy the castle gates and overcame them, with only one fatality, and took the High Sheriff prisoner. The following year, as the Royalists strengthened their position west of Farnham, the garrison at Farnham Castle was strengthened when it became the headquarters of the Farnham regiment of foot or "[[Greencoats]]", with some eight to nine hundred officers and men, supported by a number of troops of horse. Further reinforcement by three regiments from London, 4,000 strong under Waller's command arrived in Farnham that October prior to an unsuccessful [[foray]] to recapture Winchester from the Royalists. Eight thousand Royalists under [[Ralph Hopton, 1st Baron Hopton|Ralph Hopton]] (a former friend of Waller) advanced on Farnham from the west and skirmishes took place on the outskirts of town. Despite further reinforcement for Waller from Kent, Hopton's entire army gathered on the heathland just outside Farnham Park. There was some [[skirmish]]ing but Hopton's men withdrew. Through the next few years Farnham was an important centre of Parliamentary operations and the garrison cost Farnham people dearly in terms of local taxes, provisioning and quartering; even the lead from the Town Hall roof had been requisitioned to make bullets. A number of local women were widowed following the pressing of local men into the militia. The [[bombardment]] of [[Basing House]] was by a train of heavy [[cannon]] assembled at Farnham from other areas and, in 1646, most of the garrison was removed from Farnham to form a brigade to besiege [[Donnington Castle]] near [[Newbury]]. The King surrendered shortly afterwards at [[Newark-on-Trent|Newark]] and a small garrison remained at Farnham. In 1647, having escaped from custody at [[Hampton Court]], the King rode through Farnham at dawn on November 12th with a small party of loyal officers, en-route to the [[Isle of Wight]], where he sought [[sanctuary]] under the protection of [[Robert Hammond (Governor)|Colonel Robert Hammond]], a Parliamentarian officer but with Royalist sympathies. The following March, [[Oliver Cromwell]] stayed at Farnham for discussions concerning the marriage of his daughter to a [[Hampshire]] gentleman, although some historians have speculated that this was cover for secret negotiations with the King. Following the [[rebellion]] during the summer of [[1648]] the keep was partially dismantled at the orders of Cromwell, to make further occupation by garrison indefensible. In late November that year Hammond was summoned to Farnham, where he was arrested, and the King was removed under military escort to the mainland. On December 20th the King and his escort entered Farnham, where groups of men, women and children gathered at the roadside to welcome him and touch his hand. That night the King lodged at Culver Hall (now Vernon House) in West Street before the party continued to London for Charles' trial and execution in January [[1649]]. The King gave his [[morning cap]] to Henry Vernon, owner of Culver Hall, "as a token of Royal favour". Records show that the following period of [[interregnum]] until [[English Restoration|restoration]] of the monarchy in 1660 was a time of prosperity and growth for Farnham. In [[1660]] the Bishops of Winchester were restored to the adjoining Bishops Palace, which remained their residence until [[1927]]. From 1927 until [[1955]] it was a residence of the Bishops of the newly created diocese of [[Guildford]]. The castle is currently owned by [[English Heritage]]. ===Post-restoration=== Farnham became a successful market town; the author [[Daniel Defoe]] wrote that Farnham had the greatest corn-market after London, and describes 1,100 fully laden wagons delivering wheat to the town on market day. During the 17th century other new industries evolved: [[Farnham Pottery|greenware pottery]] (a pottery, dating from [[1873]], still exists on the outskirts of the town), [[wool]] and [[cloth]], the processing of [[wheat]] into flour, and eventually [[hops]], a key ingredient of [[beer]]. The [[Anglicanism#Anglican_divines|Anglican divine]], [[Augustus Montague Toplady]] composed the hymn [[Rock of Ages (Christian hymn)|Rock of Ages]] in [[1740]] whilst living in West Street - a plaque now marks the building where he resided. [[Image:Farnham Cobbett's birthplace.JPG|250px|thumb|left|[[William Cobbett]]'s birthplace]] The radical MP, soldier, farmer, journalist and publisher [[William Cobbett]] was born in Farnham in [[1763]], in a pub called the Jolly Farmer. The pub still stands, and has since been renamed the William Cobbett. The [[railway]] arrived in [[1848]] and, in [[1854]], neighbouring [[Aldershot]] became the “Home of the British Army”. Both events had a significant effect on Farnham. The fast link with London meant city businessmen could think of having a house in the country and still be in close contact with the office; Farnham thereby became an early example of a 'commuter town'. Also, the railway did not reach Aldershot until 1870; during the intervening period soldiers would be carried by train to [[Farnham railway station|Farnham station]] and then march to Aldershot. Many officers and their families chose to billet in Farnham itself. The railway was electrified by the Southern Railway company in 1937 as far as Alton, and a carriage shed for the new electric stock was built in Weydon Lane. This building, which carried fading camouflage paint for many years after World War II, was replaced in 2006. [[Image:St andrew farnham.jpg|thumb|right|250px|St Andrew's Parish Church seen here from the junction of Middle Church Lane and Vicarage Lane Farnham]] In [[1895]] Farnham Urban District Council (FUDC) was formed. In [[1930]] the council purchased Farnham Park, a large park which occupies much of the former castle grounds. The FUDC was abolished in 1973 by the Local Government Act of the previous year. Farnham, together with Hindhead, Haslemere, Cranleigh and surrounding areas were absorbed into the new Waverley District Council (latterly Waverley Borough Council) with its headquarters in Godalming. At a later date Farnham Parish Council became Farnham Town Council and took back some of the minor roles of the former FUDC from Waverley. In [[1901]], the population of Farnham was about 14,000. Since the end of the [[World War II|Second World War]], Farnham has expanded from a population of about 20,000 to the present 38,000. Of that figure, about 15,000 live in the town centre, whilst the remaining 23,000 live in the surrounding suburbs and villages within the town's administrative boundaries. [[Farnham Maltings]], Bridge Square was once a tannery; the site expanded to become part of the Farnham United Breweries, which included its own maltings. Taken over by a major brewer ([[Courage (brewery)|Courage's]]) brewing ceased but malting continued into the 1960s, when Courage's planned to sell off the site for redevelopment. Money raised by the people of Farnham saved the buildings from demolition for conversion to a community centre for the town. Current management places the emphasis on the arts over other community activities, many of which have ceased or moved elsewhere, but the famous [[Farnham Beer Exhibition]] (or "Beerex") continues, after more than 30 years, to be as popular as ever. Other buildings in Farnham once linked to the Farnham Maltings include The Oasthouse (now offices) in Mead Lane and The Hop Kiln (now private residences) on Weydon Lane. ==Famous people== [[Image:SpeedyKnight.jpg|350px|thumb|right|[[John Henry Knight]] with his car]] In addition to those mentioned in the text above, notable people born in Farnham include [[William Willett]], inventor of [[Daylight saving time]] (1856); [[George Sturt]], writer and social historian (1863); and [[Maud Gonne]], feminist and activist in [[Ireland|Irish]] politics (1866). [[John Henry Knight]] (1847-1917) who built the first [[United Kingdom|British]] motor car and designed a number of innovative digging machines for use in hop fields was born and brought up at [[Weybourne, Surrey|Weybourne]] on the outskirts of the town. Actor [[Jim Sturgess]] was raised in Farnham (1981) ==References== <references/> ==External links== * [http://www.farnham.gov.uk/index.php Farnham Town Council] * [http://www.farnham-taskforce.org/ Farnham Community Taskforce] * [http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1227708792 A Video Tour Of Farnham] ===History links=== * [http://www.waverley.gov.uk/museumoffarnham/ Farnham Museum] * [http://www.waverley.gov.uk/countryside/site01b.asp History of Farnham Park] * [http://www.farnhamcastle.com/ Farnham Castle] * [http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/plague_countryside_01.shtml BBC article on the rural impact of the Black Death of 1348, substantially discussing Farnham] * [http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/FarnhamTheatres.htm History of the Castle Theatre and Redgrave Theatre, Farnham] [[Category:Towns in Surrey]] [[Category:Market towns in England]] [[Category:Waverley]] [[de:Farnham (Surrey)]] [[es:Farnham]] [[fr:Farnham (Surrey)]] [[nl:Farnham (Surrey)]] [[pt:Farnham (Surrey)]] [[ro:Farnham]]