Interestingly, the Saxons gave Farnham its name, which was originally Fearnhamme, fearn referring to the fern and bracken of the land and hamme to the water meadows.
The town centre is dominated by Farnham’s Norman castle, which dates back to the 12th Century and was home to the first Cistercian Abbey founded in Britain. It has been an important meeting place for the kings and queens of England and stands on the southern edge of Farnham’s historic deer park. The town has known many famous sons and daughters, including Jonathan Swift (1667-1645), best known as the author of Gulliver’s Travels, Augustus Montague Toplady (1740-1778), who wrote the hymn Rock of Ages, William Cobbett (1763-1835), arguably the most influential person Farnham has ever produced, Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), who was connected to Farnham through her aunt, Ann, who married George Nicholson, the owner of Waverley Abbey, Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930), who featured the village of Tilford in two of his novels and the famous architects, Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944), and Harold Faulkner (1875-1963).
Farnham is noted for its many exclusive shops, quaint flower filled courtyards, pavement cafes, mainline station offering a fast regular service to Waterloo, and ready access to large areas of open countryside and National Trust Land, offering a wealth of opportunities for walking, riding, golf and other country pursuits.
There is a wide choice of state and private schools in the area for children of all ages, and the town is home to UCA Farnham (University for the Creative Arts).
Farnham Maltings works with communities across South-East England to encourage the greatest number of people to make, see and enjoy the best art possible.
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