The 15th. Century Gatehouse Tower of Farnham Castle behind which is the Norman Motte and Bailey dating back to 1138.
Commentary.
Farnham is a classic and dignified Market town in western Surrey.
There is evidence of settlement in this area, continuously,
through Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages,
Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval to modern times.
It sits in a shallow valley, south of the Chalk Downs
linking the Hogs Back to the Hampshire Downs.
Springs emerged where Chalk meets Gravels or Gault Clay.
The southern part of the town rises on the Lower Greensand of The Weald.
The town has seen many economic ups and downs.
It thrived with the Wool Industry in early Medieval times,
but suffered a downturn when worsted became popular.
The wool of local sheep wasn’t suitable.
Nearby Waverley Abbey was built in 1128,
but faded to neglect by the time of Henry V111’s Dissolution of the Monasteries.
The town suffered badly in the mid-14th. Century
with a third of the population dying from the Black Death.
Following the eventual victory of Parliamentarians over Royalists,
Bishops were allowed, again, to reside in their Palace, adjacent to the Castle.
It became a successful Market Town by the 17th. Century,
particularly in relation to huge local wheat production.
The underlying Gault and Wealden Clay gave rise to a thriving, local Pottery industry.
The railway arrived in 1848 and eventually was connected to a line to London.
Wealthy merchants could then buy and sell through London markets.
During the 19th. and 20th. Centuries Farnham became a viable “Commuter” town.
Along, East, West and Castle Streets and The Borough many fine
Tudor, Georgian, Regency and Victorian buildings, still exist.
The Creative Arts are still very popular and Architects, Painters and Potters have benefitted from Art Schools and Colleges and Galleries.
Markets for food and the Arts still take place, regularly.
Yet, the town still has a good range of Supermarkets and Chain Stores, as well as a fine range of “Bespoke” shops for home goods, clothes and refreshments.
Farnham still is a fine Market Town, with history and architecture, to boot.
The 15th. Century Gatehouse Tower of Farnham Castle behind which is the Norman Motte and Bailey dating back to 1138.
Commentary.
Farnham is a classic and dignified Market town in western Surrey.
There is evidence of settlement in this area, continuously,
through Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages,
Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Medieval to modern times.
It sits in a shallow valley, south of the Chalk Downs
linking the Hogs Back to the Hampshire Downs.
Springs emerged where Chalk meets Gravels or Gault Clay.
The southern part of the town rises on the Lower Greensand of The Weald.
The town has seen many economic ups and downs.
It thrived with the Wool Industry in early Medieval times,
but suffered a downturn when worsted became popular.
The wool of local sheep wasn’t suitable.
Nearby Waverley Abbey was built in 1128,
but faded to neglect by the time of Henry V111’s Dissolution of the Monasteries.
The town suffered badly in the mid-14th. Century
with a third of the population dying from the Black Death.
Following the eventual victory of Parliamentarians over Royalists,
Bishops were allowed, again, to reside in their Palace, adjacent to the Castle.
It became a successful Market Town by the 17th. Century,
particularly in relation to huge local wheat production.
The underlying Gault and Wealden Clay gave rise to a thriving, local Pottery industry.
The railway arrived in 1848 and eventually was connected to a line to London.
Wealthy merchants could then buy and sell through London markets.
During the 19th. and 20th. Centuries Farnham became a viable “Commuter” town.
Along, East, West and Castle Streets and The Borough many fine
Tudor, Georgian, Regency and Victorian buildings, still exist.
The Creative Arts are still very popular and Architects, Painters and Potters have benefitted from Art Schools and Colleges and Galleries.
Markets for food and the Arts still take place, regularly.
Yet, the town still has a good range of Supermarkets and Chain Stores, as well as a fine range of “Bespoke” shops for home goods, clothes and refreshments.
Farnham still is a fine Market Town, with history and architecture, to boot.