History

A Very Short History of Farnham

Farnham’s history dates back thousands of years. The first evidence of a human presence in Farnham was in the Paleolithic period (500,000 BC – 10,000 BC) and owed to favourable conditions for living, including the presence of flint for making tools, water, floodplains for foraging, and forests for hunting, including the area now known as Alice Holt.

It wasn’t just humans who were present. The remains of a mammoth have been uncovered at Coxbridge to the west of Farnham. Humans settled locally during the Mesolithic period (10,000 BC – 4,000 BC) and started farming in the Neolithic period (4,000 BC – 2,200 BC).

The Bronze Age (2,400 BC – 800 BC) saw the advent of bronze hand tools, and decorative art and artefacts from this era have been found at Bourne Mill and Badshot Lea. Iron Age settlers (800 BC – AD 43) transitioned to iron implements, and many examples have been discovered in the Farnham area, including Caesars Camp Hillfort near Hale.

Small settlements, mainly linked to the pottery industry, existed during the Roman occupation (AD 43 – AD 410). Farnham is also close to the Roman town of Neatham, which, in turn, was connected to the main Roman road network.

The town’s name, derived from “Fearnhamme,” indicates its Anglo-Saxon origins as a settlement amidst fern-covered lands. In a charter of 688, Caedwalla granted land at Farnham for a minster. The later Domesday Book of 1086 lists a church, the predecessor of the present-day St. Andrew’s church, which is a central feature of Farnham’s historical identity. The Normans also established a new town, the Borough.

Farnham’s medieval significance began in earnest with the building of Waverley Abbey in 1128 and Farnham Castle in 1138. For centuries, the Castle served as a residence for the Bishops of Winchester, playing a role in regional defence and ecclesiastical administration. The town’s layout reflects its medieval past, with narrow, winding streets and historic buildings.

The Castle’s construction attracted visitors, who influenced the town’s development. In 1248, Farnham was granted a Market Charter, establishing it as an important market town where wheat, wool, and woven cloth were traded.

The Black Death had a devastating impact on Farnham. The plague drastically reduced the population, leading to significant social and economic changes. The labour shortage caused by high mortality rates resulted in shifts in land use and agricultural practices and changes in social structures and labour relations. The aftermath of the Black Death influenced the town’s development for decades, shaping its recovery and future growth.

By the seventeenth century, Farnham was a thriving market town, enjoying the prestige of Royal favour. The Hundred and Manor continued to be held by the Bishop of Winchester, and the townspeople benefited from this ecclesiastical association. During the Civil War, there were several skirmishes at the Castle. Despite this disruption, Farnham continued to prosper and grow. It became a significant centre for growing hops, which continues today, albeit on a tiny scale.

The eighteenth century saw the construction of many Georgian buildings, adding to the town’s architectural history. Farnham’s strategic location on the main road from London to Winchester also spurred its development as a coaching town.

The railway, built in the nineteenth century, more conveniently linked Farnham to London, which promoted residential growth. The army’s arrival in nearby Aldershot also influenced Farnham, benefitting employment and retail trade. The Victorian era also established the Farnham School of Art, which later became the University for the Creative Arts and has played a crucial role in shaping Farnham’s identity as a centre for arts, crafts and education.

The history of twentieth-century Farnham has been shaped by the impact of two world wars, urbanisation, economic transition, cultural and educational growth, preservation efforts, community, civic and recreational development, all of which have contributed to its character and identity as a modern yet historically rich town.

There is so much more to discover! If you want to learn more about Farnham’s history, please join the Farnham & District Museum Society – your friendly local history society for the town and surrounding villages.