Property in Farnham – A property finder’s guide
Farnham is a pretty market town in Surrey, located 35 miles southwest of London in one of Surrey’s most westerly points, very close to the Surrey-Hampshire border. The town is well-positioned to make the very best of both Surrey and Hampshire; Guildford is just 11 miles away and Winchester in Hampshire is around 28 miles away.
When looking for property in Farnham there are a number of key residential pockets to consider that differ in property style and age. In this blog, we hope to highlight the reasons for choosing to live in Farnham and the places to look for a property to buy.
Living in Farnham
Farnham is a historic town nestled within the rolling Surrey Hills. Much smaller than nearby Guildford this vibrant town is well known for its Georgian streets and historic buildings. Like Guildford, Farnham also has its very own castle overlooking the town and the wide-open spaces of Farnham Park. The castle itself dates back to the 12th century having been built in 1138 AD and has been occupied for nearly 900 years, on occasion by Queen Victoria.
Whilst evidence of Farnham’s magnificent history is all around, Farnham in 2020 has everything for the family or young professional, offering a wealth of independent shops and more well-known UK chains. In addition, a wonderful variety of old characterful pubs as well as modern gastropubs, plus many quaint cafes and excellent restaurants. Not to mention an award-winning farmers market which is held monthly and the annual Farnham Food Festival which takes place on the towns iconic Castle Street.
There are several excellent schools in Farnham, in particular, the homes within catchment for South Farnham Primary School are sought after by families. Comprehensive schools for older children include Weydon School and All Hallows RC.
Farnham is particularly popular with commuters as homes are largely all within walking distance of Farnham train station, which provides a regular service to Waterloo in around an hour and there are also excellent road connections to the M3 motorway and A3 main road.
Where to live in Farnham
Farnham boasts many desirable residential locations, all of which offer different styles of architecture. A good place to start is right in the centre of town, with its streets of Georgian townhouses and half-timbered Queen Anne cottages, all which are found on Castle Street or Church Lane. Nearby, a wealth of attractive Victorian terraces can be found and right next to Farnham Park.
Further out there are an array of family houses on roads such as Firgrove Hill, Frensham Road, Lower Bourne and Waverley Lane, where larger period houses can be found as well as detached properties with sizeable grounds.
The Sands and Great Austin’s area of South Farnham has some of the town’s most sought after homes especially those properties within the catchment area for South Farnham Primary School.
Villages near Farnham
Immediately on the fringes of Farnham, all within 5 miles, are sought-after villages such as Tilford, Churt, Bentley and Frensham, where there is a wide range of properties for sale including characterful cottages, attractive Victorian properties, and larger family homes set within wooded private roads plus spectacular country houses offering substantial acreage.
These various locations are also within close proximity to some of Surrey’s top schools including Edgeorough, Frensham Heights, More House, St Edmunds, Amesbury, The Royal School, Aldro, Charterhouse, Prior’s Field, Royal Grammar School and Guildford High School.
Tilford
The pretty village of Tilford is located along the River Wey which attracts many visitors during the summer. The village green provides a quintessentially English focal point hosting cricket matches throughout the summer, spectators and passers-by can also enjoy a refreshment at the ever-popular Barley Mow pub.
Properties in this area often include substantial acreage and include classic country houses on picturesque plots, large and characterful Victorian homes and more modern design led family homes, many of which are to be found on private roads set within attractive woodland.
Local highlights also include the spectacular Hankley Common Golf Club, a private members club and one of the most highly rated in the UK. The course, which is a classic heathland course does, in fact, form part of Thursley, Hankley and Frensham Commons, which are designated areas of Conservation, and sites of special scientific interest. Not only are these vast areas the ideal setting for all manner of leisure pursuits they have also been the location for some famous scenes in the most recent James Bond films.
Frensham
Similar to Tilford, Frensham offers residents an array of properties from spectacular country houses with substantial grounds set within the most picturesque of settings to characterful cottages located in an idyllic village location, complete with a local shop, pub, church and recreation ground.
What makes Frensham particularly popular with residents and visitors alike is Frensham common, a fine example of open Surrey heathland covering 922 acres which includes the great pond. One of two ponds built in the Middle Ages to provide fish for the Bishop of Winchesters estate, today there is a popular sailing club and surrounding commons are visited throughout the year by residents and visitors for walking, cycling and horse riding.
Elstead
Elstead is by stunning countryside and lies in between the larger towns of Godalming and Farnham. The shops, cottages and houses that form Elstead span on both the north and south sides of the River Wey.
There are many country walks and hikes near the village, most notably at Puttenham Common with its fantastic views, Thursley Nature Reserve with its beautiful woodland and Hankley Common and Frensham Common, all of which are a five-minute drive from Elstead. The Bourne Woods is another stunning area and is famous for the filming of a few popular movies including Gladiator, Sherlock Holmes and War Horse.
Surrey Property Finders
If you’re considering a move to Farnham and are currently trying to establish which area in or around the town will best suit your lifestyle and requirements our local experts could be the ideal source of knowledge to help settle on a location to focus your home search.
As experienced property finders the Surrey team are well placed to assist with your search for a property in Farnham. Contact us to discuss your plans to move and to learn more about our services, without obligation.
