Museum of Farnham
Free local history museum in the Georgian Willmer House in Farnham, with collections on town life, crafts, costume and art.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museum of Farnham is housed in Willmer House, a Georgian townhouse on West Street completed in 1718 and now Grade I listed. The museum was founded in 1961 to give the town a home for its local history collections.
The building was sold by Surrey County Council to Waverley Borough Council in 2012. The museum is now part of the Farnham Maltings organisation, a registered charity, which runs it together with a restoration project to repair the historic house.
The displays cover the history of Farnham and the surrounding area, including town and country life, transport and local figures such as the writer William Cobbett and the racing driver Mike Hawthorn. The collections also include archaeology, costume and local artworks. A Garden Gallery in the walled garden is used for exhibitions and can be hired.
Highlights
- Grade I listed Georgian townhouse from 1718
- Local history displays including William Cobbett and Mike Hawthorn
- Costume and local art collections
- Walled garden with a Garden Gallery
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Local history of Farnham – Displays on the history of Farnham and its surroundings, including town and country life, transport, and local figures such as William Cobbett and Mike Hawthorn.
- Founded
- 1961
- Operated by
- Farnham Maltings
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups (4+ people) | –Groups of 4 to 36 people must book in advance |
|---|
Admission is free for everyone. Some events and exhibitions may be ticketed.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Wheelchair access is available to the ground floor, the shop toilet, the Garden Gallery and the garden; the upper floors are reached by stairs. A large print guide is available, and handling sessions for visually impaired visitors can be arranged by appointment. Guide dogs are permitted.
Kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The museum offers a children's trail, activity packs for different ages, half-term activities and a Museum Club, according to the local council's directory entry. The museum also runs family events and exhibitions aimed at children and families.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
West Street (bus)
Farnham railway station is about three quarters of a mile away (15 to 20 minutes on foot), with two trains an hour to and from London Waterloo. Bus 65 between Guildford and Alton stops on West Street, a short walk away.
By car
Paid parking · 10-min walk to the entrance
The nearest car park is Lower Hart Car Park next to Waitrose, about 10 minutes on foot. Two-hour on-street parking is available outside the museum, but spaces are limited.
The museum is in the town centre at 38 West Street.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum shop sells work by local makers. The walled garden is a picnic site.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
Up to 60 guests.
The Garden Gallery in the walled garden can be hired; one listing gives a capacity of up to about 60 people for small meetings and events.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Groups must prebook (4 to 36 people) and can have guided tours. School sessions are offered at the museum and as outreach, and loan boxes of handling objects can be hired by schools. |
