How I really get there? Well it was a decision based on a sugarcraft course I've wanted to do. After searching rigourously the best one for me, I decided that Squires Kitchen was my best option. so there I was, in a plane of to England. After a two -three hours flight and two trains changed I' ve arrived in Farnham. My first thought was to search a taxy to take me to the hotel, well, I did search the yellow cab everywhere, but didn't found not even a trace of it and then starting to ask people around. Hopefully a nice lady shows me the cabs, all in line, all waiting for costumers and all black. So guess what? I was searching for a yellow cab and forgot the most important thing, there are not yellow cabs in Britain, only black. Shame on me for not knowing that. Anyway, arrived at the bishop's table hotel with no incidents, all was great and cosy. Next day started my course at the school, but I'll write all about that in another post, this one is about the town.
Farnham is a town in Surrey, about 55 km away from London. It has historic interest, with many old buildings, including a number of Georgian houses.
Farnham is a market town with many shops located along the main thoroughfare running through West Street, The Borough and East Street. The town has a significant number of independent retailers, some of which have been in business since the nineteenth century, such as Rangers Furnishing Stores, etc.... There are also branches of national retailers such as Argos, Robert Dyas, Boots, Poundland, Waterstone's and W H Smith. The major supermarkets are represented by Waitrose, Sainsbury's and Lidl in the town centre, and two Tesco Express stores and a Co-operative Food out of town. Sainsbury's also have a larger Superstore on the outskirts of town towards Badshot Lea. There is a large Jewson (Timber and Builders Merchants) in the same area. Large garden centres exist nearby at Holt Pound, Frensham and Badshot Lea. Castle Street's market stalls have been replaced by semi-permanent "orangery" style buildings. Once a month a farmers' market is held in the central car park where produce from farms in Farnham and the surrounding area is sold. The Farnham Maltings hosts a monthly market selling arts, crafts, antiques and bric-a-brac with specialist fairs and festivals held there on a less regular basis.
There are two main parks in Farnham town centre: Farnham Park and Gostrey Meadow. Farnham Park is adjacent to Farnham Castle. Gostrey Meadow is in the centre of Farnham, next to the river Wey, and includes a fenced children's play area. There is a skate park and leisure centre next to the town centre.
The town has a number of attractive houses from various periods, and many passages which reveal hidden parts of the town including old workshops, historic cottages and hidden gardens. Farnham Castle was built by the Normans and updated over the years as the Palace of the Bishops of Winchester. The former Bishops' Palace of the castle is now a training and conference centre, which also manages the keep, recently made more accessible by a Heritage Lottery Fund Grant. The keep is open to the public, and organised tours of the palace are held weekly. Farnham Castle overloocks the town.
almost like a secret entry.....
The weather was so beautiful and the grass so rich and green that I 've taken my shoes off and walked around the castle barefoot. Still thinking if somebody seen me and what did they think of that crazy lady...lol, but felt so good...
- outside the castle
- there was even a squirel, looking for food of course.
source photo: personal archive
The ruins of the Waverley Abbey and the surrounding land are all part of a conservation area. Waverley Abbey was the first Cistercian abbey in England. Only part of the abbey remains standing, with the ruins dating from the abbey's 13th-century reconstruction. The most substantial remains are that of the vaulted undercroft, or cellar, of the lay brother's refectory, and the walls of the monk's dormitory, which largely survive to roof height. There also survives the remains of the chapter house and traces of the north and south transepts of the abbey church.
Remains of the undercroft of the lay brothers' refectory
source photo: wikipedia
source photo: wikipedia
source photo: wikipedia
the source of the photo: personal archive @Matei delia. all rights reserved.
