Farnham

Farnham, a town of Surrey, 38 miles SW. of London by rail, stands on the Wey, embosomed in hop-gardens. The principal feature is the old castle of the bishops of Winchester, first built by Bishop Henry de Blois, King Stephen's brother. Razed by Henry III., and afterwards rebuilt, it was garrisoned by Charles I., and restored in 1684 to its present state by Bishop Morley. A handsome Italian town-hall was built in 1866. Moor Park, the seat of Sir William Temple, with memories of Swift and 'Stella,' is in the vicinity; so, too, are the remains of Waverley Abbey (1128), whose Annales Waverlienses suggested to Scott the name of his first romance. The chief trade is in hops, a very fine variety being grown here. Pop. (1891) 5545. Toplady and Cobbett were natives. Aldershot Camp (q.v.) is 3 miles NE. of Farnham.