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How it rates

In the heart of Surrey's commuter belt, Farnham is an old market town that can be traced back to the Stone Age. Since Roman times the area has been exploited for pottery and brick-making, as a result of the large supply of gault clay. Today it is an elegant town with narrow streets lined with some of the finest Georgian architecture found in the South of England.

Architectural gems

Overlooking the town, Farnham Castle was built by the Normans and consists of a keep and palace house, which was home to the powerful bishops of Winchester for more than 900 years. A short distance from Farnham are the ruins of Waverley Abbey, the Grade II listed Moor Park House and Mother Ludlam's Cave.

What's new

Blenheim Mews is a gated courtyard community of 12 apartments and townhouses. It is in the town centre, within walking distance of the railway station. Prices start at £324,950. Contact Hamptons International on 01252 714164.

Travel

Trains from Farnham railway station to London Waterloo take just under an hour. The A287 at Farnham links to the M3 and A3. Heathrow is 31 miles away; Gatwick and Southampton airports are both about 43 miles away.

Quality of life

Pretty good. The town is only 42 miles from London, making it ideal for city types looking for an idyllic country life. The town borders the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the North Downs. Alice Holt Forest and Frensham Ponds are each close by.

Smartest streets

Farnham is an expensive area in which to live and buy property. The lovely villages around Farnham, such as Crondall, Rowledge, Tilford and Lower Bourne, are full of country cottages and larger houses. Prices there can exceed £2 million. Hamptons International has a country house with lodge for sale in Tilford for £7 million. Farnham itself has a variety of property, from new-build apartments to grand Georgian townhouses. The Georgian properties can sell for as much as £1.5 million in the current market.

Restaurants

Loch Fyne is excellent for seafood and The Banaras is the pick of the Indian restaurants.

Nightlife

Farnham Maltings hosts concerts, gigs and stand-up comedy, but, despite the student population, there is not a lot for younger people to do other than to visit various local pubs. The Maltings also lays on the annual Farnham Beer Festival.

Education

Farnham Grammar School dates to before 1585. In 1973 it joined forces with the girls' grammar school and became Farnham College - a sixth-form college. South Farnham Junior School (7-11 years) is the best in the area. University College for the Creative Arts (UCCA) offers higher education and focuses on art and design at its Farnham campus.

Working life

Through the years, Farnham has been known for pottery, brick-making and brewing beer, but these industries ended decades ago. Today, the majority of the people who live in the town work in London or in the larger towns in the area.

Upside

Farnham has houses from many periods and the winding passages reveal old workshops, historic cottages and pretty gardens. The award-winning Museum of Farnham is worth a visit, with its timeline of Farnham from prehistory to the present day.

Downside

Traffic congestion, road safety and pollution are the main concerns. The town centre frequently experiences gridlock at peak times. Emissions from heavy traffic have reputedly made The Borough, a main street in the town centre, one of the most heavily polluted streets in England.

At a glance:

£11 million: The highest price for a house sold in Farnham in the past two years

Source: Knight Frank

262: The number of council-managed allotments in Farnham

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