Farnham is a market town on the western edge of the county close to the border with Hampshire. There has been human activity in the area since the Neolithic at least, Farnham has Saxon origins and the name probably means Fern Meadow (Fearnhamme). The first mention of Farnham dates from 688. At the start of the 9th century, Farnham was recorded as being under the control of the bishops of Winchester. Farnham castle was later built (in 1138) as a residence for the bishop as Farnham was half way between London and Winchester and thus the perfect place to rest at night on the bishops' frequent "commutes". King Henry VIII spent part of his teenage years at the castle.
Cloth making, especially kersey, was the major trade of the town in medieval times. Farnham gained a market charter in 1249, and was said at one time to have the largest corn market outside of London. The arrival of the railway in 1848 with it's link to London led to London businessmen taking houses in Farnham.
