Museum of Farnham

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Museum of Farnham Local history, crafts, costumes and art in a Grade I listed Georgian town house with a walled garden.

Visit the Museum of Farnham to learn about the history of Farnham and the local area through permanent and temporary exhibitions. The museum is always free so why not come along to look at our exhibitions, admire our Grade I listed building or just relax in our beautiful walled garden. We regularly run events and activities for all ages, so keep an eye out for details of our upcoming programme.

10/10/2026

Calash bonnets - saving women from ruined hairdos since the 1700s

A calash bonnet protected the towering hairstyles of its wearer from the rain and wind. It also allowed for decency.

The eighteenth-century calash bonnet was tall and almost oval in shape, much like this one. Over time, as hairstyles changed, calash bonnets became rounder and shorter to match the nineteenth century hairstyles.

Its popularity steadily decreased after the eighteenth century as hairstyles fell.

This piece will feature in the museum’s upcoming exhibition, Country Living: Fashion in Georgian Farnham, opening in April 2027.

Try your hand at straw plaiting in this free workshop with local milliner Beverley Edmondson MillineryIn this workshop, ...
02/10/2026

Try your hand at straw plaiting in this free workshop with local milliner Beverley Edmondson Millinery

In this workshop, you’ll learn about the history of straw plaiting, plus learn some straw plaiting techniques. You’ll come away from this session with a small piece of plaited straw to take home.

There are limited spaces available so prior booking is required.

This workshop is supported by funding from Community Foundation for Surrey and South Street Trust.

Sat 10 October | 10am-1pm | free, prior booking required | Museum of Farnham

28/08/2026

What’s going on under all that scaffolding? 🤔

A team of highly skilled specialists have spent the last 20 months painstakingly restoring and conserving the museum’s home, Willmer House.

Join us on 14 September for Another Brick in the Wall, a special evening of expert talks, fascinating stories, historic images and insights into the conservation-led restoration of Willmer House.

This free event brings together specialists from across the heritage sector to share their knowledge and passion for preserving Farnham’s history.

Part of Heritage Open Days. Advance booking is required via Farnham Maltings website.

This vital restoration is made possible thanks to Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) funding from Arts Council England, with further generous support from: Waverley Borough Council, Farnham Town Council & Farnham & District Museum Society.

25/08/2026

Join us for a free printmaking activity exploring pattern, colour and design 🌀

Led by artist Helen Locke, participants can use pre-cut lino blocks to experiment with creating colourful, repeat patterns inspired by the museum’s collection.

This relaxed drop-in activity is suitable for all ages and abilities, with no experience needed. Whether you stay for a few minutes or longer, it’s a chance to enjoy making, experimenting and creating something unique to take home.

Supported by South Street Trust.

21/08/2026

Feeling a little under the weather? Perhaps there’s a cure in our Victorian medicine book.

This is one of three Victorian recipe books held by the museum. They were all written by two generations of women from the same family.

Each book contains not only medicinal cures but also recipes for things like mince pies, custard pudding and a sauce to dress a leg of mutton.

You can see this book plus other fascinating artefacts in the museum’s recently opened Health, Hygiene and Death in Victorian Farnham display.

05/08/2026

Keep your little monsters busy this summer holiday with Crafty Kids at the Museum of Farnham ✂️

Held every Wednesday and Thursday during August, children can try a new set of crafts every week.

Sessions are drop-in and we always do our best to accommodate everyone who wishes to take part.



Crafty Kids: Summer Holidays | Wednesdays and Thursdays | 10.30am - 12.30pm | £5 per child

06/07/2026

This crazy quilt, made over 130 years ago, wasn’t made for warmth - it was made to be admired.

Unlike traditional quilts with repeating patterns, each crazy quilt is unique, embedded with decorative stitches, words or motifs which tell the story of its maker and, in this case, the person it was gifted to.

It has been on display in the Museum’s craft gallery for many years and is now off display for a much needed rest.

For the next few months it will be carefully packaged and placed in the deep freeze to eradicate any insect pests. It will then be given a careful clean with a Museum grade vacuum cleaner before going back on display in time for our next exhibition ‘Handmade in Farnham’, opening Wednesday 30 September.

Submissions are still open for the Museum of Farnham’s upcoming exhibition, ‘Handmade in Farnham’, which will explore Fa...
02/07/2026

Submissions are still open for the Museum of Farnham’s upcoming exhibition, ‘Handmade in Farnham’, which will explore Farnham’s crafting heritage.

Whether it’s a finished piece, a cherished sketchbook, or the tools you use every day, we want to see it.

✨ Who can enter? Anyone aged 11+

✨ What can you submit? Ceramics, textiles, woodwork, metalwork and more

✨ Head to ‘Call for Works: Handmade in Farnham’ on our website for full submission guidelines

Entries are open until Monday 20 July 2026, 9am.

🔗 Visit the Farnham Maltings website to submit your entry, link in museum bio

20/06/2026

The Museum garden looks its most beautiful in June 🌸

The museum’s walled garden is one of the best kept secrets in Farnham. You can pop in during museum opening hours, Wednesday - Saturday, 10am-4pm

16/06/2026

Did you spot the Museum at Thread last weekend? 🧵

We were delighted to share a few items from our Georgian costume collection with festival goers, including a pair of tiny shoes from the 1790s and a floral dress from circa 1810-20.

These and more items will be appearing in our forthcoming exhibition Country Living: Fashion in Georgian Farnham, opening on Saturday 28 April 2027.

Address

38 West Street
Farnham
GU97DX

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441252715094

Website

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