The Farnham Fix - Monday 18 May 2026

Happy Monday, Farnham.

Hope you made it to Gostrey Meadow yesterday for the Sustainability Festival — if not, you missed 50+ stalls, free sourdough tips and vibroacoustic sound healing. (We didn't know what that was either. Apparently it involves vibrations and a very relaxed face.)

Right then. Let's get into this week.

The Waverley Lane housing saga just took another step forward. Last Wednesday (13 May), planning officers at Waverley Borough Council recommended approval for the detailed design of 146 new homes off Waverley Lane — the scheme that's been fought over for eight years.

This isn't about whether the homes get built. That battle was lost when a planning inspector approved the development on appeal in 2023, and a High Court challenge by Farnham Town Council failed in 2024. The question now is what the development actually looks like.

The committee had already deferred a decision back in March after councillors raised concerns about road safety, the design of the homes, and the location of a sewage pumping station near neighbouring properties. Residents accused the developer, Miller Wates, of "heritage washing" — trying to dress the scheme up as something more rural and village-like than it actually is.

The development will include 54 affordable homes, two play areas, and a mix of two and three-storey properties. Miller Homes is already marketing the site as "Waverley Gardens" with homes expected on sale this summer. If you live near Waverley Lane, the diggers are not going away.

Farnham's Walking Festival runs until 31 May. There are 33 walks across three weeks, led by nine different groups including the Farnham Ramblers, Surrey Hills Society, Farnham Folklore Society and even the Hive Helpers. That's a lot of options. Too many, really, if you're the kind of person who normally considers a walk to the car park sufficient exercise for one day.

So here's the cheat sheet — four walks for four types of Farnham resident, all free.

If you just want a gentle stroll and a chat: The Farnham History Walking Tour (Sunday 24 May, 10.15am) is two miles around town, starting from the Town Hall — flat, easy and you'll learn things about buildings you've walked past a thousand times. Or try the Folk Around Farnham walk on Saturday 16 May at 4pm — just 2.5 miles from Waggon Yard with the Farnham Folklore Society. Perfect if "walking festival" sounds a bit intense.

If you've got kids who need tiring out: Rowhill's Magical Trail (Sunday 10 May, 2pm) is a one-mile family event at Rowhill Nature Reserve. Short, flat, things to spot. The kind of walk where children think they're on an adventure and parents get an hour of relative peace.

If you actually want a proper hike: The North Downs Way from Farnham to Guildford (Friday 15 May, 10am) is 12 miles and rated strenuous — led by the Surrey Hills Society, starting from Farnham station. If that's not enough, there's a 15-miler from South Warnborough on Saturday 16 May at 9.30am. Bring water, decent shoes and probably lunch.

If you want to learn something: Walking the Farnham Bee Trail (Wednesday 20 May, 2pm) is four miles with the Hive Helpers, starting from St Andrew's Church. Or try The Trees of Farnham Park (Tuesday 26 May, 1pm) — a three-mile guided tree walk led by Waverley Borough Council. That one needs booking: email [email protected].

And if you just want a pub at the end: The Evening Pub Walk from Tilford Green (Tuesday 26 May, 6.45pm) is two miles, starts at the village green, and — well, the name says it all.

The full programme — with meeting points, difficulty levels and walk leaders — is at farnham.gov.uk/walkingfestival. All walks are free, most need no booking. You've got two weeks left. No excuses.

When Sally Dickson isn't attending planning meetings, she's running a 12-planet empire.

Dickson was elected to the new West Surrey Council on 7 May, winning one of two Farnham North seats for the Farnham Residents group. She's also a Farnham town councillor and a digital marketing manager. But under her pen name Sally Ann Melia, she's published five books in Dodecahedral — a young adult sci-fi series featuring cyborgs, interplanetary warfare and a kidnapped prince.

She describes the series as "more like Star Wars than The Martian." The books explore bravery, loyalty and friendship through characters flung into extraordinary situations. The sixth and final book is on the way.

Not every councillor can say their side hustle involves overthrowing galactic empires. Farnham North picked a good one.

The Plough on West Street closed in March. If you'd been there for a Friday night with the live music cranked up and a decent pint in hand, you'd have struggled to imagine it. But the doors are shut, the future's uncertain, and another familiar name has gone quiet.

It's easy to read that and think Farnham's pubs are in trouble. The reality is more complicated. Rising business rates, energy costs, staffing shortages and changing drinking habits are putting pressure on pubs everywhere — Farnham is no exception. Nationally, the UK is losing pubs at a rate of around two a day.

But pubs in a town like Farnham aren't just places to drink. They're where you bump into someone you haven't seen in months. Where the football's on but nobody minds if you're not watching. Where first dates happen and retirement parties end up. Lose them and you lose something that no amount of new-build flats or coffee chains can replace.

So it matters that several Farnham pubs aren't just surviving — they're adapting, reinvesting and finding new ways to bring people through the door.

The Third Monkey opened last summer in the old Liberal Club on South Street and has quietly become one of the most talked-about spots in town. There's a gastropub downstairs, a restaurant upstairs, a rooftop cocktail terrace with weekend DJs, and an on-site butchery. Wednesday is pie night. Surrey Live called the rooftop terrace a "little springtime gem."

The Hop Blossom on Long Garden Walk is the no-fuss local that every town needs — real ales, an open fire in winter, outside tables in summer, and absolutely no gimmicks. It's been doing the same thing well for years and shows no sign of stopping.

The Teller's Arms on The Borough has had a full refurbishment and is now a Young's pub with boutique rooms upstairs, a rooftop terrace, and a summer spritz menu. They'll be showing every game of the 2026 World Cup this summer.

The Castle on Castle Street is the quiet achiever — an award-winning gastropub with a courtyard garden, private dining rooms, and a daily-changing specials board. If you haven't been in a while, it's worth another look.

And out in Tilford, the Duke of Cambridge has one of the best beer gardens in Surrey — complete with a Flights of Fantasy playground for kids and a separate garden bar and grill. If you're doing the Walking Festival and need somewhere to collapse afterwards with a cold drink, this is the one.

The pressures facing pubs aren't going away. But Farnham still has places worth walking to, sitting in, and coming back to. Go support the ones that are still here.

🏛️ Annual Town Meeting — Tuesday 20 May Farnham Town Hall, South Street · Open to all Farnham electors · Free This is your one chance a year to hear directly from the councillors who lead on the Town Council's work — and to ask them anything. What's happening with local services? Where's the money going? What's planned for the year ahead? It's not a spectator sport. Turn up, ask a question, make your voice count.

🍷 Serina Wine Club — Thursday 21 May, 7pm Serina Bar & Grill, The Borough · Tickets via serina-farnham.co.uk A guided wine tasting and food pairing evening at one of Farnham's newer arrivals on The Borough. If you've walked past Serina and wondered what it's like inside, this is a good excuse to find out. Expect expertly paired wines, small plates, and a relaxed midweek evening that feels like a proper treat.

🎤 Lucy Spraggan at Farnham Maltings — Friday 23 May, 7pm Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square · Tickets via farnhammaltings.com The singer-songwriter first known from X Factor has built a devoted live following since, with honest, funny, emotionally raw performances. Her Maltings show is part of a new summer season at the venue. If you like storytelling folk-pop with a bit of edge, this is your Friday night sorted.

🌸 Open Gardens in Churt — Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 May Churt, GU10 2QE · In aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Six beautiful private gardens and woodland open their gates for one weekend only, all raising money for the local hospice. Expect everything from manicured borders to wildflower meadows and peaceful woodland paths. A bank holiday weekend afternoon well spent — and every penny goes to a cause that touches families across Farnham and the surrounding area.

🎵 Music in the Meadow — Saturday 31 May, 3pm–5pm Gostrey Meadow, South Street · Free The first of the summer's free outdoor concerts in Gostrey Meadow. Bring a blanket, a picnic and something cold to drink — or grab refreshments from the charity tea stand. The Farnham Ramblers will have a stall too, so if the Walking Festival has inspired you to keep going, this is where to sign up.

🥾 Farnham Walking Festival — Running now until 31 May Various locations · All walks free · Full programme at farnham.gov.uk/walkingfestival Over 30 guided walks across three weeks, led by expert volunteers from the Farnham Ramblers, Surrey Hills Society, Farnham Folklore Society and more. Everything from gentle two-mile town strolls to a 15-mile beast through the Hampshire countryside. See our no-excuses guide above for where to start.

🎨 New Ashgate Gallery: The Art of Place — Until 27 June New Ashgate Gallery, Waggon Yard · Tue–Sat, 10am–5pm · Free entry An exhibition of original prints and works on paper by the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, exploring how artists interpret and respond to landscape and place. One of the quieter cultural gems in Farnham — the kind of gallery you pop into for ten minutes and emerge from forty-five minutes later wondering where the time went.

🎖️ British Art Medal Society Student Medal Project — Until 6 June New Ashgate Gallery, Waggon Yard · Tue–Sat, 10am–5pm · Free entry Now in its 33rd year, this nationally recognised exhibition showcases small two-sided bronze sculptures designed to be held in your hand. Students from leading UK art schools respond to themes of identity, climate and mythology through the ancient lost-wax casting process. A quiet, beautiful show in one of Farnham's best-kept-secret galleries.

🇩🇪 Farnham-Andernach 35th Anniversary Concert — Thursday 5 June, 7pm Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square · Tickets on sale now A special concert celebrating 35 years of twinning between Farnham and Andernach, Germany. The award-winning Stadtorchester Andernach travels over to perform alongside the internationally acclaimed Farnham Youth Choir. It's a genuine cultural exchange — the kind of thing that reminds you Farnham's connections stretch further than the A31.

🎉 Phyllis Tuckwell Charity Summer Ball — Thursday 4 June The Bush Hotel, The Borough · Tickets via pth.org.uk Welcome drinks, a four-course dinner, guest speaker, raffle, auction, live singer and DJ — all in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell, the hospice that supports families across Farnham, Waverley and beyond. The Bush Hotel is one of the grandest settings in town for a night out. Black tie optional, good cause guaranteed.

Last week we asked: Farnham was named England's first World Craft Town in which year? A) 2016 B) 2018 C) 2020 D) 2022

The answer is C — 2020. And it was well earned. Farnham's craft heritage runs deep — from the University for the Creative Arts to the Maltings' festivals, New Ashgate Gallery, and dozens of independent makers and studios across town. The World Crafts Council recognised all of it in 2020, making Farnham the first town in England to carry the title. Walk down any street here and you can see why.

This week's question:

William Cobbett was born in a Farnham pub in 1763 and went on to found something still used in Parliament today. What was it?

A) The House of Commons library B) Hansard — the official record of Parliamentary debates C) The Parliamentary Petition system D) The Speaker's ceremonial role

Hit reply with your answer. We'll reveal it next week.

Sponsored by

Running a gym is hard enough without the numbers keeping you up at night. FitIntel works exclusively with independent gym operators and fitness franchisees across the UK to bring order to the books — so you can focus on what you're good at.

If you're a gym owner and your accounts feel like a workout in themselves, FitIntel can help.

Know someone who'd enjoy The Fix? Forward this email and they can sign up free at newsletter.thefarnhamfix.co.uk.

Got a tip, a correction, or just want to say hello? Reply to this email — it comes straight to us at [email protected].

See you next Monday.

— The Fix

Not subscribed yet? Forward this to someone who should be. They can sign up free at newsletter.thefarnhamfix.co.uk.