Farnham is a quiet historic market town in Surrey, England. It has a charming old town center with a castle and Georgian buildings. It's ideal for those wanting a slower pace with modern amenities and good transport links nearby.
British pub fare is common, plus Italian, Indian, and Thai options. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are increasingly offered. Late-night choices are limited to takeaways and some pubs.
Nightlife centers on pubs and a few bars with a relaxed vibe. There's little clubbing scene.
Good coffee scene with several independent cafes and chains offering quality brews.
Tipping is optional but appreciated. 10-12.5% service charge may apply in restaurants, otherwise 10% tip is common for good service. Taxi tips are rounding up or about 10%.
SIM cards are sold at high street phone shops like Vodafone, EE, and O2, plus supermarkets. eSIMs are widely available. No ID usually needed for pay-as-you-go.
Streets are generally clean with regular waste collection and recycling services.
Limited 24/7 services. Some supermarkets have extended hours but few truly 24/7 shops or pharmacies.
Waitrose, Sainsbury's, and Tesco are the main supermarkets. Some international products are available. There's also a weekly market and independent shops.
Most shops, restaurants, and services prefer card payments. Cash is rarely needed for daily expenses.
ATMs from Barclays, Lloyds, and NatWest are on the high street. Fees depend on your bank but generally are free at your own bank's ATM.
Local schools teach primarily in English. International schools are not in Farnham but exist in wider Surrey.
Small and growing remote worker scene without major meetups or co-living spaces.
Parks like Farnham Park and Gostrey Meadow offer plenty of green space for walking and running.
Popular running spots include Farnham Park and River Wey trails. Running groups are active.
Several gyms offer classes, pools, and fitness facilities.
Tennis courts at Farnham Lawn Tennis Club and local council facilities.
Padel courts are rare and found mostly in wider Surrey.
Multiple studios offer various yoga styles with English-speaking instructors.
Clubs for Karate, Taekwondo, boxing, and kickboxing exist with English-speaking instructors.
No ski resorts nearby. Dry ski slopes in Aldershot or Southampton offer artificial surfaces.
Kayaking and paddleboarding are available on the River Wey nearby.
Surf breaks on the south coast, 1.5 hours away, offer small waves mainly for beginners.
No local diving. Coastal sites require travel and water visibility varies.
Farnham Hospital offers community care, with Royal Surrey County Hospital nearby for emergencies. NHS public healthcare is standard. Pharmacies like Boots operate during normal hours. English-speaking staff are available.
Tap water is safe to drink directly.
Farnham has playgrounds and kid-friendly cafés. Attractions like Farnham Castle and Alice Holt Forest keep families busy.
Generally accepting with strong legal protections. Safe spaces are in mainstream venues. Larger pride events are nearby in bigger cities.
Many pubs and cafes allow dogs. Farnham Park is popular for dog walking, and vet services are available.
Power supply is very reliable with rare, short outages.
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