Farnham railway station serves the town of Farnham in Surrey, England. Train services are provided by South Western Railway, with direct trains running to Guildford, Aldershot, Alton, Woking, Surbiton, Clapham Junction and London Waterloo. Trains are formed of electric multiple units. Steam trains and freight trains are seen quite often, travelling from/to the Watercress Line and Holybourne oil terminal. There is a buffet in the booking hall selling newspapers, hot and cold beverages, confectionery, snacks, hot food and tobacco products. The station parking has been expanded with the addition of a dual level car park facility, including better lighting, security cameras and improved entrance.

History

The station was opened on 8 October 1849, on a route from Guildford via Ash Green Halt and Tongham. The line from Aldershot station opened in 1870 and was electrified on 4 July 1937. Passenger services via Ash Green Halt and Tongham ceased on the same date.

Farnham station in fiction

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson travelled by train to Farnham in The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist. Holmes said, "A beautiful neighbourhood and full of the most interesting associations. You remember, Watson, that it was near there that we took Archie Stamford, the forger." Watson recounted, "We had ascertained from the lady that she went down upon the Monday by the train which leaves Waterloo at 9.50, so I started early and caught the 9:13." He did this on Monday, 25 April 1895. Sherlock Holmes, as a young boy, also lived in the Farnham area with his aunt and uncle in Andrew Lane's Young Sherlock Holmes series of books. The station features prominently as Holmes, his friend, and his tutor often travel by train to London Waterloo when they are going to visit Holmes's brother Mycroft.

Services

All services at Farnham are operated by South Western Railway using EMUs. The typical off-peak service in trains per hour is: The station is also served by two early morning services to London Waterloo that run via Ascot and Staines instead of Woking. On Sundays, the service to Guildford do not run and the services between London Waterloo and Alton are reduced to hourly.

Buses

Stagecoach Buses routes 5; 17; 18; 19; and 46 serve the station.