Place Farnham Station code FNH DfT category C2 Number of platforms 2 | Grid reference SU844465 Managed by South West Trains 2011/12 1.575 million | |
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Address Farnham GU9 8AD, United Kingdom Similar Bentley (Hampshire) railway st, Aldershot railway station, Ash railway station, Haslemere railway station, Fleet railway station | ||
Farnham railway station serves the town of Farnham in Surrey, England.
Contents
Train services are provided by South West Trains, with direct trains running to Aldershot, Alton, Woking, Surbiton, Clapham Junction and London Waterloo.
Trains are formed of modern 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.
History
The station was opened on 8 October 1849, on a route from Guildford via Ash Green 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.
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. Holmes himself travelled to Farnham the next day, returning to Baker Street "late in the evening with a cut lip and a discoloured lump upon his forehead, besides a general air of dissipation which would have made his own person the fitting object of a Scotland Yard investigation".
Sherlock Holmes, as a young boy, also lives in the Farnham area with his aunt and uncle in Andrew Lane's 'Young Sherlock Holmes' series of books. The station features prominently as Sherlock, his friend, and his tutor often travel by train to London Waterloo when they are going to visit Sherlock's brother Mycroft Holmes.
Services
The typical off-peak service (Monday to Saturday) from the station is of two trains per hour to London Waterloo, and two per hour to Alton.
Buses
Stagecoach Buses routes 5; 17; 18; 19; and 46 serve the station.