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Welcome to Farnham’s Norman Castle and Bishop’s Palace
Farnham Castle’s Key Dates
Some of the dates below are approximations, given where exact historical records are currently unavailable
1138
c1200
A stone shell wall is built around the motte, also a Great Hall, kitchen and bishop's private apartment (camera)
1380
Hugh Herland adds scissor beam roof to bishop's camera for Bishop William Wykeham
1475
Bishop William Waynflete adds brick entrance tower, soon to be extended by Bishop Fox
1470 - 1520
Tudor wing is added but the exact date is currently unknown
1609
Fire demolishes the castle stables when James I is in residence
1660
Civil War sees Castle change hands from Cromwell's forces to the King's, and back again to the Parliamentarians
1781
Bishop George Morley begins major refurbishment including a new chapel
1850
Bishop Charles Sumner makes changes to the gateway and establishes a garden in the Keep
1891
Bishop Anthony Thorold uses his own money to update and modernise facilities at the castle
1927
Farnham Castle and Palace becomes part of the new diocese of Guildford
Bishop Henry of Blois is said to have built the first stone Keep, but it may have been constructed earlier
1155
King Henry II demolishes this initial Keep
1931
Amy Anderson raises money to save the castle and refurbish and repair it
Farnham Castle becomes the Centre for International Briefing & no longer a bishop's residence
Bishop of Guildford, John Grieg moves in following renovations
1933
1962
1642
Bishop Brownlow North begins new, extensive renovations and plants three Lebanon cedars
An historic site to visit and enjoy, and an award-winning wedding venue and conference centre
Today
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