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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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