HERITAGE Open Days in Farnham, taking place this year from September 8 to 11, is one of the highlights of the town’s year.

Presented by the Farnham Society with support from the town council, it offers a varied mix of interesting properties opened for the occasion, exhibitions, and walks guided by experts, with many fascinating buildings on show.

The event attracts many welcome visitors to Farnham and organisers choose a different theme each year, so there are always lots of new things to see.

Last year’s focus on brewing and the history of hop growing was hailed a runaway success, and this time it is ‘Art and Craft in Farnham’.

Farnham is now officially known as a craft town – the little 1870s’ art school has grown into a fully fledged university, the Victorian Farnham Pottery is reborn as a ceramic centre of excellence, and the Crafts Study Centre at the University for the Creative Arts takes centre stage.

Public art includes a major new feature in the town centre, a large bronze statue of William Cobbett on his horse, to be unveiled by Dame Penelope Keith on September 5.

An exhibition tracing the history of pottery making is on show at the Museum of Farnham, and the Farnham Pottery in Wrecclesham is displaying its unique buildings, purpose built by potters for use by potters.

This year Farnham’s Heritage Open Days link with the Royal Institute of British Architects and selected buildings badged with the ‘Love Architecture’ logo offer tours, talks and architectural information.

The Love Architecture properties are the Museum of Farnham, Farnham Pottery, and three examples of Farnham’s modern architectural heritage, the new Aldridge Theatre at Frensham Heights School, the pavilions by architect Ptolemy Dean at St Andrew’s Church, and the Crafts Study Centre at UCA.

Some special events, which do not need advance booking, include:

• Tea and tours at Farnham Castle, Thursday, September 8, 1pm to 5pm. Free guided tours, and teas which must be booked in advance (call 01252 721194 or email [email protected]) Full afternoon tea costs £15 per person or tea with scones and cream £7 per person. The castle keep and history exhibition are also open.

• ‘From wells to mains, the story of Farnham’s water supplies’, a walk on Friday, September 9, 2.30pm. Meet at the church of St Thomas-on-the Bourne in Frensham Road.

• ‘A pot of paint in the public’s face’, Saturday, September 10, 2pm and 3.30pm, two performances by Farnham Rep in the Culver Room at Farnham library, 28 West Street.

• Morris dancers, Saturday, September 10, 11.45am in Lion and Lamb Yard and 1.30pm outside the Hop Blossom pub, Long Garden Walk.

• A walk in Farnham Park with archaeologist David Graham on Sunday, September 18 (not in the HODs period), at 2pm.

• Paintings and drawings of the local area, by Michael Blower FRIBA, AADipl, FRSA. Saturday, September 10 to Saturday, September 17, in the Long Kiln Room at Farnham Maltings. A selection of the huge collection of paintings and drawings amassed over the course of 60 years by retired architect Michael Blower of the Farnham practice Stedman Blower.

• ‘Recrafting Farnham – cultivating considered placemaking’ exhibition open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 3pm at The Hive, Woolmead, East Street. Following well-attended public consultation sessions, architectural professionals gather together to develop ideas leading towards a workable masterplan for Farnham.

For full details of all events and building openings, look for the Heritage Open Days brochure online www.farnhamsociety.org.uk, www.farnham.gov.uk, www.farnhamtrust.org.uk, or pick up a paper copy of the brochure from the council offices in South Street, and other public buildings in the town.