THE Museum of Farnham has been praised as ‘one of the finest Georgian buildings outside of London’ by one of the UK’s foremost experts on the subject.

David McKinstry, a renowned specialist in Georgian architecture, recently visited the 18th century Grade I-listed Willmer House in West Street, where the museum has been based since 1961.

Museum of Farnham assistant curator Sophie Smith said Mr McKinstry was “very enthusiastic” about the building and described it as ‘National Trust’ standard.

Mr McKinstry is the London and South regional caseworker for the Georgian Group, which campaigns against the neglect, maltreatment and destruction of Georgian buildings, parks and gardens in England and Wales.

Sophie told The Herald: “He told us the museum is the finest example of an early Georgian merchant’s townhouse that he’s seen outside of London and that the level of preservation is very rare.

“It’s so lovely to have someone recognise how special the museum is and how rare in this day and age that it’s open for the public to enjoy for free. I think Farnham should feel very proud.”

Willmer House was built in 1718 for maltster and hop merchant John Thorne and is one of just two Grade I listed houses in Farnham - the other being The Grange in Castle Hill.

Over proceeding centuries it has served as a private residence, the Willmer House School for Young Ladies, the Thomas Hunter’s School for Boys, a dental practice, a Second World War billet for the Canadian Army and ultimately the town museum.

The building’s perfectly symmetrical frontage is a particularly striking feature, once described by the late great architectural critic Ian Nairn as “one of the finest cut brick facades in the country”.

Following Mr McKinstry’s accolades, the Museum of Farnham now plans to start giving visitors architectural tours on request. The first of these tours will be delivered for Heritage Open Days on September 10,11 and 12.

Anyone interested in a tour can book via the museum by calling 01252 715094.