IF you like history, comfort and great food then The Bush in Farnham is a must stay place.

This impressive town centre hotel has been welcoming guests through its doors since 1618 so is steeped in history yet has a contemporary feel and all the very latest comforts and amenities – a perfect blend of the old world and the new.

Situated in the heart of Farnham’s historic town centre, but with private parking and nestled within its own private gardens, the 4 star awarded AA hotel offers a calm environment from the hustle and bustle of the high street just yards away.

We were invited to stay and sample the hospitality of this friendly, independently-owned hotel. On arrival guests are welcomed by the classic ivy-clad original elevation which overlooks idyllic garden lawns and a tranquil terrace.

Inside the hotel boasts many original features, roaring fires and 95 comfortable and uniquely designed bedrooms. We had a first floor suite which was spacious, comfortable and luxurious boasting a walk in wardrobe, super king sized bed and quality furnishings and décor.

Before setting off to explore Farnham we wandered around this impressively expansive property which includes a recently refurbished meeting and event space with state-of-the-art conference facilities and studio space plus is a wonderful venue for weddings and parties.

The historic Garden restaurant and Oak Lounge are open for all day dining, serving a seasonal menu for both lunch and dinner as well as afternoon tea. We enjoyed a delicious dinner of steak and fish and chips cooked to perfection and served piping hot. The Garden Restaurant is also available for weekday breakfasts, private lunches and events.

But before our meal we worked up an appetite by wandering around Farnham. This market town in Surrey is around 36 miles southwest of London on the North Downs and close to the River Wey, a tributary of the Thames.

A charming mix of quirky independent shops and high street regulars even I enjoyed a little retail therapy with ‘her indoors’ in the spring sunshine.

The next day we climbed to the top of Castle Hill. With its Keep dating back over 900 years, Farnham Castle is one of the few remaining great medieval houses of England and a big tourist attraction.

The powerful and wealthy Bishops of Winchester built Farnham Castle and for hundreds of years it served as an administrative centre, fortress and accommodation, providing a convenient stopping place between London and Winchester.

After 1660, the Palace became the Bishop’s principal residence and many English monarchs, from King John to Queen Victoria, have visited or stayed at Farnham Castle.

The earliest evidence of human activity in the area is from the Neolithic period and, during the Roman period, tile making took place close to the town centre. The name Farnham is of Saxon origin and is generally agreed to mean “meadow where ferns grow”.

From at least 803, the settlement was under the control of the Bishops of Winchester and the castle was built as a residence for Bishop Henry de Blois in 1138. Henry VIII is thought to have spent part of his childhood at Farnham Castle.

In the early modern period, the town’s weekly corn market was said to be the second largest in England after London. Between 1600 and the 1970s, the area was a centre for growing hops and for the brewing industry. The town began to expand in the early Victorian period, stimulated in part by the opening of the railway in 1849 and the arrival of the army in nearby Aldershot in 1855.

The Farnham area has long been associated with the creative arts and with pottery making in particular. Other notable buildings in the parish worth a visit include the ruins of Waverley Abbey and the 18th century Willmer House, now the location of the Museum of Farnham.

With direct train links to London, cycling and walking routes to the Surrey Hills, close proximity to Farnborough airport and easy access to the M3, A3 and A31, the Bush is the perfect location to explore this beautiful part of England.

Room rates start from £95 based on two guests sharing a vintage snug room only.

For more information see https://farnhambush.com/

By Motoring Editor Steve Howarth