A Day Out In Haslemere
Our suggested day out in Haslemere will allow you to walk around this historic market town with its timbered and tile-hung houses and cottages. You can also enjoy a trip out to the surrounding countryside and take in the sights and scents of a charming walk through field, farm and woodland just off Haslemere High Street!
Morning
Why not start your morning with a visit to Haslemere Museum (open Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am to 4.30pm). This fascinating museum was founded in 1888 by the renowned surgeon Sir Jonathan Hutchinson and moved to its present site on the High Street in 1926, where it has become a popular landmark. A variety of remarkable and rare collections are on display featuring magnificent specimens from the animal kingdom, fossils and plants and also artefacts from Ancient Civilisations and Stone Age Britain. Look out for Arthur the Bear and the Egyptian Mummy! Stay and make the most of your time here by enjoying the beautiful gardens which overlook National Trust land and include ponds and a gazebo – look out for the fully operational beehive too!
The oldest part of the town is centred around the High Street, where there are several buildings dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. These include Half Moon House, one of the town’s oldest buildings, the Town Hall built in 1814 and originally had open arches on the ground floor for market stallholders, Tudor Cottage next to the Georgian House Hotel and the three-gabled Lloyds Pharmacy building.
Other sites to see whilst walking around the town centre include the Penfold Post Box located under the chestnut tree next to the Georgian House Hotel. This type of green letter box was in use in 1866 and was designed by local architect, John Penfold. The Town House with its Queen Anne facade, opposite the museum, was once owned by General Oglethrope, founder of the American colony of Georgia and a member of Parliament from 1722 to 1754.
Take a stroll to St Bartholomew’s Church rebuilt in 1870 on the site of a much older building dating back to at least the 13th century. The imposing interior includes a memorial window to Alfred Lord Tennysons, the poet laureate to Queen Victoria who lived on Black Down near Haslemere for nearly 30 years.
Lunch
Why not finish your morning by browsing the interesting independent and specialist shops which keep Haslemere vibrant and individual before stopping for lunch in a café, pub or restaurant!
Afternoon
Spend the afternoon enjoying the great outdoors and take in the sights and scents of Swan Barn Farm Walk. This is a charming walk through field, farm and woodland where you can see ancient restored orchards, ponds, streams and hedgerows full of wildlife. Located just off Haslemere High Street, from the end of Well Lane – don’t miss the Old Town Well!
And to round off the walk, why not treat yourself to a cup of tea and a slice of delicious cake in one of the many cafes, giving you the opportunity to take a well deserved break!
A Day Out in the Historic Market Town of Haslemere (pdf file)