feature haslemere
most attractive historic towns. Nestling in the south west corner of the county, Haslemere is surrounded by wooded hills, with Blackdown to the south and Gibbet Hill – where many notorious highwaymen were hanged - to the north. The town has a long and proud history. Pre-historic hunters once lived on Blackdown and there were Celtic and Romano-British settlements in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. Today, the oldest parts of the town are centred round the High Street, where buildings like Half Moon House and Tudor Cottage date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Haslemere is one of the gems of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty and its many shops, restaurants and cafes add to the town’s lively atmosphere. It is proud of its Charter granted by Richard II in 1394 and confirmed with a new Charter by Elizabeth I in 1596. This is celebrated with a May Bank Holiday Charter Fair every two years, alternating with the Haslemere
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surreymagazineonline.co.uk
WHASLEMERE
ith its tile-hung and timbered houses and cottages, Haslemere is surely one of Surrey’s
Festival, which this year takes place from 15th to 31st May 2015. Full details will appear at
www.haslemerefestival.org.uk soon. The opening of the London to
Portsmouth railway line in 1859 was an important landmark in the town’s history, as it enabled many people to come to enjoy the lovely countryside and healthy air. Amongst the famous folk settling in the area were Alfred, Lord Tennyson; George Bernard Shaw; and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote some of his Sherlock Holmes masterpieces here. Many fine houses were built in the 19th and early 20th centuries and because of easy access to London by rail, Haslemere became a fashionable place to live and continues to be a popular commuter town today. This welcoming town has maintained its traditional character and sense of individuality. The majority of shops are independently owned, some run by several generations of the same family. This rich variety of interesting and independent shops and boutiques reflect Haslemere’s traditional character and sense of individuality. There
The charming Surrey market town of Haslemere is the perfect place to shop, explore and dine.
are lovely shops selling clothes and other fashion items, along with independent florists, pet shops and sports shops to name just a few. If you feel like being pampered, you will be spoilt for choice and if you are looking for furniture, flooring or interior design, you won’t be disappointed. There are plenty of places to buy good food in and around the town, from the bakery, fishmonger or deli selling local and seasonal fare, to the excellent farm shops nearby. Don’t miss the monthly Farmer’s Market held in the High Street on the first Sunday of each month. When it comes to dining out, there is a good choice of eateries, all adding to the town’s vibrant atmosphere. Whether you are taking the family out for a meal, or meeting friends for coffee there is something for everybody. The town, and its surrounding villages, boast a superb range of traditional English pubs, fine restaurants, charming cafes and tea shops where local produce is often on the menu. There’s plenty more information at the
Visitor and Local Information Centre in Haslemere Museum, 78 High Street (open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm).
Photograph courtesy of Classic Car Show
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