Pictures of Haslemere

in the county of Surrey

Haslemere Pictures Haslemere Hotels Nearby Towns Nearby Attractions Haslemere Facts Haslemere Forum Haslemere Map Sponsor Registration Add Pictures Add town to favourites

About Haslemere

This is an attractive old town was granted a market charter by Richard II in 1394. Later Queen Elizabeth I confirmed the town a borough (a status which was lost on the introduction of the Reform Act of 1832), she further re-issued a new charter giving market rights, and the right to hold two annual fairs. Today, Haslemere continues to celebrate Elizabeth's charter of 1596 by holding a biennial Charter Fair in the High Street.

The fortunes of the area were secured in the 18th and 19th centuries from spinning, weaving and basket making. In the middle of the 19th century the town benefited from the advancement of the railways which brought newcomers who found it a pleasant place to live. Interestingly, by the end of the century Haslemere had its own artist's colony, painters were drawn to what was then a charming hamlet in a visually beautiful setting.

Haslemere has several literary associations, in 1871 George Elliot lived in a cottage at nearby Shottermill. It was here that she wrote much of her famous novel Middlemarch. The countryside fringing the town featured in the works of Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle who resided at Undershaw, a lovely house which is now a hotel and restaurant. The town is also proud of its links with Sir Robert Hunter, one of the original founder members of the National Trust. Sir Robert lived in Haslemere from 1883 until his death in 1913, he was chairman of the trust for eighteen years.

There are several noted buildings in the town, of these the Old Town Hall which contains a copy of Queen Elizabeth's charter, dominates the far end of the bustling High Street. St. Bartholomew's church, is a handsome church building of 1871 and stands where a church has stood ever since the 14th century. The church is well worth seeing, amongst its treasures is a window dedicated to the poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, this depicts Sir Galahad at the chapel where he saw a vision of the Holy Grail, thus alluding to Tennyson's "Idylls of the King" written in 1869.

Haslemere offers visitors a multiple choice of things to do. An interesting museum housed in a lovely Georgian building, built above earlier foundations, offers the opportunity to explore through a series of exhibits the regions geological, social and natural history. For the very energetic there is swimming at Herons Fitness Centre, and places of interest include Shulbrede Priory, The Devil's Punch Bowl, Frensham Ponds and Hindhead Common, managed by the National Trust.

The town which features an attractive, wide High Street with small independent shops, is surrounded by several delightful villages including: Alfold, Chiddingfold, Cranleigh and Dunsfold. Other villages found in the tranquil countryside are - Whitley, Thursley and Grayswood.

Visitors wishing to stay will find a pleasing choice of hotel accommodation and plenty of inns and restaurants.

Planning a visit to Haslemere?
Please support the Pictures of England website by booking your Haslemere hotels & accommodation through this site.

Add town to favourites

History of Haslemere

Recommended towns & villages near Haslemere

	Midhurst (7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction S) Popular small market resort town whose beautiful 19th-century church stands close to the banks of the River Rother, on which the town stands... Information | Pictures (16) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Petworth (8.5 miles, 13.6 km, direction SE) Petworth is an atmospheric place, it has a wealth of historic visitor attractions nearby and its close proximity to the attractive town of Chichester and its famous harbour... Information | Pictures (23) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Farnham (9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction NW) It was King Caedwalla of Wessex who, in 688 bestowed the Manor of Farnham on the Bishop's of Winchester... Information | Pictures (32) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Fittleworth (10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction SE) This picturesque little village is dominated by the Church of St.Mary, which stands proudly on top of a hill... Information | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	South Harting (11.2 miles, 17.9 km, direction SW) The main village street is thronged with exquisite old properties, some of brick, some tile hung, and some are built of Sussex clunch - a beautiful building material of soft limestone... Information | Pictures (3) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages

Recommended attractions near Haslemere

	Devils Punchbowl (1.9 miles, 3.0 km, direction NW) The Devils Punchbowl is situated in the east of Hindhead, the whole area is the largest open space in surrey. It is the gateway..... Information | Pictures (3) | Hotels
	The Witley Centre (5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction NE) Countryside visitor and education centre... Information | Hotels
	Cowdray House (6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction S) Today we associate Cowdray with the famous Polo Club, but the stark ruins sitting above the genteel town of Midhurst stand..... Information | Pictures (20) | Hotels
	Winkworth Arboretum (7.7 miles, 12.5 km, direction NE) The magnificent landscape of Winkworth was begun in 1937 when Dr.Wilfred Fox took the opportunity to acquire a parcel of land..... Information | Pictures (16) | Hotels
	Petworth House & Park (8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction SE) This fantastic mansion basks in the glory of grounds created by Capability Brown, they are said to be his true "masterpiece"..... Information | Pictures (32) | Hotels

Hotels & Accommodation in Haslemere

Haslemere Hotels  Haslemere Cottages  Haslemere Bed & Breakfast

	Georgian House Hotel & Spa Haslemere, Surrey, England (0.2 miles, 0.2 km) In large private gardens, the central the Georgian House Hotel & Spa has an indoor pool and a gym, just off the A3. There is free ample parking and free Wi-Fi. Guests have free access to the hotel's ... More info and book online..  Price from £51.00
	Lythe Hill Hotel And Spa Haslemere, Surrey, England (1.4 miles, 2.2 km, direction E) This luxury country-house hotel is set in the picturesque Surrey Hills and has an AA Rosette restaurant and an excellent spa with swimming pool.... More info and book online..  Price from £50.00
	The Devil's Punchbowl Hotel Hindhead, Surrey, England (1.9 miles, 3.0 km, direction NW) Situated in the picturesque village of Hindhead, The Devil’s Punchbowl Hotel is opposite the namesake natural amphitheatre. Full of history, this location has inspired many writers and appears in lo... More info and book online..  Price from £40.00
	The Swan Inn Chiddingfold, Surrey, England (3.8 miles, 6.2 km, direction E) The Swan Inn is a small, privately owned boutique hotel with an AA Rosette restaurant serving carefully sourced seasonal food. It is set on the borders of Surrey and West Sussex.... More info and book online..  Price from £100.00
	The Crown Inn Chiddingfold, Surrey, England (3.8 miles, 6.2 km, direction E) Rated a 5-star inn by the AA, the 600-year-old Crown Inn combines traditional character with modern room luxuries, including flat-screen TVs and DVD players.... More info and book online..  Price from £100.00

Nearby travel help