Harold Falkner’s Farnham: Exploring the Great Austins Conservation Area
As part of the Farnham Society’s 2025 Heritage Open Days festival, a guided architectural tour of the Great Austins conservation area took place on Sunday 14 September. The event proved to be a resounding success, with demand far exceeding capacity — a testament to the enduring interest in Farnham’s rich architectural heritage.
Led by Chris Bennie, with support from Edward Emblem, the walk offered participants a rare opportunity to explore the distinctive homes designed by Harold Falkner, alongside other notable properties within the Great Austins and Cobbetts Park developments. The tour highlighted the thoughtful layout of this garden suburb and traced the evolution of the Arts & Crafts style through the early 20th century and beyond.

Chris shared fascinating insights into Falkner’s collaborations — not only with Charles Borelli, but also with other local architects and the renowned garden designer Gertrude Jekyll. Attendees were especially fortunate to be granted access to several private driveways, allowing for closer appreciation of architectural details that are usually hidden from public view.
Given the overwhelming interest, we hope to offer similar events in the future to further celebrate Farnham’s architectural treasures.


Sincere thanks to Chris Bennie, the generous homeowners who welcomed us onto their properties, the Heritage Open Days committee, and all those who attended.