The Museum of Farnham is situated in Willmer House, a Grade I listed building of national significance. Built in 1718 for John Thorne, a local hop merchant, Willmer House is a very rare building because the façade is built entirely of ‘gauged brickwork’.

Gauged brickwork was, and still is, one of the most expensive materials and building methods. The process involved every single brick being cut down and rubbed flat by hand and this work would have all been done on site. It is a clear demonstration of the wealth that hop-growing brought to the town in the 18th century and today, there are probably only 10 to 20 buildings of this type left in the United Kingdom.

The local authority purchased the building in 1961 at a reduced price on the basis that Willmer House would be used as a museum for the people of Farnham. However, whilst the building has continued to amaze visitors young and old with stories from Farnham's past, the building has started to show signs of its age.