Contemporary Craft in a Historic Town
The New Ashgate Gallery occupies a handsome Georgian building on Lower Church Lane in the heart of Farnham, one of Surrey’s most attractive market towns. Founded in 1971 as a charitable trust, it has grown into one of the leading contemporary craft galleries in the south of England, with a reputation for championing high–quality work across ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles, woodwork and fine art.
The gallery mounts around eight curated exhibitions a year, each featuring a carefully selected group of makers whose work balances technical excellence with creative ambition. Alongside these changing shows, a permanent retail space offers original, hand–made pieces at accessible price points – from £20 greetings cards to £2,000 sculptural ceramics.
Farnham’s Craft Heritage
Farnham has a deep connection to the crafts movement. The University for the Creative Arts (formerly the West Surrey College of Art and Design) has trained generations of makers, and many have chosen to remain in the area, creating a critical mass of studio practitioners. The New Ashgate Gallery sits at the centre of this ecosystem, providing exhibition opportunities, professional development and public visibility for artists at every stage of their careers.
Regular events include artist talks, demonstration days, family workshops and an annual Christmas selling exhibition that draws collectors from across the region. The gallery receives no regular public funding, relying instead on sales commissions, memberships and donations – a model that keeps it closely attuned to its audience and makers alike.
