our story
A beautiful place to eat, relax and celebrate
Nestled alongside The Packhouse in Runfold, just outside Farnham, The Palm House is a light-filled restaurant and bar surrounded by greenery, character and plenty to explore.
From relaxed breakfasts and lunches to afternoon tea, special occasions and private events, we’re a place to slow down, meet friends and enjoy good food in a beautiful setting.
MORE THAN JUST A RESTAURANT
SHOP - DINE - RELAX
The Palm House is part of a much bigger destination.
Our restaurant sits within the same unique site as The Packhouse, home to over 60 independent businesses selling furniture, interiors, vintage and pre-loved treasures, fashion and gifts.
There’s also The Coffee House, offering a more relaxed place to enjoy coffee, cake, ice cream and drinks outdoors by the pond.
So whether you’re joining us for lunch, browsing the shops or settling into one of our garden pods, there’s plenty of reason to make a day of your visit.
A restaurant with character
The Palm House combines the atmosphere of a traditional restaurant with the distinctive character of its historic surroundings.
Inside, the high ceilings, glass, natural light and abundance of greenery create a relaxed setting for everything from a morning coffee to a long lunch or afternoon tea.
Outside, our courtyard and garden pods offer a different way to enjoy your visit, surrounded by planting and tucked away from the bustle.
Good food, good company
Our menu is designed for relaxed dining, with something for different occasions throughout the day.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast, meet friends for lunch, settle in for afternoon tea or join us for a special celebration.
We also offer vegan and gluten-free options, with our team happy to help with dietary requirements.
THE OWNER
Alison Hougham
Owner of The Palm House Restaurant & The Packhouse Store
Alison has owned The Packhouse since 2003, initially renting the building to external businesses. She always dreamed of one day creating her own restaurant within its incredible space, and The Palm House was the result.
With a varied career, including six years as a Firefighter with Surrey Fire & Rescue Service, Alison has always enjoyed creating unique places and experiences.
The Palm House was designed to complement The Packhouse, and if you've enjoyed discovering both, you may also like Alison's Treasured Retreats — unique holiday homes in Scotland, Devon and Italy.
Discover Treasured Retreats → www.treasured-retreats.com
JOIN Our Team
Join our small team. Are you passionate about delivering exceptional dining experiences? Send your CV to careers@palm-house.co.uk
Get the look
Love the Palm House look? You can recreate it at home.
Our interiors are a mix of greenery and carefully chosen accessories — many sourced from The Packhouse next door.
Our colours:
Dark Blue — Dock Blue
Light Grey — Inox
Both are Little Greene colours, mixed by Johnstone’s Paints and available from Brewers.
The wood panelling uses durable emulsion, while the upper walls use standard emulsion, creating the subtle difference in finish and colour.
Our Location
Find us near Farnham
The Palm House is located at The Packhouse, Hewett's Kilns, Tongham Road, Runfold, Farnham, Surrey GU10 1PJ, just outside Farnham and close to the Surrey Hills.
We’re easily reached from Farnham, Guildford and the surrounding Surrey area, with free on-site parking available for visitors.