Physical investigation of the structure was conducted on site, prior to any proposed intervention. This aspect of the investigation aimed at elucidating significant details regarding fabric, function, or the elements, methods/order of construction and development. Handwritten descriptive notes were produced on-site to record the findings of the physical investigation of the structure. Drawings produced as part of this work were digitised from architectural drawings Lanpro built heritage specialists annotated these drawings while undertaking the historic building survey and used this data to produce floor plans and photograph direction plans as required. A detailed photograph record of the Great Western Hotel was made during the investigation to produce a photographic record of the building including general and oblique views, to give an overall impression of its appearance and setting. The pub was originally constructed toward the end of the 19th century. Although various works were undertaken to the fabric of the pub, there are four significant phases of construction and modification which have been identified through an analysis of historic mapping and through the on-site building recording survey. These are: " Phase 1 - Initial construction of the Great Western Hotel sometime between 1872 and 1896, most likely in 1879. " Phase 2 - Front porch added between 1896 and 1908 when it appears on historic mapping. This was most likely undertaken in c.1899 when plans were submitted by Farnham United Breweries to extend the porch. " Phase 3 - A single storey extension was added to the north west of the building between 1932 and 1965. This was likely undertaken in c. 1951 when plans were submitted for new extension. This is likely to coincide with the single storey red brick extension to the south east of the hotel. " Phase 4 - The single storey range to the south of the hotel which was granted permission in 1998 (Planning ref: BDB/43055). This includes the matching blue frontage to the north of the former entryway.
Luke Tremlett (Mon,) studied this question.