Guildford's Heritage

Guildford's Heritage Guildford Heritage Service:
👉Guildford House
👉Guildford Museum
👉Guildford Castle
👉Guildhall Entry is free. Gallery spaces: 10.30am-3.30pm.

Guildford House - 155 High Street, Guildford GU1 3AJ
Guildford House is a fascinating 17th century Grade I listed town house located on the High Street. It houses Guildford House Gallery: a changing exhibition space offering a varied programme of art and craft shows, workshops and talks; a craft gift shop; and the Tourist Information Centre. The Brew House craft shop sells a range of unique gifts

and locally crafted goods. Opening times: Guildford House, TIC and Brew House shop: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4.30pm. Guildford Museum - Castle Arch, Quarry Street, Guildford GU1 3SX
Set in a series of historic buildings just a couple of minutes’ walk from Guildford High Street, the Museum is home to a permanent collection of objects from Guildford and the surrounding Borough, dating from prehistoric times to the present day. Explore our local history from the age of prehistoric man to modern life and times. Discover more about famous people connected with Guildford and Surrey, including garden designer Gertrude Jekyll and author Lewis Carroll. Enjoy our unique collection of needlework and toys. As well as free displays and exhibitions we have a programme of events and activities for all ages. Opening times: Wednesday to Saturday, 12noon to 4.30pm (last admission 4pm). Guildford Castle - Castle Street, Guildford GU1 3SX
Visit Guildford Castle and head to the top of the Great Tower for a 360 degree panoramic view of Guildford and the beautiful surrounding countryside. The Castle is thought to have been built by William the Conqueror, or one of his barons, shortly after the Norman invasion of England in 1066. Used as a Royal Palace, a prison and a private residence, the Castle and grounds were sold to the Guildford Corporation in 1885. Opening times: June to October Wednesday to Saturday, 12noon to 4.30pm (last admission 4pm). Adult £3.70, child £2.20, under 5s free. The Guildhall - High Street, Guildford GU1 3AA
The Guildhall is a 16th century building of great historic interest. Formerly a courtroom and council chamber, the ground floor is of Tudor origin. The classical front of the building is dominated by a magnificent bracket clock made in 1683. The venue is used for civic functions and is available for hire and opens for events. Contact [email protected]. Medieval Undercroft - 72 High St, Guildford GU1 3HE
The medieval Undercroft is one of the finest examples in the country. Dating from the end of the 13th century, this stone vaulted semi-basement is thought to have been a merchant’s shop, selling wine or expensive cloths or silk. Opening times: May to September Wednesday and Saturday 2pm to 4pm. Wanborough Barn - Westwood Lane, Wanborough GU3 2JR
Wanborough Barn is one of the most important medieval barns in England. Dating from 1388, it was built by the Cistercian monks of Waverley Abbey. The barn holds a display of local and historic interest as well as hosting special events and exhibitions. Open to the public on selected days. Visit http://www.wanboroughgreatbarn.co.uk/ for details. Victorian School Room - 39½ Castle Street, Guildford GU1 3UQ
This building began life as the Providence Chapel built in 1816. Today it houses a specially recreated Victorian schoolroom and playroom, available for school visits by appointment.

Just two days left to visit our exhibition ‘Venus on the Tube’ by Martin Church at Guildford House Gallery. Come and see...
12/06/2026

Just two days left to visit our exhibition ‘Venus on the Tube’ by Martin Church at Guildford House Gallery.

Come and see how Martin has created colourful collages based on his daily journeys on the tube, before the doors close and the train rolls out of the station!

Martin Church’s/ (Insta @ only) archival A2 inkjet prints are available for sale, printed on Hahnemuhle, William Turner 100% cotton paper. Mounted and in cellophane.
£50 each

Image: 2024-10-13-0912-metropolitan-line by Martin Church

🎨 Until Saturday 13 June
🎨 10am to 4:30pm (last entry at 4pm)
🎨 Guildford House Gallery
🎨 Free, donations welcome

As the football World Cup kicks off today, we’re taking you back to 1919 to explore the history of Guildford’s local tea...
11/06/2026

As the football World Cup kicks off today, we’re taking you back to 1919 to explore the history of Guildford’s local team.

This photograph captures the Guildford FC team during the 1919-1920 season. Originally formed in 1877, this amateur club played their home matches at Woodbridge Road Sports Ground. Their distinctive pink kit earned them the nickname ‘The Pinks’.

As the club became professionalised and joined the Southern League in 1921, its name changed to Guildford United.

In 1927, the club was renamed again to Guildford City FC, as it was believed Guildford would gain city status, following becoming a diocese and the plans for the construction of Guildford Cathedral. Although the city’s status was never gained, the club kept the name Guildford City FC, which continues today!

If you’d like to learn more about the history of Guildford, then call into the research room at this Friday. Volunteer...
10/06/2026

If you’d like to learn more about the history of Guildford, then call into the research room at this Friday.

Volunteers from the Friends of Guildford Museum will be on hand to help with any questions or queries you have.

Resources include books covering the history of different places across the county, maps, local directories, a database of Guildford town centre inhabitants from the 1800s to today plus Surrey Archaeological Society bulletins and collections.

There’s also a selection of books on topics featured in the museum collections such as needlework and pottery.

The room is named the Longworth Discovery Lounge after Andrew Longworth, a former member of staff with our Heritage Service.

👉 Friday 12 June
👉 12pm until 4pm (last entry 3.30pm)
👉 Free

Enjoying the sunny summer weather but need a break from the heat? Why not visit to see our fascinating new exhibition ...
09/06/2026

Enjoying the sunny summer weather but need a break from the heat?

Why not visit to see our fascinating new exhibition Gertrude Jekyll in Surrey, and while you’re looking at the exhibits you can cool off in our air-conditioned gallery.

🪭 Gertrude Jekyll in Surrey. Artist. Gardener. Collector.
🪭 Guildford Museum
🪭 Wednesday till Saturday 12pm until 4.30pm (last entry 4pm)
🪭 Free, donations welcome

This is your last week to see the exciting exhibition at Guildford House Gallery ‘Venus on the Tube’. Artist Martin Chur...
08/06/2026

This is your last week to see the exciting exhibition at Guildford House Gallery ‘Venus on the Tube’.

Artist Martin Church has created colourful collages based on his daily journeys on the tube. He says ‘These images show the lives of ordinary commuters on the London underground reflecting the dynamism, energy and diversity of the metropolis. Each journey is a unique experience which is why I've continued to do it.’

Come and experience this wonderful artwork for yourself!

Martin Church’s archival A2 inkjet prints are available for sale, printed on Hahnemuhle, William Turner 100% cotton paper. Mounted and in cellophane.
£50 each

Image: 2025-08-11-1945-metropolitan-line

🎨 Open until Saturday 13 June
🎨 10am until 4:30pm
🎨 Guildford House Gallery
🎨 Free, donations welcome

Are you coming to the in the Castle Grounds tomorrow? Visit us on our Guildford Museum stand to make paper flowers ins...
05/06/2026

Are you coming to the in the Castle Grounds tomorrow?

Visit us on our Guildford Museum stand to make paper flowers inspired by Gertrude Jekyll, a famous local garden designer who features in our current exhibition.

There'll be lots of other stalls at the picnic with refreshments, face painting, and garden products. And, there’s live music!!

The event is run by Guildford in Bloom who do so much to beautify the town and encourage others to do so too.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

👉 Saturday 6 June
👉 12pm until 4pm
👉 Castle Grounds
👉 Free
👉 Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome

Today’s Coffee Time Talk will be on the booming postcard industry in Guildford. The 20th century was the golden age of t...
04/06/2026

Today’s Coffee Time Talk will be on the booming postcard industry in Guildford.

The 20th century was the golden age of the picture postcard. Around 900 million cards were posted in 1913. Guildford traders such as Charles Chaplin and John Lasham are arguably the most notable and many of their postcards are in the museum collection today.

It’s with thanks to them that we get to see how Guildford has changed over the years and see old Surrey bygones that are in museums like ours today.

Our latest exhibition at is about Gertrude Jekyll. As well as being a famous garden designer she was a collector of ob...
03/06/2026

Our latest exhibition at is about Gertrude Jekyll. As well as being a famous garden designer she was a collector of objects relating to rural life in west surrey.

We look after Jekyll’s collection of objects, and a number of them are included in our exhibition which tells you much more about the life of this incredible woman.

This is one of the objects in our collection, can you guess what it was used for?

This week is so we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who volunteers and helps support the work of our Heritage,...
02/06/2026

This week is so we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who volunteers and helps support the work of our Heritage, Visitor, and Events team.

We have volunteers assisting with cataloguing the book collection in our Longworth Discovery Lounge and stewarding the room during opening sessions. Thank you also to the volunteer stewards at the Guildhall open days, to volunteers who assist with our popular Coffee Time Talks, and to our newer volunteers helping with our museum stores move.

Our Guildhall is open to visitors today. This iconic building, with the clock hanging over the High Street, has played a...
01/06/2026

Our Guildhall is open to visitors today. This iconic building, with the clock hanging over the High Street, has played a significant part in the town’s history.

Drop in to view amazing architecture, paintings, and objects. If you have any questions, our friendly volunteer stewards are on hand to help.

Why not combine it with a visit to today’s Guildford Farmers’ Market?

👉 Tuesday 2 June (and the first Tuesday of the month until September)
👉 10am until 2pm
👉 Free, donations welcome

Address

Castle Arch, Quarry Street
Guildford
GU13SX

Opening Hours

Wednesday 12pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 12pm - 4:30pm
Friday 12pm - 4:30pm
Saturday 12pm - 4:30pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Guildford's Heritage posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share