Guildford's Heritage

Guildford's Heritage 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.

Guildford's Heritage Services brings the borough's heritage and history to life through exhibitions, collections, stories, and events.
📍Guildford Museum, Guildhall, Castle and Guildford House (incorporating the Guildford House Gallery) 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 T

ourist Information Centre. The Brew House craft shop sells a range of unique gifts and locally crafted goods. Entry is free. Opening times: Guildford House, TIC and Brew House shop: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4.30pm. Gallery spaces: 10.30am-3.30pm. 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 ÂŁ3.70, child ÂŁ2.20, 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.

Rainy evenings in Guildford are nothing new...This atmospheric photograph from the 1950s shows the High Street and iconi...
29/08/2026

Rainy evenings in Guildford are nothing new...

This atmospheric photograph from the 1950s shows the High Street and iconic clock on a wet night. On the left are familiar businesses of the time, including the British School of Motoring, Jaeger and the Bulls Head pub. A car sits parked with its lights on, reflected in the rain-soaked setts.

With the Bank Holiday weekend bringing a bit of rain, we thought this glimpse of Guildford on a wet evening decades ago felt rather fitting.

Have you got any wet weather memories of the High Street from years gone by?

Don't miss our last family fun activity of the summer holidays...On Tuesday 1st September, take a break from back to sch...
28/08/2026

Don't miss our last family fun activity of the summer holidays...

On Tuesday 1st September, take a break from back to school shopping and pop into the Guildhall open day.

Inside we'll be making judge's wigs, dressing up in civic robes, and posing for pictures with the mayor who will be popping in.

🎟️Attendance is free, donations welcome
🧒Suitable for children ages 6+, adults to accompany all children
⌚Drop in between 10am to 12pm

Ever wondered how women carried their personal items before pockets became a staple in women’s fashion? Meet the chatela...
27/08/2026

Ever wondered how women carried their personal items before pockets became a staple in women’s fashion?

Meet the chatelaine, a fashion accessory worn suspended from a woman’s waistline or belt by a clasp.

The word chatelaine derives from the French term ‘lady of the castle’. Historically, these accessories were worn by women who held authority over the household keys. Over time, however, their purpose evolved... Some were used practically by seamstresses to hang sewing tools, while others became decorative fashionable, yet functional, pieces of jewellery.

This example in the museum collection from 1890-1900, includes a small perfume bottle, compact mirror, purse, and powder puff attachment. It showcases how they became symbols of women’s personal adornment during the Victorian period, both practically for makeup, but also as a fashion accessory, with the carnation motifs adding a stylish decoration to an outfit.

Should chatelaines make a fashion comeback?

More than 600 years ago the monks of Waverley Abbey built this barn in Wanborough, and this Sunday 30 August you can vis...
26/08/2026

More than 600 years ago the monks of Waverley Abbey built this barn in Wanborough, and this Sunday 30 August you can visit during their open day (from 2pm until 5pm).

When it was built in 1388, it was used for storing and processing crops and fleeces, but as you'll discover inside, it has had a fascinating history since then!

Find out more at www.wanboroughgreatbarn.co.uk

Not long to go!Heritage Open Days returns to Guildford from 11-20 September. Enjoy a packed programme of free events, to...
24/08/2026

Not long to go!

Heritage Open Days returns to Guildford from 11-20 September. Enjoy a packed programme of free events, tours, talks and activities across Guildford town centre and the wider borough.

Find out what's on at www.visitsurrey.com/guildfordheritageopendays

Do you work in education? Help spark children's natural curiosity and make abstract history more tangible with Discovery...
23/08/2026

Do you work in education? Help spark children's natural curiosity and make abstract history more tangible with Discovery Boxes.

We have a variety of real and replica objects, and accompanying resources available for hire. Themes include:

Archaeology - the Guildford area in the past
Prehistory - stone age axes
Roman - Roman coins in Surrey
Victorian childhood toys
Guildford in the second world war

For full details and information about loans, please contact us at [email protected]

The last Guildhall open day of the season takes place on Tuesday 1 September from 10am until 2pm.This sometimes overlook...
22/08/2026

The last Guildhall open day of the season takes place on Tuesday 1 September from 10am until 2pm.

This sometimes overlooked building on the High Street dates back to the 1550s, with architecture from Renaissance and Tudor periods.

Inside you'll find more than just amazing architecture, with helpful stewards on hand to tell you all about the fascinating history as a courtroom, the large pieces of artwork, and much more.

Entry is free, donations welcome.

21/08/2026

Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) was a remarkable woman, famous for her writing and garden designs, and for being an artist, craftswoman, and collector!

The ‘Gertrude Jekyll in Surrey’ exhibition at Guildford Museum explores her life in Surrey, her love of its countryside and rural ways of life, and features many objects from her collection.

Open until 24 October 2026
Free entry, donations welcome
Located at Guildford Museum, Quarry Street
Open Wednesday to Saturday
12pm to 4.30pm (last entry 4pm)

Did you know that Gertrude Jekyll was much more than a celebrated garden designer?Our temporary exhibition at Guildford ...
21/08/2026

Did you know that Gertrude Jekyll was much more than a celebrated garden designer?

Our temporary exhibition at Guildford Museum reveals the many sides of this remarkable Surrey resident, from artist and writer to craftswoman and collector. Through objects from her collection, discover how the Surrey countryside inspired her life and work.

Visit this free exhibition before it closes on 24 October.

Open now at Guildford Museum, Wednesday to Saturday, 12pm to 4.30pm (last entry 4pm)

This portrait of Rev. Henry Watkins was painted in 1805 by John Russell, a close friend of the Rector.Guildford-born Joh...
20/08/2026

This portrait of Rev. Henry Watkins was painted in 1805 by John Russell, a close friend of the Rector.

Guildford-born John Russell (1745-1806) was a renowned portrait artist known for his strikingly lifelike pastels and commissions from royalty and prominent figures across Britain.

The likeness was apparently so convincing that when the painting arrived home, Watkins recorded in his diary that his favourite dog "put his paws against the glass and licked the face of the picture." (Williamson, John Russell R.A. 1894 p.168)

You can view more art from the Borough Collection online at app.guildford.gov.uk/BoroughCollection

Address

Guildford Museum, Castle Arch, Quarry Street
Guildford
GU13SX

Opening Hours

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

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