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 £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.

Join the celebration of Guildford’s heritage and culture with over 50 events across the borough during 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗗𝗔𝗬...
05/09/2026

Join the celebration of Guildford’s heritage and culture with over 50 events across the borough during 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦, England's largest festival of history and culture.

The festival runs from 11 to 20 September with a variety of 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 events for you to enjoy on different days, including:

- Sime Gallery guided walks and talks
- Free Entry to Guildford Castle Keep
- Albury Pigeon House open day
- Object handling at Guildford Museum
- Live jazz performance at Abbot's Hospital
- Guildhall open day
- Historic vehicle display and heritage bus rides
- Yvonne Arnaud Theatre tour
- 'Our Time 2' art exhibition at St Mary's

For more details on these events and much more, visit www.guildford.gov.uk/HOD2026

As children go back to school, or start for the very first time this week, take a look at these photographs of Guildford...
03/09/2026

As children go back to school, or start for the very first time this week, take a look at these photographs of Guildford school children from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

📷A class from Holy Trinity School in 1898
📷Pupils from Wood Street School in 1920s with their teacher E. V. Hogg
📷Class IV from Stoke Girls School, undated

Class photographs like these have been a longstanding school tradition, capturing a moment in time for pupils, teachers and families. While fashions and uniforms may have changed over the years, the excitement and nerves associated with a new school year are something many of us can still relate to today.

Do you remember your first day at school or school picture day?

It's time for another introduction to a member of our team...This is Tim, one of the people helping to keep our historic...
02/09/2026

It's time for another introduction to a member of our team...

This is Tim, one of the people helping to keep our historic sites looking their best and running smoothly behind the scenes.

From carrying out essential safety checks to organising repairs, and even replacing flag cords, no two days are the same.

Working in heritage isn't just about collections and exhibitions; it takes a wide range of roles and skills to care for the places and stories that matter, and Tim plays an important part in keeping our historic sites safe and well cared for.

We have a few seats remaining for the first Coffee Time Talk of the season this Thursday 3 September, from 10.30am to 12...
02/09/2026

We have a few seats remaining for the first Coffee Time Talk of the season this Thursday 3 September, from 10.30am to 12pm at the beautiful Guildhall.

Join us to hear Moira MacQuaide explore the life of John Rand Capron, a Guildford solicitor who was educated at the Royal Grammar School and earned the respect of geologists, astronomers and meteorologists as a keen amateur scientist.

Book your place by emailing us at [email protected]

01/09/2026

There’s just over a month left to see ’s solo exhibition ‘People Watching’ at Guildford House Gallery.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see these 25 original works of art that capture the beauty in everyday moments.

• Free entry
• Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm (last entry 4pm)
• Closes 4 October

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

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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