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.

Did you guess the mystery object on Wednesday’s post? Here’s the answer! It was a chimney hanger for suspending a pot ov...
20/06/2026

Did you guess the mystery object on Wednesday’s post? Here’s the answer!

It was a chimney hanger for suspending a pot over a wood or coal fire. The serrations meant that a pot or kettle could be hung at different heights – a bit like changing the temperature on your oven. They were in use in parts of Surrey until the start of the 1900s.

Come and see the display of old household equipment collected by Gertrude Jekyll in our special exhibition at .

👉 Gertrude Jekyll in Surrey exhibition until 24 October
👉 Wednesday to Saturday
👉 12pm to 4.30pm (last entry 4pm)
👉 Free, donations welcome

On Tuesday 23 June, Guildford House will open a little later than normal at 11.30am. This is to allow time for our team ...
19/06/2026

On Tuesday 23 June, Guildford House will open a little later than normal at 11.30am. This is to allow time for our team to attend a training session.

Our Tourist Information Centre and Brew House Shop team look forward to seeing you from 11.30am.

There’s always something to keep children entertained at . Drop-in to take part in the Awesome Animal Safari. There are...
19/06/2026

There’s always something to keep children entertained at .

Drop-in to take part in the Awesome Animal Safari. There are more animals in the museum than you might think! How many can you find?

👉 Wednesday until Saturday
👉 12pm to 4.30pm (last entry 4pm)
👉 Free, donations welcome

Today’s photo is of the Crown Inn Pub and the Old Cloth Hall on North Street. The pub once stood at the top of North Str...
18/06/2026

Today’s photo is of the Crown Inn Pub and the Old Cloth Hall on North Street.

The pub once stood at the top of North Street and it provided beds, stabling, and of course drinks to patrons. It was closed in 1907 and eventually demolished in 1913 to make way for road widening. It was attached to the old Cloth Hall, first built in 1629 by Archbishop Abbot and extended in the 19th century.

With a rectangular plan, with turrets, and oriel windows this building was originally intended to help revive the woollen cloth industry in Guildford. It has since had many purposes over the years such as a pauper house, school, and shop premises.

Have you visited the Gertrude Jekyll in Surrey exhibition at yet? As well as being a famous garden designer, Jekyll wa...
17/06/2026

Have you visited the Gertrude Jekyll in Surrey exhibition at yet? As well as being a famous garden designer, Jekyll was a collector of objects relating to rural life in west Surrey.

We recently posted a mystery object. Did you guess what it was? It was a tinder box for storing the items needed to create a spark (flint, steel and rags) before the invention of matches. It also had a built-in candle holder.

Can you guess what today’s mystery object was used for? Check our social media later in the week or call into the museum to find out.

👉 Wednesday until Saturday
👉 12pm to 4.30pm (last entry 4pm)
👉 Free, donations welcome

Want to know what’s family fun activities are on over the summer holidays at our venues?Then sign up to our Family Fun N...
16/06/2026

Want to know what’s family fun activities are on over the summer holidays at our venues?

Then sign up to our Family Fun Newsletter mailing list and we’ll keep you updated on all our events and activities across the year.

You can sign up using the form when you visit one of our venues or email us on [email protected].

Our historic Castle has stood for centuries, and what it must have seen come and go over the years...!! We feel very pri...
16/06/2026

Our historic Castle has stood for centuries, and what it must have seen come and go over the years...!!

We feel very privileged to be custodians of this building, and to be able to share some of the history about the Castle with our visitors.

Why not pay us a visit to find out more, you can dress up as a king or queen for a quick selfie, and perhaps do one of our activity sheets?

We hope to see you soon!

👉 Open Wednesday to Saturday
👉 12pm until 4.30pm (last entry 4pm)
👉 Admission charges apply

Coming soon to is our summer exhibition People Watching by Rebecca Holton! Rebecca won the Guildford House Open 2025, ...
15/06/2026

Coming soon to is our summer exhibition People Watching by Rebecca Holton!

Rebecca won the Guildford House Open 2025, in partnership with Parker Harris.

Image: Miss Bennett was an excellent walker, Rebecca Holton 2025

🎨 People Watching
🎨 Saturday 4 July until Saturday 3 October 2026
🎨 Guildford House Gallery
🎨 Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm (last entry 4pm)
🎨 Free entry, donations welcome

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!

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

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