Guildford brings together historic sites and a natural area along the River Wey. This offers a clear way to choose what to focus on during your visit: you can centre your stay more on the city’s history, its natural surroundings or both. The sights offer different points of interest, ranging from the period after the Norman Conquest to several habitats in the north-east of Guildford.
Castles, Gardens and City History
Guildford Castle was built shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The gardens are arranged around the 11th-century keep and are known for their colourful floral displays. The castle and gardens thus bring together two distinct aspects of a visit: the building’s early history and the design of the garden around the keep. If you are particularly interested in the area’s past, Guildford Museum also covers a broad span of history. It traces the city’s history from Saxon times to the present day.
Admission to Guildford Museum’s exhibitions is free. As the exhibitions may change, it is a good idea to check the latest information before your visit. Guildford House offers another perspective on the city’s history: this Grade II listed 17th-century townhouse is located on the High Street. Unlike the museum’s extensive chronology, it is a specific historic building from a later period. Together, the museum, castle and Guildford House offer different ways to explore Guildford’s past.
City History on Foot and from the Tower
Free guided walks exploring the city’s past are available in Guildford. The Guildford Story walk introduces its origins. This means history is also explored in the form of a walk, as well as through the museum and historic buildings. The programme is seasonal and may change, so check the latest dates if you are planning to join a walk.
The tower tours at Guildford Cathedral offer a different kind of guided experience: visitors climb 249 steps to the top of the cathedral. This specific figure gives you an indication of whether you would like to include the climb in your visit. The tower and the guided walks offer different points of interest: one centres on the climb, the other on the city’s past.
Nature along the River Wey
Riverside Nature Reserve is a 30-hectare wildlife area in north-east Guildford, along the River Wey. It includes four main habitats: meadows, wetlands, open water and woodland. You can see the variety in these different landscape types alone. Boardwalks run through the wetlands, making them a distinctive part of the reserve for visitors to experience.
In contrast to Guildford’s historic sites, the nature reserve focuses on habitats and wildlife. These interests differ, but you do not need to follow a set order during your stay: you can plan around the city’s history, nature or a mix of both. If you are considering Guildford as a place to stay overnight, these options offer several points of interest to help shape your visit.
Discover more destinations: Virginia Water, Bookham, Cranleigh, Lingfield, Pirbright, Burpham, Reigate, Bletchingley
For the regional travel guide: Surrey.
