Guildford

Guildford is the county town of Surrey and lies as a gateway to the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With picturesque villages and beautiful landscapes at its doorstep, it’s hard to believe the area is also within easy reach of London (under 40 miles away). 

Offering first class entertainment and shopping in and around its cobbled High Street, Guildford is a great place to stay. Not only can you enjoy some of the finest shopping in the south east, but a wealth of attractions are within easy reach. For those looking for something more tranquil, you are also perfectly placed for an easy escape into the hills to enjoy walking, stunning viewpoints, pub lunches and afternoon teas.

From May to September, volunteer town guides conduct tours of the historic market town’s centre. Visits include the Norman castle keep with its splendid municipal gardens and Guildford Museum, which has displays relating to Lewis Carroll, who is buried here. Memorabilia of another famous resident, Gertrude Jekyll, the landscape gardener, is also on display and there are many examples of her gardens in Surrey. The tour also takes in the Guildhall and its magnificent overhanging clock.

For evening entertainment, the Yvonne Arnaud theatre, set on the banks of the River Wey at the bottom of the High Street, shows pre and post West End productions, there is also the Electric Theatre and Odeon Cinema. Guildford also boasts a wide range of places to eat and drink with restaurants providing French, Italian, Spanish, Indian, Chinese, Thai and Malaysian cuisine, wine bars offering fine wine and pubs with real ale (some of it brewed locally) and traditional fayre.

Discover the Towns and Villages around Guildford