With international film studios and London on the doorstep, Guildford and its surrounding villages have long been a top location choice for film makers and producers.
With a host of Hollywood hits and prime time TV shows shot in the area, you never know who you might bump into while strolling around the market town or hiking in the nearby Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
In the heart of Guildford
With its cobbled High Street at its heart and beautiful countryside only minutes away, the historic buildings, alleys and hidden corners of Guildford town centre appear straight out of an idyllic movie set.
Indeed, the picturesque High Street recently featured in the Hugh Laurie directed Why Didn't They Ask Evans? – alongside several other Surrey film locations.
Head slightly out of town and the film and TV credit list quickly stacks up...
Guildford Cathedral
One of the Guildford’s most iconic landmarks, Guildford Cathedral has views across the town from the top of Stag Hill. Most famously, it featured in the cult 1970s film The Omen but, more recently, it has hosted The Sandman and The Witcher, both popular series on Netflix.
Loseley Park
Found along country lanes on the edge of town, much of Loseley Park dates to the 16th century – and, with so many character-packed rooms and views, it’s no surprise that it’s been a popular film location over the years. Loseley Park has featured in, among many others, The Crown, Midsomer Murders, Sense & Sensibility, Emma and, recently, Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen.
The village of Shere
People travel from all over the world to visit the quintessentially English village of Shere, largely thanks to it being the home of Kate Winslet’s character, Iris, in The Holiday.
Her cottage was custom built for the movie but it’s not difficult to imagine stumbling across it while walking around the twisting lanes. A scene between Cameron Diaz and Jude Law was also shot at The White Horse pub in the village.
It wasn’t the first time Shere had appeared on cinema screens, however, as the final scenes in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason feature St James’ Church prominently, which is in the centre of the village.
Scenes for Four Weddings and a Funeral were filmed just down the road from Shere in Albury, an equally timeless village.
West Horsley Place and Ghosts
At West Horsley Place, they’ve been acting as Button House in the BBC comedy series Ghosts for several years.
You can even enjoy a filming tour there, which walks you through the shots of Enola Holmes, Vanity Fair, My Cousin Rachel, Mothering Sunday and Howard's End, among others.
Horsley Estate
Nearby, the spectacular De Vere Horsley Estate and Towers featured in Alice Through the Looking Glass, which starred Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter.
The Courtyard has also been turned into an Egyptian market, and other areas of the property feature in The Crown, Suffragettes and Call the Midwife.
Clandon Park
The National Trust’s Clandon Park, which is currently undergoing major conservation work following a fire in 2015, is also preserved in film with the likes of The Duchess starring Keira Knightley and showcasing the property in all its glory..
Hampton Estate in Seale
On the western side of the borough of Guildford, Hampton Estate is a working farm that also has a taste for the Hollywood spotlight.
Over the decades, the estate has been used as a location for films including The Dig, Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood, Jack the Giant Killer and Goodbye Christopher Robin. It’s also appeared in TV series such as Cursed, Poirot and Midsomer Murders.
Exploring Guildford's film locations
With a little imagination, this cinematic selection of Guildford film locations can become the perfect way to discover the places and attractions around Guildford in a new light. Share your favourite Guildford film locations with us on social media, @VisitSurrey.
Looking to film in Guildford?
As well as its historic sites and picturesque villages, Guildford is also home to the state-of-the-art headquarters of many businesses - so, whether you're filming a timeless rom-com, a thriller in the countryside or something a little more space age, you'll find the ideal film location in Guildford.
- Filming requests are handled by individual attractions but if you'd like to film the borough's historic buildings, public car parks or land owned by the council you must follow this application process.
This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund Prospectus.
