History & Heritage in Surrey
Surrey is a truly historic place with fascinating heritage. From castles to cathedral, settlements to stately homes, evidence of Surrey's rich heritage and history can be found in abundance throughout the county.
Visit the monument where the great charter, the Magna Carta was signed at Runnymede in 1215. A Surrey meadow was the setting for one of the defining events in English history, when King John gave his grudging assent to a Charter of Liberties curbing royal power. The Charter is now known throughout the world as Magna Carta. Climb up to the ancient Iron Age fort situated on Holmbury Hill, the 4th highest point in the county, or discover parts of one of England's most important Roman roads, still visible at Mickleham Downs.
Surrey's glorious architecture and beautiful parks and gardens are often featured in films and TV Dramas which makes them so interesting to visit. Scenes from the historical drama Bridgerton were shot in Painshill, the stunning Elizabethan Loseley House is a film location for The Crown and the BBC comedy series Ghosts was filmed entirely at West Horsley Place. Our historic treasures provide for great days out in Surrey.
For a more in-depth look at Surrey's history take a look at our History of Surrey page.
Explore Surrey's Stately Homes and Castles
Hampton Court Palace
Credit: Historic Royal Palaces
Polesden Lacey
Credit: National Trust
Loseley Park
Credit: Loseley Park
History & Heritage Events
A Tale of Two Torches: Austin Playfoot and the London Olympic Games |Guildford Museum
From Saturday 20 July 2024 Opening hours are as follows: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday open…
British Ugandan Asians at 50: a free touring exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of the Ugandan evacuation, 1972-2022
On 4th August 1972, the Ugandan dictator, General Idi Amin, expelled 70,000 Asians from the country…
Epsom Hospital cluster heritage exhibition | The Horton Arts Centre
The Horton is the location for the first permanent exhibition dedicated to the fascinating history…
From Garrison to Garden | Guildford Museum
Discover stories of Guildford Castle. From Norman fortress, to surviving medieval tower surrounded…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Saturday 27 July 24
Date: Saturday 27 July 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford…
Hosting Henry VIII Festival | West Horsley Place
From tasting the King's feast, to Tudor music, falconry and jousting displays this will be a day…
Make a Mammoth Part of the festival of Archaeology
Come along to this craft session in Bourne Hall library and make you own mammoth
Prehistory Exhibition Part of the CBA Festival of Archaeology
Visit Bourne Hall Museum's exhibition on life in the area during prehistory. Items on display…
Ripley - The Mecca for all good Cyclists
. You do not have to be a cyclist to appreciate the story of Ripley and Cycling. In the last quarter…
Soldiers of Surrey: A display from the Surrey Infantry Collection | Guildford Museum
Available during Museum opening hours Wednesday - Saturday 12:00 - 16:30 (last admission 16:00) Free…
Talk: The tragic history of Felix Garcia | The Horton Arts Centre
Festival of Spanish Music and Dance – 25-27 July 2024 TALK: THE TRAGIC HISTORY OF FELIX GARCIA…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Sunday 28 July 24
Date: Sunday 28 July 2024 Time: 11:00 Meet at: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford, GU1…
Meet Henry VIII | West Horsley Place
Get up close to Henry VIII at West Horsley Place this summer holiday and ignite a passion for…
Guildford Guildhall public opening - Tuesday 30 July 2024
When: Every Tuesday until 27 August 2024 - 10.00 to 14.00 Come and see inside…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Tuesday 30 July 24
Date: Tuesday 30 July 2024 Time: 11:00 Meet at: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford, GU1 3QT…
Georgian Guildford | Guided Walk - Thursday 1 August 24
Date: Thursday 1 August Time: 11.00 Meeting point: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford, GU1…
Olympic Torch Family Fun Drop-in! | Guildford Museum
Date: Thursday 1 August Time: 12.30pm until 2.30pm Free, donations welcome Hold Austin…
CWGC Tours 2024
Brookwood Military Cemetery is the final resting place of over 8500 Commonwealth servicemen and…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Saturday 3 August 24
Date: Saturday 3 August 2024 Time: 11:00 Meet at: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford…
Medieval Guildford | Guided Walk - Sunday 4 August24
Date: Sunday 4 August Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford, GU1 3QT…
Open Day | Gatton Park
Enjoy 250 acres of 'Capability' Brown parkland and Edwardian gardens and refreshments in…
Guildford Guildhall public opening - Tuesday 6 August 2024
When: Every Tuesday until 27 August 2024 - 10.00 to 14.00 Come and see inside…
Olympics Craft and Storytime Family Fun! | Guildford Library
Tuesday 6 August 10.30 am to 11.15am Guildford Library Free Suitable for ages 2+ Join in the fun of…
The Fantastical Mr Carroll | Guided Walk - Tuesday 6 August 24
Date: Tuesday 6 August Time: 11:00 and 14:00 Meeting Point: Town Bridge…
Upstairs, Downstairs: A 1930s family tour | West Horsley Place
Step back in time to 1930s West Horsley Place on our Upstairs Downstairs tour. Lady Crewe is…
Guildford Model Engineering Society Open Day
Guildford Model Engineering Society Thursday 8 August 10:00 - 13:00 Free Admission Open days at…
The Fantastical Mr Carroll | Guided Walk - Thursday 8 August 24
Date: Thursday 8 August Time: 11:00 and 14:00 Meeting Point: Town Bridge, between…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Saturday 10 August 24
Date: Saturday 10 August 2024 Time: 11:00 Meet at: Tunsgate Arch…
Medieval Guildford | Guided Walk - Sunday 11 August24
Date: Sunday 11 August Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford, GU1…
Guildford Guildhall public opening - Tuesday 13 August 2024
When: Every Tuesday until 27 August 2024 - 10.00 to 14.00 Come and see inside…
The Guildhall | Guided Walk - Tuesday 13 August 24
Date: Tuesday 13 August Time: 11:00 and 13:00 Meeting Point: Meet at 131 High Street…
Exhibition: Greetings from Farnham! Postcards Through Time | Museum of Farnham
Celebrate the iconic postcard and discover the changing face of 20th century Farnham. Open Wednesday…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Thursday 15 August 24
Date: Thursday 15 August 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Saturday 17 August 24
Date: Saturday 17 August 2024 Time: 11:00 Meet at: Tunsgate Arch…
Olympic Torch Family Fun Drop-in! | Guildford Museum
Date: Saturday 17 August Time: 12.30pm until 2.30pm Free, donations welcome Hold Austin…
Guildford Model Engineering Society Open Day
Guildford Model Engineering Society Sunday 18 August 14:00 - 17:00 Free Admission Open days at Stoke…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Sunday 18 August 24
Date: Sunday 18 August 2024 Time: 11:00 Meet at: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford, GU1 3QT…
Wanborough Barn Open Days - 18 August
The Great Barn at Wanborough lies just to the north of the Hog's Back. It is one of the largest…
Horrible Histories: Rotten Royals | G Live
We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So Horrible Histories is…
Guildford Guildhall public opening - Tuesday 20 August 2024
When: Every Tuesday until 27 August 2024 - 10.00 to 14.00 Come and see inside…
Royal Guildford |Guided Walk - Tuesday 20 August 24
Date: Tuesday 20 August 2024 Time: 11.00 Meeting Point: At Tunsgate Arch…
Be a Knight Family Fun Drop-in! | Guildford Museum
Dates: Wednesday 21 August Time: 12.30pm until 2.30pm Free, donations welcome Inspired by our…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Thursday 22 August 24
Date: Thursday 22 August 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch…
Lewis Carroll in Guildford | Guided Walk - Saturday 24 August 24
Date: Saturday 24 August 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Meet at Guildford…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Sunday 25 August 24
Date: Sunday 25 August 2024 Time: 11:00 Meet at: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford, GU1…
Prayers, Plots & Poisons| Guided Walk - Thursday 25 July at 14:00
Date: Tuesday 25 July 2024 Time: 14:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch…
Guildford Guildhall public opening - Tuesday 27 August 2024
When: Every Tuesday until 27 August 2024 - 10.00 to 14.00 Come and see inside…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Tuesday 27 August 24
Date: Tuesday 27 August 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch…
Guildford Model Engineering Society Open Day
Guildford Model Engineering Society Thursday 29 August 10:00 - 13:00 Free Admission Open days…
Law & Disorder | Guided Walk - Thursday 29 August 24
Date: Thursday 29 August 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford, GU1…
Hidden Guildford | Guided Walk - Saturday 31 August 24
Date: Saturday 31 August 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Sunday 1 September 24
Date: Sunday 1 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meet at: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Tuesday 3 September24
Date: Tuesday 3 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford…
Kings, Worthies & Scoundrels | Guided Walk - Thursday 5 September 24
Date: Thursday 5 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford…
4ft Willow Deer Sculpture Weaving Workshop - 09:30-16:30
1st of June or 6th Sept - Join us for this fun willow craft workshop where you'll create a…
Law & Disorder | Guided Walk - Saturday 7 September 24
Date: Saturday 7 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch…
Steam at Work
Our ever popular steam rally, 'Steam at Work' returns once again for 2024. When we started…
Victorian Guildford | Guided Walk - Sunday 8 September 24
Date: Sunday 8 September Time: 11.00 Meeting point: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford, GU1…
Art & Artists | Guided Walk - Tuesday 10 September 24
Date: Tuesday 10 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford…
Victorian Guildford | Guided Walk - Thursday 12 September 24
Date: Thursday 12 September Time: 11.00 Meeting point: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford, GU1…
Guildford Heritage Open Days 2024
GUILDFORD HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 13 - 15 SEPTEMBER Explore hidden treasures on your doorstep…
Hidden Guildford | Guided Walk - Saturday 14 September 24
Date: Saturday 14 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch…
Pubs & Inns | Guided Walk - Saturday 14 September 24 at 14:30
Date: Saturday 14 September 2024 Time: 14:30 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Sunday 15 September 24 at 14:30
Date: Sunday 15 September 2024 Time: 14:30 Meet at: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford…
Mount Cemetery | Guided Walk - Sunday 15 September 24
Date: Sunday 15 September Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Meeting Point: The…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Tuesday 17 September 24
Date: Tuesday 17 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch…
Brief Lives | Guided Walk - Wednesday 18 September 24
Date: Wednesday 18 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Thursday 19 September 24
Date: Thursday 19 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch…
Fake or Fortune | Guided Walk - Saturday 21 September 24
Date: Saturday 21 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch…
Guildford Model Engineering Society Open Day
Guildford Model Engineering Society Sunday 22 September 14:00 - 17:00 Free Admission Open days at…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Sunday 22 September 24
Date: Sunday 22 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meet at: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford…
Tilford Classic Car Show
See the Museum packed with shining paintwork and gleaming chrome! Our much requested Classic Car…
Woking Car Show 2024
Woking Car Show is a diverse showcase of locally owned and loved Classic, American and Custom cars…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Tuesday 24 September 24
Date: Tuesday 24 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch…
Hidden Guildford | Guided Walk - Thursday 26 September 24
Date: Thursday 26 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Saturday 28 September 24
Date: Saturday 28 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meet at: Tunsgate Arch…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Sunday 29 September 24
Date: Sunday 29 September 2024 Time: 11:00 Meet at: Tunsgate Arch…
Hedgerow Brush making Experience (09:30-1:30pm)
Learn to make a unique brush using foraged wood and Tampico fibre, transform a branch into a brush…
Guildford Model Engineering Society Open Day
Guildford Model Engineering Society Sunday 20 October 14:00 - 17:00 Free Admission Open days at…
Guildford Model Engineering Society Open Day
Guildford Model Engineering Society Thursday 31 October 10:00 - 13:00 Free Admission Open days at…
Guildford Model Engineering Society Open Day
Guildford Model Engineering Society Sunday 8 December 11:00 - 15:00 Free Admission Open days at…