Experience Guildford
If you live, work, or shop in Guildford, you’ve probably seen our friendly Town Rangers out and about. Always ready with a smile, directions, and helpful advice, they’re just one of the many ways we make Guildford a safe, welcoming, and vibrant place to visit. We’re also the team behind some of your favourite moments in town – from the magical Christmas Lights switch-on to family fun like Fun Time Thursdays. Add in seasonal trails, kids’ activities, and year-round events, and there’s always something new to enjoy.
Love a local deal? Our Christmas Privilege Card and year-round Privilege Card offer exclusive discounts at shops, cafés, restaurants, and attractions across Guildford – all free to access when you download the Experience Guildford app.
Whether you’re hunting for the best lunch spot, curious about what’s on, or just need a hand finding your way, we’re here to help. Stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter at www.experienceguildford.com and following us on social media @experienceguildford for the latest events, offers, and town news.
Proudly Independent
Guildford is home to over 160 Independent businesses from quirky bars to handcrafted gift shops, board game cafes to theatres. Many of these independents have won multiple awards recognised by national bodies.
Read on to find and out about our Independent gems and what they have to offer, as well as the wonderful owners and their teams that make these businesses so special.
Look out for 'Proudly Independent' window stickers in the windows of all our Independent businesses in Guildford Town!
Take a look at .....
Street art in Guildford! Guildford Festival of the Arts!
Upcoming Events
Chaos / A New World | Guildford School of Acting
Friday 15th May to Saturday 16th May All evening performances will begin at 7:30pm. All matinee…
Destination Cranleigh May keep or gift raffle
To celebrate the month of May, Destination Cranleigh is running a 'Keep or Gift' Raffle…
Fake or Fortune | Guided Walk - Saturday 16 May 2026
Date: Saturday 16 May 2026 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford…
Gertrude Jekyll in Surrey | Guildford Museum
Saturday 25 April to Saturday 24 October 2026 Wednesday - Saturday 12 noon - 4.30pm (last entry 4pm)…
Guildford Choral Summer Concert - 16th May Puccini - Messa Di Gloria
Guildford Choral and Guildford Symphony Orchestra Summer Concert - GLive 16th May 730pm Puccini…
Learn, create and be entertained with The Guildford Institute’s new events programme
April – September events The Guildford Institute is a local charity providing cultural…
SHELF: The Kids Show 2 | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
After a sell out kids' show at the Yvonne Arnaud in 2024, Shelf are BACK with a brand new sketch…
Spring at Wild Wood Treetop Adventure
Spring into the Wild! Wild Wood Adventure has over 60 challenges soaring 42ft in the air and is one…
Surrey Hills International Music Festival 2026
SURREY HILLS INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 5-16 May 2026 The Surrey Hills…
The Importance of Being Oscar | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about.' Micheál Mac…
Young Company: Summer Term | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Join the Young Company Are you aged 13–16 and bursting with creativity, energy, and a love for…
Emma Kenny - Murderous Minds | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Murderous Minds isn't just a retelling of crimes, it's an unflinching journey into the…
EPSOM & EWELL SILVER BAND
Castle Grounds Bandstand Concert Programme 2026 Sunday 17 May 2pm - 4pm The Epsom & Ewell…
Guildford Model Engineering Society Open Day - 17 May 2026
Guildford Model Engineering Society Sunday 17 May 14:00 - 17:00 Free Admission Open days at Stoke…
Kidical Mass Guildford
Children, bring your grownups to the streets and cycle paths of Guildford town centre. We'll go…
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (affectionately known as the DGR) runs this year on Sunday…
Catching the Image | The Guildford Institute
There are many ways of making an image. Artists have always combined ideas from a variety of sources…
The Man Who Was Magic |
Dare to believe in magic as the UK's #1 magic show returns a brand-new production for 2026…
Alex Parker & Friends: A Sondheim Cabaret | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Returning for one night only, musical director Alex Parker brings an intimate evening of the music…
Guildford Jazz
Two of the UK's most acclaimed saxophonists, Denys Baptiste and Tony Kofi celebrate one of the…
Marie Antoinette's Court Painter: Vigée Le Brun | The Guildford Institute
Vigée Le Brun enjoyed a rapid rise to fame. She was painting portraits of French aristocracy…
Resin and Crystal Geode Workshop | The Guildford Institute
Create a dazzling geode on a wooden 40x40cm artboard using rough or polished crystals, minerals…
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Olivier Award winners – Best Entertainment and Family Show 2016 Spontaneous musical comedy at…
Snakes & Ladders | Guildford School of Acting
Thursday 21st May to Saturday 23rd May. Times: All evening performances will begin at 7:30pm. All…
World War II | Guided Walk - Thursday 21 May 2026
Date: Thursday 21 May 2026 Time: 11:00 Meeting Point: Meet at Tunsgate Arch. Guildford…
'How Do You Take Yours' | The Guildford Institute
Special Event Jane Glennie is an actress and historian with over 30 years of experience in bringing…
A Beautiful Thread: Thomas Hardy in Words and Music | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Starring Anton Lesser (Wolf Hall, Endeavour), A Beautiful Thread weaves Hardy's life…
People's Emergency Briefing
Join us for a screening of The People's Emergency Briefing – a powerful 45-minute film bringing…
Barb Jungr | The Guildford Institute
GI Music Lounge Barb Jungr Barb Jungr sings Bob Dylan & Leonard Cohen, accompanied by Simon…
Gertrude Jekyll’s Cottage Artwork | Guildford Museum
Saturday 23 and Wednesday 27 until Saturday 30 May…
Guildford Art Society Pop-up Exhibition
GAS artists will be exhibiting their artworks for one day only in the stunning setting of Holy…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Saturday 23 May 2026
Date: Saturday 23 May 2026 Time: 11:00 Meet at: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford, GU1 3AA…
May Half Term Fun at Wild Wood Treetop Adventure
Join us for a wild time with fun for all the family! Soar, Zip and climb through the trees of…
Venus On the Tube: Martin Church | Guildford House Gallery
23 May–13 June 2026 Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 4.30pm An exhibition by Martin…
CACTUS BRASS
Castle Grounds Bandstand Concert Programme 2026 Sunday 24 May 2pm - 4pm Relax in the park to…
Enchanted - The Ultimate Princess Concert | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Enchanted - The Ultimate Princess Concert is a heartwarming and magical musical experience that…
Guildford Story | Guided Walk - Monday 25 May 2026
Date: Monday 25 May 2026 Time: 11:00 Meet at: Tunsgate Arch. Guildford, GU1 3AA…
Tunsgate Quarter Bee Week
Join the Buzz at Tunsgate Quarter this May Half Term! Discover the amazing world of bees and how you…
Creative Collages | Guildford House Gallery
(Image copyright Martin Church) Tuesday 26 May 10.30am - 12.30pm Suitable for ages 6+ Make a picture…
Magic & Illusion for Beginners 7-11yrs | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Ever wanted to say "was this your card?" Ever wanted to make something disappear? Ever…

