Beyond Brighton · north-west into Surrey
Guildford, north-west into Surrey: the Norman castle and its gardens, the cobbled High Street and its clock of 1683, the River Wey and Dapdune Wharf, the cathedral on Stag Hill, Watts Gallery and the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.
Town guide
A Saxon “golden ford” on the Wey, a Norman castle, a cobbled High Street with a clock of 1683, a river made navigable in 1653 and a cathedral on Stag Hill.
Town guide
One of the first rivers in Britain made navigable, opened to barges in 1653: the towpath, the wharf and the riverside of Guildford.
Four-star
A modern four-star hotel with a spa at the top of Guildford’s High Street.
3 Alexandra Terrace, High Street, Guildford GU1 3DAExplore View on map
In the Burton’s building
A Coppa Club townhouse on the cobbled High Street, with all-day dining, co-working and rooms.
58–62 High Street, Guildford GU1 3ESExplore View on map
Terrace over the castle
All-day dining over two floors, with a terrace looking across to Guildford Castle.
Tunsgate Quarter, 98–110 High Street, Guildford GU1 3QYExplore View on map
By the river
The theatre’s light, airy kitchen and riverside garden: homemade lunches, cakes, afternoon tea and pre-show suppers.
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Millbrook, GuildfordExplore View on map
In the Assembly Room
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free lunches in the historic Assembly Room of the Guildford Institute.
The Guildford Institute, Ward Street, Guildford GU1 4LHExplore View on map
On the Wey
An independent café on the bank of the River Wey, with barista coffee, pastries, wine and spritzes.
Millbrook, GuildfordExplore View on map
In the cathedral grounds
A bright café in the cathedral grounds, known for its sausage rolls.
On the River Wey
A pet-friendly British pub on the River Wey, with seasonal menus and an alfresco terrace.
Millbrook, Guildford GU1 3XJExplore View on map
Open from breakfast
The Wetherspoon in the Rodboro Buildings on Bridge Street, by the river.
1–10 Bridge Street, Guildford GU1 4SBExplore View on map
An 11th-century keep
The castle gardens in the centre of Guildford, with their floral displays around the 11th-century keep.
On Stag Hill
The modern brick cathedral on Stag Hill above Guildford, open to visitors, with guided and tower tours.
Clock of 1683
The steep, cobbled High Street and the gilded Guildhall clock of 1683 that hangs over it.
Sixteenth century
An Elizabethan house south-west of Guildford, little changed since it was built in the sixteenth century, with walled gardens.
Loseley Park, Guildford GU3 1HSExplore View on map
The Watts Cemetery Chapel
The gallery, home and studios of the Victorian artists G. F. and Mary Watts at Compton, with Mary Watts’s extraordinary cemetery chapel.
Down Lane, Compton, Surrey GU3 1DQExplore View on map
By the river
Guildford’s riverside theatre, with drama, comedy and touring shows.
Millbrook, Guildford GU1 3UXExplore View on map
Grade I listed
A seventeenth-century Grade I listed town house on the High Street, now the borough gallery and tourist information centre.
A Victorian workhouse
Part of Guildford’s old workhouse, kept as a heritage centre.
Warren Road, GuildfordExplore View on map
Open since 1888
Public gardens since 1888 around the Norman keep, famous for their flower displays.
National Trust
A flat towpath walk from the town centre to the National Trust’s Dapdune Wharf on the Wey Navigation.
Wharf Road, Guildford GU1 4RRExplore View on map
Off the High Street
Farrow & Ball’s Guildford showroom on Tunsgate, for colour cards, sample pots and advice.
11 Tunsgate, Guildford GU1 3QTExplore View on map
Independents and big names
Boutiques, independents and major stores around the cobbled High Street, with a farmers’ market each month.
Around the High Street
Flats and period houses round the High Street, the castle and the river, a few minutes from the station.
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