Guildford

Travel Guide
Guildford showing a house
Explore the historic center of Surrey’s largest town, which is lined with handsome old storefronts.  

Guildford is an attractive market town with a 17th-century clock and a cobblestone main street. Browse shops ranging from designer stores to independent boutiques, admire the town’s historic architecture and check out the regular street markets.

Visit Guildford Cathedral, set on an imposing hilltop above the River Wey. The cathedral’s stark red-brick exterior is balanced by a bright interior of pale Somerset sandstone and white Italian marble flooring. The cathedral regularly hosts interesting events. Take a guided tour of the interior.

Enjoy the panoramic views from atop Guildford Castle. First constructed in the 12th century, the castle’s shell keep is the only part of the original complex visible today. See the exhibit in the Great Tower, which includes a model of the original castle and an interpretation panel examining its long history.

Tour The Spike, a well-restored workhouse dating back to the early 20th century. Through costumed reenactments and hands-on activities, The Spike offers interesting insight into poverty in Britain during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Don’t miss the traditional street market on North Street every Friday and Saturday. With more than 20 stalls, the market is an excellent place to shop for fresh produce and meats, in addition to accessories and home furnishings. 

Head 11 miles (17.5 kilometers) outside of Guildford to visit Polesden Lacey, a 19th-century mansion in Great Bookham. Inside, admire the exceptional collection of early 20th-century porcelain, furniture, silver and artwork. Walk through the mansion’s beautifully landscaped gardens or rent equipment to play a game of croquet.

Guildford is also an excellent base for visiting the RHS Wisley Garden, a 240-acre (97-hectare) garden 10 miles (16 kilometers) northeast of the city. The garden is touted as one of the most diverse in the world. Smell the fragrant air of the rose gardens and inspect the trial fields, which are used for new vegetables and flowers. 

Take a train or drive from London to reach Guildford. If arriving by plane, choose flights that land in Heathrow or Gatwick airports.

Guildford Manor Hotel & Spa
Guildford Manor Hotel & Spa
4 out of 5
Newlands Corner, Guildford, England
The price is HK$568 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
HK$568
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Guildford. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Surrey Hills and Guildford Spectrum Leisure ...
7/10 Good! (739 reviews)
Nice weekend retreat
"Had a great stay I feel the pictures on the website should be updated to reflect this. The stay was nice and affordable and had a spa. There's is no reception service after 10pm which I didn't like but apart from that I liked my stay and I would return again."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Guildford Manor Hotel & Spa
Harbour Hotel Guildford
Harbour Hotel Guildford
4 out of 5
3 Alexandra Terrace, High Street, Guildford, England
The price is HK$880 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
HK$880
per night
3 Apr - 4 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Guildford. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"Check in / out smooth and easy. Rooms spacious and comfortable. Plenty of secure parking and fantastic breakfast. Special mention to Jenny on reception, superb customer service."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Harbour Hotel Guildford
Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminal 2 and 3
Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminal 2 and 3
3.5 out of 5
Heathrow T2, Hounslow, England
The price is HK$1,369 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
HK$1,369
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Hounslow. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,292 reviews)
Perfect overnight stay
"Our one night stay was excellent. Just need to be careful in the shower as it only has glass half-way across the shower. You can soak the floors if you are not careful. Also this hotel is much closer to Terminal 2 than Terminal 3."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminal 2 and 3
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
HQ Aparthotel Farnborough
HQ Aparthotel Farnborough
4 out of 5
2 Victoria Road, Farnborough, England
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Farnborough. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (341 reviews)
"We have stayed here 4 times now. My elderly Father lives in Farnborough so it suits us perfectly."

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2024

HQ Aparthotel Farnborough
Aparthotel Adagio London Brentford
Aparthotel Adagio London Brentford
4 out of 5
Ealing Road, Brentford, Brentford, England
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Brentford. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"I have stayed here many times. First stay met my expectations and more. The apartment was very clean, quiet, the kitchen well equipped and the view lovely. The polite and friendly staff of Sheena and co make checking in feel like a home coming and the place a home away from home. I will lodge elsewhere ..."

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2024

Aparthotel Adagio London Brentford
Charming Historic Boat Moored opposite Kew Gardens.
Charming Historic Boat Moored opposite Kew Gardens.
Brentford
Stay at this houseboat in Brentford. Enjoy a water park, WiFi, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Westfield London Shopping Centre and Kensington High Street ...
9/10 Wonderful! (58 reviews)
Mom with adult daughters
"We really enjoyed the boat and the area, was a peaceful and quiet space, especially after spending time in Central London. Transit made it very easy to go anywhere. Close to Kew Gardens, can walk to the Elizabeth Gate. A boat may not be for everyone, but we loved how unique it was and all the birds ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jan 2024

Charming Historic Boat Moored opposite Kew Gardens.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Guildford

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
43
" "5 - Excellent 30.714285714285715%
4 - Good
78
" "4 - Good 55.714285714285715%
3 - Okay
19
" "3 - Okay 13.571428571428571%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
22 Feb 2020

Good pubs, restaurants, entertainment venues, safe

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
16 Feb 2020

Quite an old and run down town. Not many posh restaurants to dine in.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
20 Jan 2020

Very good restaurant choices but need to book ahead as all are very popular Ate at Theion - Greek- outstanding food and service

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
16 Dec 2019

Guildford was a lovely town with the main high street all cobbled for pedestrians only, plenty of places to eat and lots of unusual shops and of course popular everyday ones great atmosphere and truly great with the Christmas lights on.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
8 Dec 2019

We always enjoy a visit ti Guildford. Plenty of places to shop, eat or just relax with a coffee.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
24 Nov 2019

I like Guildford. We went to a lovely 'speak easy' bar called Tudor Antiques and sat in the bay window over the high street. Lovely bar with delicious cocktails.