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Guildford's Heritage

Guildford's Heritage Guildford Heritage Services care for a wide range of historic buildings within the borough, enabling Entry is free. Gallery spaces: 10.30am-3.30pm.

Guildford House - 155 High Street, Guildford GU1 3AJ
Guildford House is a fascinating 17th century Grade I listed town house located on the High Street. It houses Guildford House Gallery: a changing exhibition space offering a varied programme of art and craft shows, workshops and talks; a craft gift shop; and the Tourist Information Centre. The Brew House craft shop sells a range of unique gifts

and locally crafted goods. Opening times: Guildford House, TIC and Brew House shop: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4.30pm. Guildford Museum - Castle Arch, Quarry Street, Guildford GU1 3SX
Set in a series of historic buildings just a couple of minutes’ walk from Guildford High Street, the Museum is home to a permanent collection of objects from Guildford and the surrounding Borough, dating from prehistoric times to the present day. Explore our local history from the age of prehistoric man to modern life and times. Discover more about famous people connected with Guildford and Surrey, including garden designer Gertrude Jekyll and author Lewis Carroll. Enjoy our unique collection of needlework and toys. As well as free displays and exhibitions we have a programme of events and activities for all ages. Opening times: Wednesday to Saturday, 12noon to 4.30pm (last admission 4pm). Guildford Castle - Castle Street, Guildford GU1 3SX
Visit Guildford Castle and head to the top of the Great Tower for a 360 degree panoramic view of Guildford and the beautiful surrounding countryside. The Castle is thought to have been built by William the Conqueror, or one of his barons, shortly after the Norman invasion of England in 1066. Used as a Royal Palace, a prison and a private residence, the Castle and grounds were sold to the Guildford Corporation in 1885. Opening times: June to October Wednesday to Saturday, 12noon to 4.30pm (last admission 4pm). Adult £3.70, child £2.20, under 5s free. The Guildhall - High Street, Guildford GU1 3AA
The Guildhall is a 16th century building of great historic interest. Formerly a courtroom and council chamber, the ground floor is of Tudor origin. The classical front of the building is dominated by a magnificent bracket clock made in 1683. The venue is used for civic functions and is available for hire and opens for events. Contact [email protected]. Medieval Undercroft - 72 High St, Guildford GU1 3HE
The medieval Undercroft is one of the finest examples in the country. Dating from the end of the 13th century, this stone vaulted semi-basement is thought to have been a merchant’s shop, selling wine or expensive cloths or silk. Opening times: May to September Wednesday and Saturday 2pm to 4pm. Wanborough Barn - Westwood Lane, Wanborough GU3 2JR
Wanborough Barn is one of the most important medieval barns in England. Dating from 1388, it was built by the Cistercian monks of Waverley Abbey. The barn holds a display of local and historic interest as well as hosting special events and exhibitions. Open to the public on selected days. Visit http://www.wanboroughgreatbarn.co.uk/ for details. Victorian School Room - 39½ Castle Street, Guildford GU1 3UQ
This building began life as the Providence Chapel built in 1816. Today it houses a specially recreated Victorian schoolroom and playroom, available for school visits by appointment.

Operating as usual

Have you visited Matisse, drawing with scissors, Late Works 1950 - 1954 a Hayward Touring exhibition on display at ?The ...
24/02/2023

Have you visited Matisse, drawing with scissors, Late Works 1950 - 1954 a Hayward Touring exhibition on display at ?

The French painter, sculptor and designer, Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was one of the 20th century's most influential artists.
The exhibition features 35 posthumous prints of the now famous cut-outs produced by Henri Matisse in the last four years of his life, when confined to bed by ill health.

Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 4.30pm (last entry 4.30pm)

Picture credit: Henri Matisse, Nu bleu I-IV, 1952 (lithographic reproduction, 1958). © Succession H. Matisse/ DACS 2022

Soldiers of Surrey, Stories from The Queen’s Royal Regiment a display from the Surrey Infantry Collection can be seen at...
23/02/2023

Soldiers of Surrey, Stories from The Queen’s Royal Regiment a display from the Surrey Infantry Collection can be seen at .
Guildford is the home of England's oldest infantry regiment: The Queen's Royal Regiment. It was raised in 1661 by King Charles II to garrison Tangier in Morocco. This case display introduces the Regiment, and brings us the stories which connect it to Guildford and the people who live here.
The current display features Sergeant Bob Hatcher, a Guildford born soldier who served in the Malayan Emergency during his National Service.
Wednesday - Saturday 12noon - 4.30pm (last entry 4pm).

Image credit: Sgt Bob Hatcher, https://orlo.uk/uhWdI

We know there are lots of local football fans in Guildford. We had a great turn out for our recent Coffee Time Talk abou...
22/02/2023

We know there are lots of local football fans in Guildford. We had a great turn out for our recent Coffee Time Talk about football in the town. Come and chat with president Dennis May on Friday 3 March at . Share your memories, bring along your photos and swap stories with Dennis and other fans. Drop in anytime from 2pm - 4pm. Free entry.

Image: Reproduced courtesy of Guildford City Football Club.

Our Brew Shop stocks unique gifts, including those hand crafted locally by Starlight Silver. Kate MacKenzie makes use of...
21/02/2023

Our Brew Shop stocks unique gifts, including those hand crafted locally by Starlight Silver. Kate MacKenzie makes use of recycled silver and her individual pieces are handmade in Surrey.

Kate works with recycled pure silver (99% purity) and uses sterling silver (92.5%) chains and findings. The chains are adjustable and all beads are either Swarovski crystal or sterling silver.

Kate’s pieces are not mass produced; they are unique and handmade. Supporting a local crafts person means a lot to the artist, the community and to us. Available at the Brew House Shop, Guildford House Gallery. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4.30pm.

Bring your school to Matisse, drawing with scissors, Late Works 1950 - 1954 a Hayward Touring exhibition on display at ....
20/02/2023

Bring your school to Matisse, drawing with scissors, Late Works 1950 - 1954 a Hayward Touring exhibition on display at .

Visits are free and include a teachers’ pack giving suggestions on how the exhibition can be used to support your subject teaching from art and design through to drama and English, maths and science.

Book a free visit for Tuesday to Friday by contacting [email protected] , 01483444751

https://orlo.uk/YtQ9I

Picture credit: Henri Matisse, L’Escargot (The Snail) 1952-53 (lithographic reproduction, 1958). © Succession H. Matisse/ DACS 2022.

One of our many visitors to Guildford Museum this week has left something very precious behind. We would really like to ...
18/02/2023

One of our many visitors to Guildford Museum this week has left something very precious behind. We would really like to reunite this bunny with its owner. We have nicknamed her Floppsy and she is currently keeping our shop staff company. If you have lost a bunny or may know it’s owner, please make contact with us on 01483 444751 or via this page. Visit Guildford Experience Guildford Visit Surrey

Keep up to date with what’s on for families at  and our other venues by signing up to our Family Fun Newsletter mailing ...
17/02/2023

Keep up to date with what’s on for families at and our other venues by signing up to our Family Fun Newsletter mailing list.

You can fill out a form at one of our venues or email [email protected] and we will send one out for you to complete and return.

The Collections team at  look after and display objects in unusual places. Last week we visited  on the M25 to clean, an...
16/02/2023

The Collections team at look after and display objects in unusual places. Last week we visited on the M25 to clean, and condition check objects we have displayed there. These include items from Medieval pottery kilns discovered during excavations in the 1990s, prior to construction of the service station.

Visit  for some  and see our Football! exhibition. Try out our family fun activities including design and draw your own ...
15/02/2023

Visit for some and see our Football! exhibition.
Try out our family fun activities including design and draw your own club badge and football kit, which we can put on display for you.
Open Wed – Sat 12noon – 4.30pm (last entry 4.00pm).
https://orlo.uk/Brmkh

The Brew House Shop stocks a range of gifts – why not drop by for a browse? We’re open Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4.30pm...
14/02/2023

The Brew House Shop stocks a range of gifts – why not drop by for a browse? We’re open Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4.30pm.

Looking for some  during ?Visit  to see Matisse, drawing with scissors, Late Works 1950-1954a Hayward Touring exhibition...
13/02/2023

Looking for some during ?

Visit to see Matisse, drawing with scissors, Late Works 1950-1954
a Hayward Touring exhibition, also Collages and Cut-outs a display by and inspired by Matisse’s famous cut-outs.

Children’s activity on 14 February: make a cut-out Valentine’s card. Follow this link to find out more

https://orlo.uk/4ZynN

Free activity sheets are available in the gallery too.
Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4.30pm (last entry 4.00pm).

Looking for something to do at ? Join our  inspired Family Fun session at  on Tuesday 14 February from 11am to 12noon. W...
11/02/2023

Looking for something to do at ? Join our inspired Family Fun session at on Tuesday 14 February from 11am to 12noon.

We’ll have a tour of Matisse, drawing with scissors, Late Works 1950-1954
a Hayward Touring exhibition and then make a card inspired by Matisse’s cut-out technique. Perhaps you’ll go for a Valentines card?

Suitable for children aged 7 plus. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free but please pre-book: [email protected] or 01483 444751

Have you found a mysterious archaeological object? Bring it to our Finds Identification Session on Saturday 11 February ...
10/02/2023

Have you found a mysterious archaeological object? Bring it to our Finds Identification Session on Saturday 11 February to learn more about it from Surrey and Hampshire Finds Liaison Officer, Simon Maslin. 11am to 1pm at Guildford House Gallery, 155 High Street.

By the early 20th century Guildford had held livestock and cattle markets for 700 years. This image of a busy cattle mar...
09/02/2023

By the early 20th century Guildford had held livestock and cattle markets for 700 years. This image of a busy cattle market on North Street, dating to 1896, would have been a commonplace scene at this time. In 1969 the market was moved to a purpose-built cattle market on Woodbridge Road, and then in 1972 to Slyfield where it remained until May 2000. This image is one of many in the Guildford Streets display at . Also available online: https://orlo.uk/TASU9

Have you made it to the  exhibition at  yet? Find out about local clubs old and new through photos, film, objects and me...
08/02/2023

Have you made it to the exhibition at yet? Find out about local clubs old and new through photos, film, objects and memories. If you have children or grandchildren, why not bring them along during next week and take part in our family friendly activities and games. ‘Football! Stories from the Beautiful Game in Guildford and Beyond’ is open Wednesday – Saturday 12noon – 4.30pm (last entry 4pm). Free entry.

In the next few weeks there will be lots of new gifts arriving at the Brew House Shop. Many products are unique with lim...
07/02/2023

In the next few weeks there will be lots of new gifts arriving at the Brew House Shop. Many products are unique with limited stock. Keep your eyes peeled for our Fair Trade, plastic free and handmade ranges arriving in the next few weeks.

Available at the Brew House Shop, in the courtyard of Guildford House. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 4.30pm.

We have a great community exhibition ‘Collages and Cut-outs’ currently on display at . These pictures were created by He...
06/02/2023

We have a great community exhibition ‘Collages and Cut-outs’ currently on display at . These pictures were created by Headway Surrey and The halow project , inspired by Matisse, drawing with scissors, Late Works 1950-1954, a Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition.

Both displays are free and on show at Guildford House Gallery until 25 March. Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4.30pm (last entry 4pm).

https://orlo.uk/xu3Ti

Looking for something to do at ? Join our  inspired Family Fun session at  on Tuesday 14 February from 11am to 12noon. W...
03/02/2023

Looking for something to do at ? Join our inspired Family Fun session at on Tuesday 14 February from 11am to 12noon.

We’ll have a tour of Matisse, drawing with scissors, Late Works 1950-1954
a Hayward Touring exhibition,
and then make a card inspired by Matisse’s cut-out technique. Perhaps you’ll go for a Valentines card?

Suitable for children aged 7 plus. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free but please pre-book: [email protected] or 01483 444751.

https://orlo.uk/u2dYY

We enjoyed a sweet treat with our volunteers and  last week. For more information about The Friends of Guildford Museum ...
31/01/2023

We enjoyed a sweet treat with our volunteers and last week.
For more information about The Friends of Guildford Museum and the many and varied activities they carry out in support of , its collections and historic venues go to: https://orlo.uk/HQbS9

Looking for some creative art activities for your kids? We have fun activity sheets suitable for different ages at Matis...
30/01/2023

Looking for some creative art activities for your kids? We have fun activity sheets suitable for different ages at Matisse, drawing with scissors,
Late Works 1950-1954
a Hayward Touring exhibition now at .
Entry is free. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4.30pm (last entry 4pm).
https://orlo.uk/7Fz2j

 aka  was born in Daresbury, Cheshire on 27 January 1832. The Oxford based academic and renowned children’s author rente...
27/01/2023

aka was born in Daresbury, Cheshire on 27 January 1832. The Oxford based academic and renowned children’s author rented a house in Guildford, The Chestnuts, for his adult sisters, and visited them there frequently.

, just around the corner from The Chestnuts, has a small display of Dodgson related objects including this pull-along plaster toy cow played with by children of the family.

Charles Dodgson died in Guildford on 14 January 1898 and is buried in the Mount Cemetery in the town.

This photograph from the  collection shows The Picture Playhouse Cinema in 1938, which was located at the end of the Tun...
26/01/2023

This photograph from the collection shows The Picture Playhouse Cinema in 1938, which was located at the end of the Tunsgate arcade.

The Guildford Picture Playhouse was opened on 2nd January 1922 with 1,000 seats in stalls and circle levels. Attached to the cinema was a tearoom and dance hall.

he County Cinemas chain took over the cinema in 1929 and then in September 1939 Odeon Theatres Ltd took over management.

The Playhouse was eventually closed by the Rank Organisation on 12th June 1965 and demolished, and the Tunsgate Quarter shopping arcade was then built on the site.

The first Coffee Time Talk of 2023 is on Thursday 2 February at the Guildhall, High Street, Guildford. Dennis May, Presi...
25/01/2023

The first Coffee Time Talk of 2023 is on Thursday 2 February at the Guildhall, High Street, Guildford.

Dennis May, President of will be talking about the club’s 100 year history, his personal memories of football in the town and why the club is known as the .

Doors open at 10.30am for coffee. The talk starts at 11am and lasts about 50 minutes. Places are free but must be pre-booked.

Email [email protected] or phone 01483 444751.

Are you stuck for gifts to buy for a special someone? Our lovely Brew House Shop stocks lots of interesting and unusual ...
24/01/2023

Are you stuck for gifts to buy for a special someone? Our lovely Brew House Shop stocks lots of interesting and unusual gifts, cards and more. With items from local crafts people to Fair Trade – there’s plenty that will catch your eye!
Visit the shop at Guildford House. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4.30pm.

Our current exhibition at  is Matisse, drawing with scissors,  Late Works 1950 -1954  A Hayward Gallery Touring Exhibiti...
23/01/2023

Our current exhibition at is

Matisse, drawing with scissors,
Late Works 1950 -1954

A Hayward Gallery Touring Exhibition on show until 25 March.

The French painter, sculptor and designer, Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. This exhibition is a display of 35 posthumous prints of Matisse’s famous cut-outs produced in the last four years of his life, when confined to bed by ill health. It includes many of his iconic images, such as The Snail and the Blue Nudes shown here.

https://orlo.uk/2Pnmj

Open Tues – Sat; 10am – 4.30pm


Picture credit: Henri Matisse, Nu bleu I-IV, 1952 (lithographic reproduction, 1958). © Succession H. Matisse/ DACS 2022

It’s arrived and opens tomorrow at !Matisse, drawing with scissors,  Late Works 1950 -1954  A Hayward Gallery Touring Ex...
20/01/2023

It’s arrived and opens tomorrow at !

Matisse, drawing with scissors,
Late Works 1950 -1954

A Hayward Gallery Touring Exhibition on show from 21 January to 25 March.
The French painter, sculptor and designer, Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. This exhibition is a display of 35 posthumous prints of Matisse’s famous cut-outs produced in the last four years of his life, when confined to bed by ill health. It includes many of his iconic images, such as The Snail and the Blue Nudes.

Picture credit: Henri Matisse, L’Escargot (The Snail), 1952-53. Lithographic reproduction (1958) © Succession H. Matisse/ DACS 2022

Metal objects in Britain are first seen in the Bronze Age. Before this time tools, weapons and other objects were made f...
19/01/2023

Metal objects in Britain are first seen in the Bronze Age. Before this time tools, weapons and other objects were made from materials such as stone, bone, antler, and wood.

At first, access to metal was limited so stone objects such as this beautifully worked Early Bronze Age (about 2500 to 1200 BCE) tanged and barbed flint arrowhead (with a shaft and sharp hooks) were still being made at this time. It was found at Binton Field, Seale in 1933 and is currently on display at .

They think it’s all over! Oh no it’s not. Football! Stories From the Beautiful Game in Guildford and Beyond continues at...
18/01/2023

They think it’s all over! Oh no it’s not. Football! Stories From the Beautiful Game in Guildford and Beyond continues at until 18 March.

The display includes the story of this ball. It’s a replica of the one kicked across No Man’s Land by Private A.A. Fursey, East Surrey Regiment, on 1 July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. He was a member of 6th Platoon, B Company which explains the markings on the ball.

Open Wednesday to Saturday 12noon – 4.30pm (last entry 4pm).


Image courtesy of the Trustees of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and Queen’s Regiment Museum Maintenance Fund.

Visit our Brew House shop and find something unique for yourself or a friend! Stocking a range of cards, gifts and seaso...
17/01/2023

Visit our Brew House shop and find something unique for yourself or a friend! Stocking a range of cards, gifts and seasonal decorations you’ll be sure to find plenty of treats. Our products are unique and support Fair Trade and skilled crafts people.

If you’re looking for an unusual gift, this is the place to find it. The shop is in the Courtyard of Guildford House and is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4.30pm.

We’re busy installing exhibitions at . The display Collages and Cut-outs, by Headway Surrey  and The halow project  is i...
16/01/2023

We’re busy installing exhibitions at .

The display Collages and Cut-outs, by Headway Surrey and The halow project is inspired by Matisse, drawing with scissors, Late Works 1950-1954, a Hayward Touring exhibition from the Southbank Centre, London.

It is a display of 35 lithographic prints of Matisse’s famous cut-outs. is known for his use of bright colours, and we think the groups we worked with have really captured this in their work.

The exhibition opens on 21 January

https://orlo.uk/t3iyP

Have you found a mysterious archaeological object? Bring it to our Finds Identification Session on Saturday 14 January t...
13/01/2023

Have you found a mysterious archaeological object? Bring it to our Finds Identification Session on Saturday 14 January to learn more about it from Surrey and Hampshire Finds Liaison Officer, Simon Maslin. 11am to 1pm at Guildford House Gallery, 155 High Street.

Now that Christmas is over, we are changing our stock in the Brew House Shop. Pop in to find unusual crafts, gifts, card...
12/01/2023

Now that Christmas is over, we are changing our stock in the Brew House Shop. Pop in to find unusual crafts, gifts, cards and wrapping paper. We try to source our goods from fair trade and local suppliers, as well as local crafts people.

In the courtyard of Guildford House. Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am - 4.30pm.

We had a great time recently with Headway Surrey and The halow project  working on artworks for display at . Participant...
11/01/2023

We had a great time recently with Headway Surrey and The halow project working on artworks for display at .

Participants used the technique of drawing with scissors, made famous by Henri Matisse, to create work inspired by . See their work in Collages and Cut-outs from 21 January.

Beat  blues with a visit to . This watercolour of the museum front dates to the early 20th century. It was painted by He...
10/01/2023

Beat blues with a visit to .

This watercolour of the museum front dates to the early 20th century. It was painted by Henry James Sage (1868-1953) who was born in Kensington, then moved to Guildford and began to produce drawings of the surrounding villages, some of which were reproduced in the book Some West Surrey Villages (1901) by E.A. Judge.

Address

Guildford House, 155 High Street
Guildford
GU13AJ

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+441483444751

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Guildford Heritage Services care for a wide range of historic buildings within the borough, enabling residents and visitors to value, find connection with and be inspired by the past. We aim to ensure they are available for everyone to enjoy now and in the future.

Guildford Museum - Castle Arch, Quarry Street, Guildford GU1 3SX. At Guildford Museum we work with local people and organisations to collect, record and care for the borough’s heritage collections and to promote understanding, enjoyment and engagement with that heritage through access and learning for all. The museum is set in a series of historic buildings just a couple of minutes’ walk from Guildford High Street, and is full of charm and interest. Our displays take you from the prehistoric era up to the 20th century. We have regularly changing exhibitions so there’s always something new to see. Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm (last admission 4.45pm) FREE ENTRY.

Guildford Castle - Castle Street, Guildford GU1 3SX. Guildford Castle is a concrete link to the town’s past and provides a context for Guildford’s early importance and development. A visit to the castle will give you the chance to walk in the footsteps of our predecessors - head to the top of the Great Tower for a 360 degree panoramic view of Guildford and the beautiful surrounding countryside. Opening times: April to Sept: 10am to 5pm daily (last admission 4.30pm). Oct and March: Sats andSuns only, 11am to 4pm (last admission 3.30pm). Adults £3.50, Child/Conc £2.00.

Guildford House - 155 High Street, Guildford GU1 3AJ. At Guildford House Gallery we aim to provides a lively cultural focus for residents and visitors to the town, presenting varied programmes of visual art and craft within a historic house. Guildford House also houses the Tourist Information Centre providing a central point of information for exploration of the borough and county. Opening times: Mon to Sat: 10am to 4.45pm, Sun: 11am to 4pm (May - Sept) FREE ENTRY. The Brew House is located in the courtyard of Guildford House, and shows exhibitions by emerging artists.

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St Luke's Heritage Project Great Barn of Wanborough The Cobbe Collection Shere Village - Shere Delight dot com The Hockey Museum The Museum of Military Medicine Farnborough Air  Sciences Trust Association FASTmuseum Mercedes-Benz World The Brooklands Concorde Brooklands Museum Motorcycle Team Art Gallery  Picture Framing Alan Kluckow Fine Art Haslemere Educational Museum Trentham Art