Why Guildford?
Guildford, with its cobbled High Street has all the historic charm of a country town. Tucked into a gap where the River Wey cuts through the North Downs, you’ll never lose sight of the rolling Surrey Hills. The town’s origins date back to Saxon times when it was known as ‘Gyldeforda’, or ‘golden ford’. As Surrey’s county town, Guildford offers everything you would expect from a city - first-class entertainment, excellent restaurants and some of the finest shopping in the South East.
Guildford High Street
Activities
To the west of Guildford lies the Puttenham Vale, a series of low sandy hills forming a narrow enclosed valley with fields, thick hedges, woodland, winding lanes and attractive scattered villages, overlooked by the spectacular tree-lined Hogs Back Ridge. To the east lies the densely wooded and sparsely populated rolling Ranmore and Hackhurst downland, overlooking the secluded Pipbrook and Tillingbourne valleys. These landscapes form part of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Both the Puttenham Vale and Ranmore and Hackhurst Downs form part of the North Downs, and the North Downs Way passes just south of Guildford, offering some excellent local walking opportunities combined with visits to local attractions such as the River Wey, Dapdune Wharf, Clandon Park and Loseley Park. There is a comprehensive network of local footpaths and bridleways, and there are narrow boat trips from Guildford Boat House.
The countryside around Guildford is dotted with timbered and tiled Surrey villages with traditional pubs, gardens, small country houses and village greens. Quality bed and breakfast and rural hotels offer a tranquil haven for those needing a break.
For more information on the activities you can enjoy in and around Guildford click on one of the following:
Planning your stay
Whether you come to Guildford for one or two nights or stay for a longer visit, click on the links below to find all you need to know about where to stay, eat and what other activities are on offer in the area.
