Guildford is the county town of surrey. It is located 30 miles to the southwest of London at a point where the River Wey carves a gap through the North Downs. The Borough covers about 104 square miles and has a population of 126,479 with an extremely low unemployment rate. Guildford is an exceptionally beautiful Borough, containing rolling chalk downs, ancient woodland and a patchwork of fields and hedgerows. Approximately 70% of the Borough lies within green belt and much of the southern most rural parts are within the area known as the Surrey Hills, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
It is know for its historic High Street with its granite setts, overhanging Guildhall Clock and its view of the downs, which has remained relatively unchanged for centuries. It has one of the most successful retail centres in the country attracting large numbers of visitors to its town centre and picturesque rural villages.Guildford is also home to one of the finest 20th century universities – Surrey University, along with Guildford College and the College of Law at Guildford. It also has a magnificent cathedral.
Guildford is the regional administrative centre for the South East and a regional centre for business, education, shopping, culture and leisure. Over the past twenty years Guildford’s role has changed from that of a dormitory town for London to a strong and successful commercial centre in its own right. Much of the town’s new commercial development during this period has focused on the growth of the service sector. But more recently the economy has been shaped by the emerging new technology sector and by its role as the centre for regional government in the Southeast. The relocation of the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) to Guildford in 1996, followed by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) in 1999, has acted as a magnet for other regional bodies, including the University for Industry and English Heritage.
There is a wide range of sporting facilities in Guildford from privately owned health clubs to Guildford Borough Council facilities including Spectrum – one of the largest multi-facility leisure complexes in the UK. It also has three theatres: the Guildford Civic, Yvonne Arnaud and the Electric Theatre.
Transport
Guildford is located at the centre of a comprehensive communication network, which is highly accessible to UK, European and world markets. Central London is only 30 miles away and is connected to Guildford by excellent road and rail links.
Guildford has a direct road link to central London via the A3. The M25 is only 10 minutes away, providing access to the A1 and M1 northbound, the M3 southbound, the M2 and M20 eastbound and the M40 and M4 westbound.
The UK’s major international airports of Heathrow and Gatwick are both approximately 40 minutes away via the M25 motorway. These two airports collectively operate no fewer than 3000 domestic flights, 1,100 European flights and 110 long haul flights each day.
Guildford has excellent rail links to central London and Portsmouth including a non-stop service to London. Trains terminate at Waterloo Station home of the Eurostar service with direct access to the European mainland.
Economic History
The name Guildford is from the Saxon Word Glygdeforda, meaning “golden ford”. The Church tower of St Mary’s is a fine example of Saxon architecture and is reputedly the oldest building in modern Guildford. The wool industry developed in the 12th Century and in the 13th century Henry III installed Guildford as the County Town of Surrey forever.
The 17th Century was also a period of significant economic growth. The location of Guildford half way between London and the south coast meant the town became a popular overnight resting place for stagecoaches. Several coaching inns were built on the High Street, including the Angel Posting House and Livery, which survives from this era.
During this period, the River Wey navigation was completed, straightening the river’s corners and introducing locks to passage of barges from London to Guildford and greatly increasing profitability of local corn and timber trades.
The 19th Century brought the railways to Guildford and a further period of economic expansion. The railway also heralded the beginning of commuting, with people choosing to live in Guildford and work in London.
For more information about sponsorship contact the Strategic Projects Officer.
Strategic Projects Officer
Communications Services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
Tel: 01483 444335
Email: sponsorship@guildford.gov.uk