Guildford Guildhall

The Guildhall is a 16th century building of great historic interest. It was formerly a courtroom and council chamber. It is still a thriving part of the local community. The ground floor is of Tudor origin. It has beautifully preserved panelling. The guildhall houses the civic plate and many rare items. The front of the building is dominated by a magnificent and iconic bracket clock made in 1683.

The Guildhall is used for civic functions and is also available to hire.

Guildhall address is:

131 High Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 3AA

Gertrude Jekyll and Munstead Wood: the home of the 'artist-gardener'

This event is now fully booked

Date: Thursday 6 February 

National Trust Curator Dr Caroline Ikin will explore Jekyll's contribution to art, craft, and gardening through the home she created at Munstead Wood. Dr Ikin will share research undertaken as the house and garden are restored and Jekyll's legacy reappraised. 

This event is now fully booked.

Image: ©National Trust/Hugh Mothersole 

Sixty Years On 

Date: Thursday 6 March 

The 1960s were a decade of change in Britain and Guildford, and our Royal Grammar School epitomised the battle between old and new. This true, and often amusing, story is told by ex-pupil Keith Browning, an eyewitness to the turmoil. 

Image: © Keith Browning 

Exploring My Local Railways 

Date: Thursday 10 April 

To mark 200 years of the modern railway local historian Alan Norris will be tracing the development of railways in west Surrey where there is a multiplicity of lines. The talk will include objects from the early railways which can still be seen in situ. 

William Harvey, Ladies Wear Specialist 

Date: Thursday 1 May 

Nick Bale, Chairman of the Friends of Guildford Museum, will talk about William Harvey a key public figure locally in the first half of the 20th century. He founded Harvey's of Guildford department store and was an active mayor of Guildford leaving an enduring legacy in the form of Guildford Lido. 

The Red Rover Stagecoach 

Date: Thursday 5 June 

In the heyday of horse-drawn coaches in the 1800s, the Red Rover Stagecoach travelled daily from London to Southampton, changing horses at a network of coaching inns. When residents in Normandy told John Squier they remembered seeing the coach in the 1950s, he had to find out more.