Discover what events are on across our heritage buildings.
Ongoing events
People Watching by Rebecca Holton
Date: Saturday 4 July until Saturday 3 October 2026 Time: During opening hours Admission: Free Location: Guildford House Gallery
Winner of the 2025 Guildford House Open, award-winning artist Rebecca Holton presents 'People Watching', a solo exhibition featuring 25 original works. Through keen observation and a distinctive artistic style, Rebecca captures the small, often overlooked moments of everyday life. Her paintings explore chance encounters, familiar routines, and the people who pass through our shared spaces, encouraging viewers to pause and consider the stories unfolding around us.
Gertrude Jekyll in Surrey: Artist. Gardener. Collector
Date: Saturday 25 April - Saturday 24 October 2026 Time: During opening hours Location: Guildford Museum
Visit our exhibition to discover more about the remarkable life of Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932). Gertrude Jekyll was famous for her writing, garden designs, being an artist, craftswoman, photographer, and a collector! She lived most of her life in Surrey and adored its countryside and rural ways of life, creating a collection of objects from rural cottage life.
Family Fun! Wheels of Time
Date: Ongoing Time: During opening hours Location: Guildford Museum
Join Roamin' Rex as he travels through time (and around Surrey)! Collect a badge from each participating museum, including ours. For more details, visit Surrey Wheels of Time (opens new window)
The Longworth Discovery Lounge
Date: Second Friday of every month Time: 12:00pm-4:00pm (last entry 3:30pm) Location: Guildford Museum
Our Discovery Lounge is the place for history enthusiasts to explore our local history resources. We have many resources to use for research and enquiries. Guildford Inhabitants: our digital compendium is available to search and provides snapshots of town centre inhabitants from the 1800s to present day. We have knowledgeable volunteers, on hand to help with your queries. The Longworth Discovery Lounge is a partnership between the Friends of Guildford Museum and Guildford Museum. Named in memory of Andrew Longworth, former employee of Guildford Museum.
Soldiers of Surrey: A Display from the Surrey Infantry Collection
Date: Ongoing Time: During opening hours Location: Guildford Museum
The Surrey Infantry Collection displays personal artifacts and technical objects from D-Day, as the 80th Anniversary took place on 6 June 2024.
Toys Through Time Workshop
Date: Wednesday-Friday Time: 10:00am-12:00pm Location:Guildford Museum
This workshop includes:
travel through time: see the toys and games from the early 1800s up to the 21st century in the Childhood gallery Exhibition
a handling session: thinking about the different materials used for original toys
a craft activity: making a toy from the Victorian era
a chance to play with replica toys
Up to 30 children per session. Lunch space is available if required. To book or for further details including availability or adaptations for older students, email learning@guildford.gov.uk
July
Prehistory in Your Hands
Date: Friday 31 July Time: 12:00pm-2:00pm Location: Guildford Museum
Have you ever held a mammoth's tooth in your hand? Now's your chance in this event where you can also explore lots of other prehistoric objects. Part of the Festival of Archaeology. Suitable for ages 5+; adults to accompany all children. Drop-in is free and donations are welcomed.
Join us at the Guildhall in Guildford High Street to make your own judge's wig, dress up and pose for a selfie. Suitable for ages 6+; parents to accompany all children. Drop-in is free and donations are welcomed.
Fabulous Flowers and Brilliant Bugs
Date: Thursday 13 August Time: 12:00pm-2:00pm Location: Guildford Museum
Make yourself some lovely blooms to take home, inspired by famous local gardener Gertrude Jekyll. Create some wonderful insects too. Suitable for ages 3+; adults to accompany all children. Drop-in is free and donations are welcomed.
Musical Craft and Storytime
Date: Friday 21 August Time: 10:30am-11:15am Location: Guildford Museum
We're 'reading to the beat' in this fun session. Listen to music-inspired stories and make your own musical instrument to take home. Suitable for ages 2+; adults to accompany all children. First-come, first-served. Drop-in is free and donations are welcomed.
Relaxed Opening at Guildford Castle
Date: Tuesday 25 August Time: 10:30am-11:30am Admission: Admission: £2.50 per child, accompanying adults free Location: Guildford Castle
A special relaxed opening of Guildford Castle for families with children who have autism or sensory needs. Explore the castle at your own pace, enjoy spectacular views from the tower, and take part in a fun craft activity where kids can design their own shield to take home.
September
Judge-ment Day
Date: Saturday 12 September Time: 10:00am-12:00pm Location: Guildford Guildhall
Join us at the Guildhall in Guildford High Street to make your own judge's wig, dress up and pose for a selfie. Suitable for ages 6+; parents to accompany all children. Drop-in is free and donations are welcomed.
October
Finds Identification Sessions
Date: Second Saturday every two months (from October 2025) Time: 10:00am-12:00pm Location: Guildford House Gallery
Have you come across an interesting archaeological object while out walking or using a metal detector? Bring your find to our Finds Identification Sessions, and find out more about it. Our Surrey Finds Liaison Officer, Simon Maslin will take a look.
