Guildford Museum is a free family-friendly museum located in a range of historic buildings beside Guildford Castle Grounds. Discover fascinating objects from Guildford and the surrounding area, from prehistoric times to the present day, alongside a programme of changing exhibitions.
Younger visitors can explore the museum with activity trail sheets and enjoy hands-on fun in the Scullery Playroom. The museum is also home to an outstanding collection of textiles, offering a unique insight into local craftsmanship, fashion and design through the centuries.
History of Guildford Museum
Guildford Museum is formed of four main buildings, with various smaller additions. These buildings are Castle Arch House, 48 Quarry Street, the gallery extension and the Muniment Room. These buildings date back from the mid-16th century to the 1920s.
Castle Arch House is partly built using the walls from the gatehouse to the castle. The sheriff of Guildford Castle built the gatehouse in 1256. You can still see the remains of the arch that was part of the gateway.
The museum buildings have had various uses over the years. Castle Arch House was a high-class family home but was later split into five cottages. For many years, a girls' school used 48 Quarry Street and where the Muniment Room was once a garage.
Image One: Watercolour of Museum front by Henry James Sage (1868 - 1953). Image Two: Opening of new museum building 1911.
Changing Exhibitions
Encore! Guildford's Theatre Stories
Saturday 14 November until Saturday 17 April 2027 Glimpse behind the curtain in a brand-new exhibition exploring Guildford's rich theatre heritage. Uncover stories of local theatres, performances, and the many people whose creativity and expertise bring productions to life, both on stage and behind the scenes.
Festive Opening Hours
You can check for the opening hours during the Christmas period here:
There are various car parks and on-street parking places in Guildford town centre. Find out more about Guildford's car parks.
Blue Badge holders can park at the metered parking almost opposite the museum in Quarry Street. There is a dropped kerb at the junction with Castle Street. Find out more about Blue Badge parking in Guildford.
On Foot
Guildford Museum is about 200 metres from the bottom of Guildford High Street.
The High Street is pedestrianised between the following times:
Monday to Friday: 11am to 4pm
Saturday: 9am to 6pm
Sunday: 12noon to 5pm
Public transport
Bus
Guildford Museum is about 500 metres from the Friary Bus Station. There is a step-free route across two roads and through White Lion Walk shopping centre.
Train
Guildford Museum is about 750 metres from Guildford Railway Station, on the South Western Railway line from London Waterloo to Portsmouth. There is a step-free route from the station across the River Wey into the town centre but with several roads to cross. This can be partially undercover by walking through The Friary and White Lion Walk shopping centres.
Our access guide will help you plan your visit to Guildford Museum. It gives details on how we can make your visit easier and more enjoyable especially if you are disabled or have particular access needs. We also want to let you know in advance about the things that we haven't yet been able to change to improve access.
The Scullery Playroom is a welcoming space designed especially for pre-school children to play, explore, and learn.
Inspired by the museum's historic collections, it offers a relaxed environment where young visitors can develop communication, language, numeracy, and motor skills through hands-on activities.
Children can enjoy imaginative role play in the toy kitchen with colourful fabric food, make a pizza and set the table for dinner, or try washing clothes the Victorian way.
Traditional nursery rhymes displayed around the room encourage interaction, while colouring and activity sheets provide opportunities for creativity.
There is also a cosy reading corner with themed books to enjoy, alongside displays of historic cooking and household equipment to discover.
Children must always supervised by an accompanying adult.
The Scullery Playroom at Guildford Museum is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and HM Government through the Welcome Back Fund.
Online exhibitions
Discover Guildford's history from home with our online exhibitions.
Georgian Women Portraits by John Russell
Guildford Borough Council's Heritage Service holds over 35 original works by John Russell. This includes 19 female portraits. This online display features all the female portraits and interesting information about the painting techniques.
