Guildford Museum

What's on at Guildford Museum

Explore our local history from the age of prehistoric man to modern life and times. Discover more about famous people connected with Guildford and Surrey. Including garden designer Gertrude Jekyll and author Lewis Carroll. Enjoy our unique collection of needlework and toys. As well as free displays and exhibitions, we have a programme of events and activities for all ages.

We are open Wednesday to Saturdays 12noon to 4.30pm and the last entry is at 4pm.

There are times when we're working hard to changeover our exhibitions, and this might mean that some spaces or displays may be closed. If you're visiting to see a specific display, you can call us on 01483 444751 to check that it's open.

Gertrude Jekyll in Surrey

Artist. Gardener. Collector

Dates: Saturday 25 April to Saturday 24 October 2026

Visit our exhibition to discover more about the remarkable life of Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932). Most famous for her garden designs and writing, Jekyll was also an artist, craftswoman, photographer, and 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.

Image courtesy of Grace Evans

Prehistory in Your Hands

Date: Friday 31 July
Time:12pm to 2pm

Have you ever held a mammoth's tooth in your hand? Now's your chance in this handling session 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
Free, donations welcome.

Fabulous Flowers and Brilliant Bugs

Date: Thursday 13 August
Time:12pm to 2pm

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.
Free, donations welcome.

Musical Craft and Storytime

Date: Friday 21 August
Time:10.30am to 11.15am

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.
Free, donations welcome.

Family Fun! Wheels of Time

Date: Ongoing

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 the month from 12pm until 4pm (last entry 3.30pm)

Our Discovery Lounge is the place for history enthusiasts to explore our local history resources. We have books, maps, records, and digital files to use for research and history enquiries. A digital compendium, Guildford Inhabitants, is available to search and provides a snapshot of town centre inhabitants from the 1800s to present day. The compendium has been compiled by a local historian using census returns, trade directories, electoral registers, and newspapers. Our knowledgeable volunteers, coordinated by the Friends of Guildford Museum, are 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

Dates: available during opening hours
Free entry

June 6, 2024, was the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history. Surrey Infantry Collection display D-Day +80 commemorated this anniversary of the Normandy landings. Explore the role of Surrey men in the Allied D-Day landings through personal artifacts and technical objects.

Image courtesy of the Surrey Infantry Collection.

On the Trail of Guildford's History

Be a history detective! Search Guildford Museum, Quarry Street and Guildford Castle Grounds to find clues which tell us about the past.