Location: Guildford
Top Things to do in Guildford
Countries
Top 7 Museums in Guildford, England
Guildford /ˈɡɪlfərd/ ( listen) is a large town in Surrey, England, United Kingdom located 27 miles (43 km) southwest of central London on the A3 trunk road midway between the capital and Portsmouth.
Restaurants in Guildford
1. Shalford Mill
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By Shipp_fi - Guildford, United Kingdom
National Trust volunteer (John) gave us a fascinating tour of the mill. Highly recommend this visit. Learnt so much and his enthusiasm was infectious.So that's where the expression "fair to middling" comes from!
2. Spike Heritage Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 214 reviews
We are open! All tours need to be pre-booked at least 3 days in advance. The Casual ward to the Guildford Union Workhouse was, and still is, known locally as The Spike. This is no ordinary visitor attraction but a unique visit to a time, place and a way of life for generations history often chose to forget. Prepare to be deeply moved as the tour guides escort you through an unforgettable Night at the Spike. 600 Casual wards were built in Britain, the Guildford Casual Ward is uniquely the only remaining with its working cells.
Reviewed By nickymay33 - Godalming, United Kingdom
Six retired teachers from the Guildford area, most of whom had not visited The Spike before, were treated to a guided tour conducted by Dave and TJ. School teachers are not always the easiest people to impress with a talk but this group unanimously agreed that the two volunteers combined to tell an interesting story of the lives of the inmates who were 'allowed' to either sleep for the night on payment of a penny or to work for a whole day in lieu of payment. Neither vagrants nor casuals were able to return within a month and had to find their next accommodation in other nearby towns. This visit illustrated the hardship suffered by the unfortunates who lived in the years before the welfare state came into being. The video shown was good backup for the guides' comments but undoubtedly the highlight of the tour was visiting the actual cells where the inmates slept and worked. The charitable trust which runs this historic gem is continuing to improve the visitor experience with additional information about the history of the workhouse which also stood on this site and which before being demolished became part of St Luke's Hospital. Do visit, knowing that your entrance fee will help to preserve this small part of Guildford's disappearing history.
3. The Pop-Up Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
A celebration of art and nature - also raising awareness of mental health and climate change. Feeling & Matter will exhibit the diverse creative output of the English painter, sculptor, picture restorer, writer, husband and father, John Rich. "An artist is both creator and creature of art, a product and producer of its history, the past to which the artist responds and the future for which he or she is responsible." John Rich, a contemporary of Peter Blake and David Hockney and exhibited alongside them, would go on to have critically successful one-man shows. However, he found the commercial art market too limiting and chose to follow his own path. Works include those on loan by Lord & Lady Levy. The adjoining garden complements the gallery and reflects the harmonious life-long relationship between the artist and his muse. Open July, August, September 2019. Saturdays & Sundays 12noon to 6pm. Other times by appointment. Examples of the artist's work can be seen at the website.
4. Watts Gallery - Artists' Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 451 reviews
Watts Gallery - Artists' Village is a unique Arts & Crafts gem nestled in the Surrey Hills. Discover Victorian paintings and sculpture in the historic Watts Gallery before treating yourself to lunch or a cream tea in the Tea Shop. Stroll to the nearby Grade-I listed Watts Chapel, taking in the beautiful woodlands and grounds, or find out more about the lives of our founders G F and Mary Watts on a tour of the artists' home, Limnerslease. Finally, discover art for sale in the Watts Contemporary exhibition in the Pottery Building along with a wide selection of gifts, books and homewares in the Shop.
Reviewed By gordonilla - Hillingdon, United Kingdom
It was an enjoyable visit, some great work on display in the different parts of the complex. There was a very enjoyable William Orpen exhibition showing alongside the permanent collection. They have a very good shop as well as an Artist in residence. The visit finished with a pleasant cup of tea in the cafe.
5. Shere Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
6. Guildford Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 35 reviews
Guildford Museum is housed in beautiful, historic buildings next to the Grounds of Guildford Castle. The exhibitions are free to visit and include a variety of changing exhibitions, plus a permanent collection of objects dating from prehistoric times.
7. Guildford House Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Y1093SLwalterh
This 17th Century Grade1 building is at top of the cobbled High St opposite Sainsbury’s, and it houses the Guildford tourist office,Art Gallery, Gift shop and tea rooms. The first occupants were John Childe a London solicitor, and wife Olive, who bought the place & built it for £100, in 1660, and is one of the oldest original buildings on the high st.
