2015 – Museum Review Following the failure of a second lottery bid, announced in March 2015, the future of Guildford Museum seemed in doubt. (see History of Guildford Museum) A review was set up to decide the future of the museum, whether keep it and if so whether to move it elsewhere. A report by…
Month: October 2019
Friends of Guildford Museum
Visit the Friends of Guildford Museum website In 1994 Matthew Alexander, Curator of Guildford Museum, brought together several museum supporters with the aim of forming a Friends of the Museum. In the late 1980s and early 1990s the concept of friends organisations to fundraise for museums gathered steam across the country. After a bit of…
Surrey Archaeological Society
View the Surrey Archaeological Society website Almost 50% of the collections in Guildford Museum belong to the Surrey Archaeological Society, which founded the museum in 1898. Today we think of archaeology in terms of excavations but the Victorians took a broader view. The collections of the Surrey Archaeological Society contain not only Prehistoric, Roman and…
The Guildford Story
The Guildford Story Guildford is one of the most prosperous towns in the south-east and yet it has the feel of a country town. It has a cathedral and one of the best universities in the country but it is not a city. It is 30 miles from London but has escaped overdevelopment and is…
Heritage Open Days Events
Have fun with history – Heritage Open Weekend Would you like to take part in a day of historical fun in Guildford town centre? Like all towns, Guildford has been hit hard by COVID-19. We need to bring people back and our beautiful historic town centre provides a perfect opportunity. We want to start organising…
Guildford Museum Project – Background
What is purpose behind the project? The aim is to create a museum that enhances Guildford’s reputation as a great place to live, work and play. It will promote the town, improve cultural and community life, foster educational needs, boost tourism, support the town economy and help explore a sense of identity. The official vision…
Places to visit
Places to Visit The Guildford Tourist Office situated in Guildford House just up the High Street from the town clock is the best starting point for a visit to Guildford. There is plenty to see. Guildford is famous for its historic High Street paved with stone setts and its unique town clock overhanging the roadway. See Explore the Town Centre. The…
Guildford Castle
Read report on the Interpretation of Guildford Castle Guildford Castle is not your typical Hollywood fortress with battlements, turrets and draw bridges. The Victorians turned it into an attractive ornamental ruin set in a pristine municipal park. It was not until 2004 that displays were put in the castle to illustrate its history. We now…
Guildford Museum – history
Guildford Museum opened in 1898. It was an age of a social improvement when services we now take for granted were being introduced. These included state schools, hospitals, swimming baths, public parks, libraries and, of course, museums. Guildford Borough Council wanted to put itself on the map as a modern borough. In 1885 it purchased…
About Us
Strengthening Guildford’s future through its past We are the Guildford Heritage Forum, made up of groups and individuals promoting Guildford through the celebration of its past. Join Us! We take part in major heritage events Help develop our understanding of Guildford’s past through research and publications We campaign for the preservation and sensitive development of…