TOWN AND COUNTRY: Guildford & Shalford

With serene riverside walks, majestic historic sights and peaceful Surrey Hills strolls all on the doorstep, Guildford and its surrounding countryside and villages are among the most desirable places to live in Surrey

- James Knighton

From the seasonal splendour of the flower displays at the castle grounds and the striking town clock to serene stretches of the River Wey and spectacular Surrey Hills vistas, there are iconic scenes everywhere you look in the historic market town of Guildford.

While heritage attractions, such as Guildford Castle, Guildford House Gallery, Guildford Museum and the Undercroft have had to close their doors in recent weeks, they have been actively sharing Guildford’s story across social media during lockdown – a reminder of how much there is for us all to look forward to once life returns to normal.

The town’s cobbled High Street has never been quieter, but Guildford still has many tales to tell. A good place to start is the many sculptures dotted throughout. From adventures with Lewis Carroll (whose links are remembered by statues of Alice Through The Looking Glass in the castle grounds and Alice with the white rabbit by the river) to The Surrey Scholar, which celebrates the town being home to University of Surrey, even regular visitors to Guildford can find something new on each visit.

Another prominent figure found at the top of the High Street is of George Abbot. A former Archbishop of Canterbury who was born in Guildford and educated at the Free Grammar School (now the Royal Grammar School), his tale takes us deeper down the, well, rabbit hole.

Abbot’s legacy can still be seen today. He founded Abbot’s Hospital at the top of the High Street in 1619, as a gift to the town of his birth. Across the street from Holy Trinity Church, it remains a place of shelter for the elderly of the town and its spectacular architecture is reminiscent of a mini Hampton Court Palace.