Guildford is the capital of Surrey, but you might be surprised as to its status. As any good Guildford property finder (buying agent) will inform you, although it is often considered a city due to its size and imposing cathedral, it remains a stunning town in the most spectacular location in the heart of Surrey.
With excellent transport links, great schools and further education, popular activities, vibrant culture, beautiful villages and architecture, Guildford and its surrounding villages are a popular tourist destination and a great place to live, work, and study.
In the blog below, I have summarised, at a high level, the best of Guildford.
However, when it comes to finding the perfect house, it is helpful to note that a great many over £3,000,000 never make the internet and therefore employing a Guildford property finder, such as Rowallan Exclusive Property Buying Agents, will save you time and money, ensuring that you shortcut the journey to your new home.
Natural Beauty
Guildford is a charming town with a rich history and plenty of green spaces. The town is located on the River Wey and has several parks and gardens, such as the Castle Grounds, which offer stunning views of Guildford Castle and the surrounding countryside.
In addition to the Surrey Hills, a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, there are several other nearby natural areas worth exploring.
These include Newlands Corner, a popular viewpoint with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, and Box Hill near Dorking, known for its stunning views and a popular spot for cycling and hiking.
The countryside surrounding Guildford is also dotted with several picturesque villages, such as Shere and Albury, which offer a glimpse into traditional English rural life.
These villages are often used as filming locations for movies and TV shows due to their charming architecture and idyllic settings. A Guildford property finder such as Rowallan Buying Agents can specifically help you find a home in one of these very special locations.
The Surrey Wildlife Trust manages several nature reserves for those interested in wildlife, such as nearby Chobham Common and Wisley and Ockham Commons.
These reserves are home to various plant and animal species, including rare birds, butterflies, and reptiles.
Rich History
Guildford has a rich and varied history, dating back to the Roman era when it was known as ‘Ad Flexum’. The city has been fought over several times and, just like today, has been an important trading centre for centuries.
Guildford’s Roman history dates back to the 1st century AD when it was an important town on the London to Chichester road. The remains of a Roman villa were found in 1825 near the River Wey.
In the 6th century, Guildford was a Saxon settlement known as ‘Gyldeforda’. It was an important trading centre and the site of a royal mint.
Interestingly, In the 11th century, Guildford was part of the lands granted to William the Conqueror after the Norman Conquest. William the Conqueror’s son, William Rufus, built a castle in the town that remains a popular attraction today.
During the medieval period, Guildford became an important market town and centre of the wool trade. As a result, the town was granted a Royal Charter in 1257, which gave it the right to hold a weekly market and an annual fair.
The town was fought over several times and was the site of a battle in 1643 known as the Battle of Guildford Courthouse between the Parliamentary forces, led by Sir William Waller, and the Royalist forces, led by Sir Ralph Hopton.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Guildford continued to flourish. It was heavily bombed during World War II, but many historic buildings survived.
Historic And Vibrant Cities
Shere
Shere is a stunning Surrey Hills village just a few miles from Guildford. The village is famous for its traditional English cottages, winding streets, and beautiful countryside. Shere has been used as a filming location for several movies, including The Holiday and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.
Godalming
Godalming is a historic market town just a few miles south of Guildford.
The town has a rich history dating back to the Saxon era, and it’s known for its beautiful architecture, including several historic buildings such as the Godalming Museum, the Pepperpot Tower, and the Old Town Hall.
Farnham
Farnham is a beautiful town located just a few miles west of Guildford. The town is famous for its Georgian architecture, including the stunning Farnham Castle, surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Farnham is also home to several historic landmarks, including the St. Andrew’s Parish Church and the Farnham Museum.
Haslemere
Haslemere is a charming town in the South Downs National Park, just a few miles southwest of Guildford.
The town is surrounded by beautiful countryside, including the Devil’s Punch Bowl, and is known for its stunning architecture and historic landmarks, including the Haslemere Museum and St. Bartholomew’s Church.
Albury
Albury is a beautiful village near Shere and just a few miles east of Guildford.
The village is surrounded by stunning countryside, including the North Downs and the Surrey Hills, and is known for its historic landmarks, including the Albury Park Mansion and St. Peter and St. Paul Church used in Four Weddings and a Funeral
Cranleigh
Cranleigh, believed to be the largest village in the UK, is located just a few miles southeast of Guildford, in the heart of the Surrey Hills.
The village is surrounded by beautiful countryside, known for its traditional English cottages, independent shops, and cafes.
Cranleigh is also home to the Cranleigh Arts Centre, which hosts various events, including music concerts, theatre performances, and art exhibitions.
Shamley Green
Shamley Green is a picturesque village located just a few miles southwest of Guildford, surrounded by beautiful countryside.
The village is known for its historic buildings, including the St. Mary’s Church and the White Horse pub, which dates back to the 16th century.
Shamley Green has several walking and cycling routes, including the Greensand Way and the Downs Link.
Bramley
Bramley is just a few miles south of Guildford, surrounded by beautiful countryside. The village is known for its historic buildings, including the Bramley Village Hall and the St. Catherine’s Church, which dates back to the 13th century. Bramley is also home to several independent shops, cafes, and pubs, making it a popular destination for visitors.
All these villages and towns have their unique charm and beauty and are perfect for exploring if you’re looking to escape life’s hustle and bustle. So, whether you’re interested in historic landmarks, picturesque countryside, or quaint village life, there’s something for everyone in this part of Surrey.
Good transport links
Almost always top of a priority list for a Guildford property finder or buying agent is accessibly to schools and work. Guildford is well positioned with transport easily accessible and journey times to London impressively quick.
Car: Guildford is well-connected by road, with easy access to the M25, A3, and other major routes. There are several public car parks located around the town centre, as well as on-street parking options. However, traffic can be heavy during peak times, and parking can be limited.
Train: Guildford is served by a major railway station, which offers regular train services to London Waterloo, Gatwick Airport, Reading, Portsmouth, and other destinations. The train journey from Guildford to London Waterloo takes around 35 minutes, making it a popular option for commuters.
Air: The UK’s biggest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, are within 45 minutes of Guildford, providing international travel, whilst the nearby private airfields of Biggin Hill and Farnborough offer personal services.
Education
Guildford and the surrounding areas are home to several excellent schools, both state-funded and independent. Often high up on the list of priorities for a Guildford property finder for clients with children, schools near Guildford are as varied as they are excellent.
Below is a sample of some of the best schools:
Guildford High School
Guildford High School is an independent day school for girls in Guildford’s heart.
Royal Grammar School
The Royal Grammar School is an independent day school for boys in the centre of Guildford.
Tormead School
Tormead School is an independent day school for girls in Guildford.
George Abbot School
George Abbot School is a comprehensive co-educational school in Guildford.
Cranleigh School
Cranleigh School is an independent co-educational boarding school located in the village of Cranleigh.
Charterhouse School
Charterhouse School is an independent boarding school for boys in Godalming.
Interestingly, Charterhouse is reputed to have invented football, and The Old Carthusian Football team is the only school team to have won the English FA Challenge Cup.
St Catherine’s School
St Catherine’s School is an independent day and boarding school for girls in Bramley.
The Royal School
The Royal School is an independent day and boarding school for girls in Haslemere.
St Edmund’s School
St Edmund’s School is an independent day and boarding school for girls and boys in Hindhead.
King Edward’s School
King Edward’s School is an independent day and boarding school for boys in Witley.
Activities in and around Guildford
Guildford and the surrounding areas have plenty of family, children and adult activities catering to various interests. Below is a short but not exhaustive list.
Guildford Castle
Guildford Castle has been a popular tourist attraction since the 11th century. Visitors can explore the castle grounds, including the Great Tower, which offers panoramic views of Guildford and the surrounding countryside.
Surrey Hills
The Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers a large part of the region surrounding Guildford. In addition, many walking and cycling routes and horse riding, fishing, and bird-watching opportunities exist.
The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre is a popular performing arts venue in the heart of Guildford. It hosts various productions, including plays, musicals, and comedy shows.
Surrey Sports Park
The Surrey Sports Park is a staggeringly impressive, state-of-the-art facility offering various sports and fitness activities. There are indoor and outdoor facilities for activities such as rugby, football, swimming, tennis, and rock climbing. You’ll often find Harlequins rugby team training there.
Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village
The Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village is in Compton, just outside Guildford. It is home to the Watts Gallery, which showcases the works of the Victorian artist George Frederic Watts, a pottery studio, a tea shop, and a sculpture garden.
Silent Pool Distillery
The Silent Pool Distillery is located in the village of Albury, just outside Guildford. Visitors can tour the distillery, learn about gin-making, and sample the award-winning gin.
Guildford Lido
The Guildford Lido is a popular outdoor swimming pool open in summer. It has a 50m Olympic-sized pool, a children’s pool, and a range of water slides and features.
G-Live
G-Live is a multi-purpose entertainment venue located in the heart of Guildford. It opened in 2011 and has become a popular music, comedy, theatre, and other live events destination.
G-Live hosts various events throughout the year, including concerts by famous artists, comedy shows, theatre productions, and dance performances. The venue also hosts conferences, corporate events, and other private functions.
River Wey
The River Wey Navigation is a historic waterway that runs through Guildford. You can take a boat trip along the river or rent a canoe or kayak to explore the waterway at your own pace.
Newlands Corner
Newlands Corner is a popular beauty spot located just outside Guildford. It offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and is a popular spot for walking, picnicking, and wildlife watching.
Shopping
Guildford has an impressive range of individual shops mixed with the usual high street chains. Smart indoor shopping centres house more prestige shopping, and there are also archetypal out-of-town retail parks.
Guildford also enjoys various weekly and monthly food markets with fresh fruit, vegetables and bread, along with home-cooked produce.
There are an abundance of supermarkets, restaurants and pubs of all qualities including both an Ivy Brasserie and an Ivy Asia.
Buying a house in Guildford and the surrounding villages
Guildford has a diverse range of housing, from predominantly Victorian to more modern and from apartments to detached housing, with stunning views over the surrounding countryside. The town centre enjoys many new builds or newly refurbished homes dotted amongst older characterful housing.
Further afield, much of the housing is particularly picturesque, especially in villages such as Shere. Many private roads with more extensive detached housing stock, as in much of Surrey, will often sell without reaching the open market.
Whether you’re looking for a spacious detached house in the countryside or a compact terraced cottage in the heart of a city, using a Guildford property finder for renting or buying a home in Guildford is sensible. It is also incredibly informative, time-saving and could save you considerable money.
Using a Guildford Property Finder or Buying Agent
There are several reasons why you might consider using Rowallan Buying Agents as a Guildford property finder when buying a house in Guildford and the surrounding villages:
Expertise and Knowledge
A Guildford property finder is an expert in the local property market and can provide valuable insights and advice on buying a house in Guildford. They have in-depth knowledge of the local property market, including prices, trends, and potential risks or issues.
Time-Saving
Searching for the perfect property can take time and effort. A Guildford property finder can save you time by handling the property search and selection process on your behalf, arranging to preview, and then accompany you on selected viewings.
Access to off-market properties
Property buying agents and Guildford property finders will have access to properties that are not publicly listed, including those that still need to be added to the market or are being sold privately.
This gives you a better chance of finding your ideal property before it becomes available to the broader market.
Negotiation Skills
Property search agents can also negotiate on your behalf, using their knowledge of the local market and property values to help you secure the best price and terms for your new home.
Reduced Stress
Buying a house can be stressful, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the area or the property market. By using a Guildford property finder, you can reduce the stress of the buying process by having an experienced professional guide you every step of the way.
Overall, using Rowallan Buying Agents as a Guildford property finder when buying a house in Sussex will be incredibly rewarding, particularly if you seek a stress-free and efficient buying experience with access to off-market properties, expert advice and guidance and perhaps most of all, to save yourself a considerable amount of money.