Guildford’s Town Guides are busy planning their series of walks for the summer to help residents and visitors to the town explore their local surroundings and learn about Guildford’s rich history.

Back in 1982, Matthew Alexander’s History of Guildford classes produced the first town guides, and since then thousands of people have been taken on guided walks around the town, school groups have enriched their project work and thousands of pounds have been raised for charity. The walks are free, and point out features of Guildford that are frequently overlooked. They last approximately one and a half hours at a leisurely pace.

From May to September each year you can take the History of Guildford walk on Mondays at 11am or Wednesdays and Sundays at 2.30pm. There is a Thursday evening walk at 7pm too until the end of August. There is no booking needed, just meet under Tunsgate Arch in the High Street.

At the end of June, as part of the Guildford Summer Festival, the number and variety of walks increases to include Kings Worthies and Scoundrels; St Nicolas and Bury Fields; Public Art; Guildford’s old Industries; Hidden Guildford; The Guildhall and Guildford House; Ghosts and Legends; The River Wey and St Catherine’s; Lewis Carroll’s Guildford and the Lewis Carroll family graves.

The Guildford Town Guides can also be booked for private tours for clubs and societies and are flexible to take into account visitors individual interests and access needs - and for this a donation is suggested of £2 per person The Guides love of history and of Guildford is evident as they paint verbal pictures of times gone by and explain some strange sights that regular visitors to the town take for granted – such as why there is a very large and ornate crown on the front of the NatWest building!

Town Guide Barbara Winkworth said:-

“I love sharing the joy of living in such a bustling, lively and historic town, I feel very proud of it”.

Experienced guide Hugh Anscombe added:-

“Guildford’s history is fascinating, and there are lots of amusing anecdotes to tell too!”

Each town guide will admit to their own ‘chief fascination’ about Guildford and its history. These include St Mary’s Church, where the town began; the beautiful view from Abbot’s Hospital down the High Street with the green Mount beyond; the ancient Guildhall with its overhanging clock, the medieval Undercroft, the Castle; the ‘wow’ factor of the castle grounds in full bloom, Guildford House with its courtyard, intricate ceilings and carved staircase; the Lewis Carroll connection and the peaceful riverside with its colourful barges passing through the lock.

The Town Guides describe the thrill of anticipation waiting under Tunsgate Arch to see how many will be on their walk that day – and groups can be as few as 4 people or sometimes over 20 people! The Guides revel in the fact that each group of visitors has different interests so the questions can never be predicted – they welcome old Guildfordians on the tours as they admit to often learning something new themselves!.

Town Guides old and new enjoy meeting the varied groups of people who go on the walks and hail from all over the world. Tailor made tours booked for groups have included retired vets on an annual reunion, students from the Law College and policemen from Guildford’s twin town of Freiburg – and of course many school children from the area have enjoyed studying Guildford and its history for project work.

Gillian Moulton and Valerie Bale, both experienced Town Guides, recall “a group of bright eyed, bushy tailed 8 years olds, who were really keen as they had been so well prepared by teacher beforehand” and Tessa Johnson recalls “With one school group we were taking a ‘picnic break’ down by the river when I suddenly spotted kingfishers flying in and out of their nests on the opposite bank – so that walk became history and nature study combined”

Town Guide Pauline Surrey adds

“We see ourselves as enthusiastic ambassadors, both for our town and for our beautiful county of Surrey”. The Guides certainly do their bit for local tourism, and encourage residents to go out and explore the heritage on their own doorstep!

Ever since the Guides first formed in 1982 they have consisted of knowledgeable individuals keen to share their knowledge and love of Guildford. The group was founded by Marjorie Williams, who is still involved with the group today. Marjorie was awarded a MBE in 2008 for Services to Heritage and the Community of Guildford – a well deserved recognition for the miles she has walked in the last 30 years, bringing Guildford’s history to life.

To join in one of the walks visit www.guildfordwalks.org.uk or contact Guildford Tourist Information Centre on 01483 444333 – and this contact number is also where you can book tailor made walks for your own group. Matthew Alexander’s History of Guildford classes still form the induction of new town guides, and details can be obtained from Guildford’s Heritage Services on 01483 444751.

We are back with free walks during this year's Guildford Summer Festival.  Please come and join us for a guided walk.  The schedule can be found under our Information section.

Have a look at the Guildford Summer Festival website for festival news.