Guildford was originally an Anglo-Saxon town called Golden Forde.
The town was named after the Monastery at the sandy crossing of the 'River Wey'.

By the mid 10th century Guildford had become the commercial centre for Surrey. It even minted it's own coins which are displayed in the 'Guildford Museum'. Located behind the Museum is 'castle grounds' and the recently restored mid 12th century castle keep. The grounds were formally laid out as gardens to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1888. The bowling green dates from the early 1700's.

Guildford had become a wealthy wool town by the reign of Henry III, receiving a charter in 1257 as confirmation of the County Town for Surrey.

In 1653 the Wey navigation opened linking Guildford to the River Thames and London.
It was later extended to the South Coast and helped maintain prosperity.
In the Summer months boat hire and guided tours are available from Guildford 'Boat House'.

A major coaching town in the mid-18th century, being strategically located on the London to Portsmouth route.
The only remaining coaching Inn is the 'Angel Posting House and Livery', in continious use since 1522 with its fare share of ghosts and a haunted room.

A 'tour' of this historic Surrey town with it's picturesque cobbled 'High Street' is well worthwhile.
The impressive 'Guildhall' with its famous 1683 clock is located in the High Street opposite Tunsgate.
Also in the High Street is the 17th century 'Guildford House Gallery' holding exhibitions and events.

Guildford's general market is held on Friday and Saturday in North Street.
On the first Tuesday of each month a farmers market take place in the High Street.

At the top of the High Street stands 'Abbot's Hospital' founded in 1619 by local George Abbot when he was the then Archbishop of Canterbury. A little further on is the 'Royal Grammar School' built in 1553.

'Lewis Carroll' (Rev. Charles Dodgson) lived with his seven sisters at 'The Chestnuts', located alongside Guildford Castle, from 1868 to his death in 1898. Here in 1871 he wrote much of 'Alice Through The Looking Glass'.

The 'Cathedral', 'University', 'College', 'Theatres', 'Sports and Leisure', 'Cinema', 'Lido', 'Night Clubs' and 'Restaurants', all help to make Guildford a lovely and lively 'Place to Visit'. The surrounding countryside has been designated an area of outstanding beauty with considerable areas of the 'Surrey Hills' open to 'Public access'.

The three Rotary Clubs in Guildford, to mark Rotary International's Centenary, gifted to the town the pavement bronze discs marking the route of an Historic Trail. The free trail map and historic information leaflet are available from the Tourist Information Centre in Tunsgate and 'Guildford Museum' in Quarry Street.
Use this link for details on other 'Town walks'