Guides › England, UK › Guildford, UK
City guide

Guildford, UK

Guildford is a town in west Surrey, England, around 27 mi (43 km) southwest of central London. As of the 2011 census, the town had a population of about 77,000; it is the seat of the wider Borough of Guildford, which had around 151,359 inhabitants in 2024.

Type CityPopulation 77,000

Why go

  • Town in Surrey, England.
  • Served by Farnborough Airport (FAB).

History

Guildford is a town in west Surrey, England, around 27 mi (43 km) southwest of central London. As of the 2011 census, the town had a population of about 77,000; it is the seat of the wider Borough of Guildford, which had around 151,359 inhabitants in 2024. Its name is thought to derive from a crossing of the River Wey, a tributary of the River Thames, that flows through the town centre.

Where to stay

Perry Hill, Worplesdon, Guildford GU3 3RF, United Kingdom · asperionhotels.com
Indoor
7 Portland Terrace, Guildford GU1 3LT, United Kingdom · hotelscompany.net
Indoor
7 Albury St, Albury, Guildford GU5 9AG, United Kingdom · thedrummondatalbury.co.uk
Indoor
75 Dorking Rd, Chilworth, Guildford GU4 8NP, United Kingdom · thepercyarms.net
Indoor
Withies Ln, Compton, Guildford GU3 1JA, United Kingdom · thewithiesinn.com
Indoor
Blackheath Ln, Wonersh, Guildford GU5 0RF, United Kingdom · alexanderhotels.co.uk
Indoor
Abbot's Yard, Walnut Tree Cl, Guildford GU1 4RW, United Kingdom · roomspace.com
Indoor
Guildford Rd, Farnham GU9 9QJ, United Kingdom · premierinn.com
Indoor
Worplesdon Place Hotel, Perry Hill, Worplesdon, Guildford GU3 3RY, United Kingdom · worplesdonplace.co.uk
Indoor
Egerton Rd, Guildford GU2 7XZ, United Kingdom · ihg.com
Indoor
Parkway, Guildford GU1 1UP, United Kingdom · premierinn.com
Indoor
Angel Hotel, 91 High St, Guildford GU1 3DP, United Kingdom · angelpostinghouse.com
Indoor
Newland's Corner, Albury, Guildford GU4 8SE, United Kingdom · guildfordmanor.com
Indoor
Woodbridge Meadows, Woodbridge Rd, Guildford GU1 1BD, United Kingdom · travelodge.co.uk
Indoor
22 The Oval, Guildford GU2 7TS, United Kingdom · primelivingestates.com
Indoor
96 Wodeland Ave, Guildford GU2 4LD, United Kingdom
Indoor
29 Woodbridge Rd, Guildford GU1 1ED, United Kingdom · acacia-villas-guest-house.org.es
Indoor
36 Millmead Terrace, Guildford GU2 4AU, United Kingdom · millmeadapartment.co.uk
Indoor
129 Stoke Rd, Guildford GU1 1ET, United Kingdom
Indoor
126 Walnut Tree Cl, Guildford GU1 4UQ, United Kingdom
Indoor

Restaurants & places to go

Restaurant · restaurant · High Street, Ripley, GU23 6AE · ripleyanchor.co.uk
Indoor
Indian, Restaurant · This premises is a Bar, Restaurant and Takeaway. Traditional Bangladeshi & Indian cuisine. Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-23:00 Features:… · thewharfgodalming.co.uk
Indoor
Cafe · Expertly crafted chocolate drinks Opening hours: Mo-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-19:00; Su 10:00-18:00 · 4 Market Street, Guildford, GU1 4LB · knoops.co.uk
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-18:30; Sa 07:30-19:00; Su 08:30-18:30 Features: takeaway · 69 High Street, Guildford, GU1 3DY · caffenero.com
Indoor
Mexican, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su-Mo 11:00-22:00; Tu 11:00-15:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:30; We-Th 11:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · 1-2 White Lion Walk,… · locations.chipotle.co.uk
Indoor
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 25-26 Friary Street, Guildford, GU1 4EH · restaurants.fiveguys.co.uk
Indoor
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:30-23:00; Su 11:30-22:00 Features: takeaway · 24 Friary Street, Guildford, GU1 4EH · francomanca.co.uk
Indoor
Sandwich, Bakery, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 06:30-18:00; Su 08:00-17:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 33 Wolsey Walk, Woking, GU21 6XX · greggs.co.uk
Indoor
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-We 10:30-24:00; Th-Sa 10:30-03:00; Su 11:00-24:00 Features: takeaway · 29-31 Chertsey Road, Woking, GU21 5AJ · kfc.co.uk
Indoor
British, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 09:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-00:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · Commercial Way, Woking, GU21 6HW · thelounges.co.uk
Indoor
Tex-Mex, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · 19-21 Chertsey Road, Woking, GU21 5AB · locations.tacobell.co.uk
Indoor
Thai, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-18:00; Su 11:00-19:00 Features: takeaway · Guildford · thaiexpress.co.uk
Indoor
Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-23:00; Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options, step-free access · 25-29 High… · wagamama.com
Indoor
Cake, Coffee Shop, Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 12:00-23:00; Sa 10:00-23:00; Su 10:00-22:00 Features: air conditioning · 17 Jeffries Passage, Guildford,… · unplugandplay.cafe
Indoor
Italian, Restaurant · Features: vegetarian options, step-free access · Commercial Way, Woking, GU21 6XX · zizzi.co.uk
Indoor
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-14:30,17:00-23:00; Su 18:00-22:00 · 94 High Street, Horsell, GU21 4SU · chinachef.co.uk
Indoor
Spanish, Tapas, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo 17:00-22:00; Tu-Th 12:00-15:00,17:00-23:00; Fr 12:00-15:00,17:00-20:00; Sa 12:00-00:00; Su 12:00-16:00 · 12A… · denadatapas.co.uk
Indoor
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-14:00,16:30-22:00; Su,PH off · 4 The Terrace, High Street, Old Woking, GU22 9ES · bigreddirectory.com
Indoor
Lebanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:00 Features: takeaway · 54 North Street, Guildford, GU1 4AH · zaitounaexpress.co.uk
Indoor
Greek, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:30 · 16-19 Chapel Street, Guildford, GU1 3UL · meatthegreek.co.uk
Indoor
Noodle, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · Guildford, GU1 4AT · chopstixnoodles.co.uk
Indoor
French, Restaurant · Features: vegan options · 35-38 Castle Street, Guildford, GU1 3UQ · cote.co.uk
Indoor
Frozen Yogurt, Dessert, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 30, Guildford, GU1 4YN · shakeaway.com
Indoor
Ice Cream, Ice Cream · Ice Cream ice cream · 4A North Street, Guildford, GU1 4AA · creamscafe.com
Indoor
Caribbean, Restaurant · Caribbean restaurant · 1 North Street, Guildford, GU1 4AA · turtlebay.co.uk
Indoor
Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-18:00; Su 11:00-17:00 · Guildford
Indoor
Kebab, Fast Food · Kebab fast food · 5 The Broadway, Woking, GU21 5AP · istanbulgrillsonline.com
Indoor
Korean, Restaurant · Korean restaurant · 54 Chertsey Road, Woking, GU21 5BG · bulgogikorea.com
Indoor
Steak House, Tapas, Restaurant · Steak House/Tapas restaurant · 274 High Street, Guildford, GU1 3JL · carmona.co.uk
Indoor
Dessert, Restaurant · Dessert restaurant · Chertsey Road, Woking, GU21 5AB · littledessertshop.co.uk
Indoor
Bangladeshi, Indian, Fast Food · Bangladeshi/Indian fast food · 157 Goldsworth Road, Woking, GU21 6LS · ziawoking.com
Indoor
Bubble Tea, Juice, Cafe · Features: takeaway · White Lion Walk, Guildford, GU1 3DN
Indoor
Pasty, Fast Food · Pasty fast food
Indoor
Regional, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-14:00 Features: step-free access · Guildford, GU2 7XH
Indoor
Turkish, Restaurant · Features: step-free access · 75 Commercial Way, Woking, GU21 6HN · ihlararestaurant.com
Indoor
Sushi, Restaurant · Sushi restaurant · 40-42 Commercial Way, Woking · irosushi.com
Indoor
Vietnamese, Restaurant · Vietnamese restaurant · 46 High Street, Guildford, GU1 3ES
Indoor
Tea, Coffee, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating · The Street, Shalford, GU4 8BP
Indoor
Pakistani, Restaurant · Pakistani restaurant · 58 Chertsey Road, Woking, GU21 5BG
Indoor
Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant · 3 Goldsworth Road, Woking, GU21 6JY
Indoor
Food Court · food court
Indoor
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-17:00; Su 09:00-16:30 · 73 Commercial Way, Woking, GU21 6HN · poppinsrestaurants.co.uk
Indoor
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-18:00 · Shere Road, Albury, GU5 9BW · mandiraskitchen.com
Indoor
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-16:30; Sa 11:00-15:00 · thecellarcafe.co.uk
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:30-18:00; Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 09:00-17:00 Features: takeaway · 53-55 High Street, Godalming, GU7 1AW · coffee1.co.uk
Indoor

278 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Heathrow Airport (LHR) 16 mi to the centre
London, ENG, GB — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 86 airlines (British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia Airlines, Finnair…) · direct flights to 171 destinations incl. New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 86 airlines, 171 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) 18 mi to the centre
London, ENG, GB — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 47 airlines (easyJet, British Airways, Transavia France, Norwegian Air Shuttle…) · direct flights to 165 destinations incl. Arrecife, Tenerife, Larnaca, Orlando, Alicante… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 47 airlines, 165 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Farnborough Airport (FAB) 9.1 mi to the centre
Farnborough, Hampshire, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Blackbushe Airport (BBS) 13 mi to the centre
Camberley, Surrey, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Dunsfold Aerodrome 8.8 mi to the centre
Cranleigh, Surrey, ENG, GB
Outdoor
Homestead Farm Airstrip 3.3 mi to the centre
ENG, GB
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Nauticalia Shepperton Ferry
Ferry terminal · 11 mi from the centre
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Farnborough Airport (FAB); 6 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 1 ferry terminal within 12 mi (nearest: Nauticalia Shepperton Ferry, 11 mi).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Guildford, UK. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
Broker, marketplace · Operator network worldwide · Online charter marketplace, part of Directional Aviation; instant quotes.
Marketplace · Operator network · Transparent on-demand jet charter marketplace showing the operator and tail.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.