Explore Guildford
Outside our wonderful campus, the beautiful Guildford town centre provides a hotspot of restaurants, entertainment, clubs and bars, and a modern shopping experience for everyone.
What to expect
There is so much to explore, so make sure you take your time to look around and discover all the places Guildford has to offer. Soon enough, you’ll find your favourite places to have food and the venues where you’ll love to hang out with your friends.
Don’t forget that many shops, restaurants and attractions offer student discounts, so make sure you have your student ID card with you at all times!
You can find out more about Guildford and the surrounding area on the Experience Guildford and Visit Surrey websites.
Find out more
See what Guildford has to offer.
How to get to the town centre
Food and drink
Guildford is well known for its mix of traditional pubs and restaurants, alongside modern bars and popular chain eateries. You will never be short of places to eat and drink!
Entertainment and culture
Guildford is a hotspot for leisure facilities and activities, with something to keep everyone busy. We are also home to a flourishing arts community and offer a wide range of classes, groups and musical ensembles.
Health and beauty
You will find a wide range of places in Guildford for health and beauty, including barbers, hairdressers, pharmacies and more.
We recommend that you register with a local GP before you arrive, so that you can get access to healthcare as soon as you come to university.
Outdoors, green spaces and parks
Breathtaking panoramas await – choose from a gentle stroll along the River Wey, a circular walk around one of the many picturesque villages or an adventurous hike along the North Downs and Greensand Way. Or have a picnic on a sunny day at one of these picnic spots.
Guildford’s largest park, Stoke Park, has plenty of beautiful open green space, a skate park, paddling pool, boating pond and mini golf course. It is also the location for Guildford's bonfire night, with torchlight procession, fireworks display and funfair.
Probably the best views in Surrey can be seen from Newlands Corner. Great hiking and picnic spot.
Box Hill is well worth a visit with spectacular views, lots of walking opportunities and great places nearby to sample local food and drink.
Pewley Downs is a short walk from the town centre you can enjoy a break with great views over the surrounding countryside and Chantry Wood.
Those at Hazel Farm can enjoy a long walk around Whitmoor Common, with 183 hectares to explore.
Market days
Whether it’s local arts and crafts that you are interested in, or you want to sample some of the finest local produce from around the south east, Guildford’s regular markets are popular for many reasons.
- Guildford Farmers' Market – taking place on the Guildford High Street, first Tuesday of every month, 10:30am to 3:30pm.
- North Street Market – more than 20 stalls offering a variety of goods including fresh meat, fish, fruit and veg, flowers and more. Every Friday and Saturday, from 8am to 4:30pm.
Don’t forget that the Students’ Union also hosts a weekly fruit and veg market every Thursday in Rubix, which also often welcomes vintage clothing fairs and a range of food stalls offering worldwide cuisine.
