Guildford Castle
Norman castle keep in Guildford with a history exhibition and views from the top of the tower, set in Green Flag award castle gardens.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Guildford Castle is thought to have been built shortly after the Norman invasion of 1066, either by William the Conqueror or by one of his barons. Its stone keep, on a steep mound above the River Wey, is one of the best preserved of its kind in the south of England. Over the centuries the castle served as a royal palace, a prison and a private residence.
In 1885 the castle and its grounds were sold to the Guildford Corporation, the town's local authority. The grounds opened as public gardens in 1888, marking Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee of 1887, and are now known for their flower displays around the keep. The gardens also hold a bandstand, a bowling green, a life-size statue of Alice from Alice Through the Looking Glass and the town's war memorial.
Today the keep is run by Guildford Borough Council's Heritage Service. Visitors can see a ground-floor exhibition about the castle's history, with wall panels, a model and an audiovisual introduction, and can climb the steps inside the tower for views over Guildford and the surrounding Surrey countryside. Open-air theatre and concerts are held in the grounds in summer.
Highlights
- Norman castle keep that visitors can climb for views over Guildford
- Exhibition on the history of the castle, with a model and audiovisual introduction
- Green Flag award castle gardens with seasonal flower displays
- Statue of Alice from Alice Through the Looking Glass in the grounds
Permanent exhibition
- Guildford Castle keep exhibition – Displays on the history of the Norman keep with wall panels, a model and an audiovisual introduction; the tower can be climbed for views over the town.
- Founded
- 1100
- Operated by
- Guildford Borough Council (Heritage Service)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £2.50free up to age 4 · Under 5s enter free. |
| Families | £12Two adults and up to three children. |
These prices are for the castle keep. The castle grounds are free to enter.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Most of the castle grounds are wheelchair accessible, but there are steps and steep slopes, particularly around the keep, which stands on a steep mound. The keep's ground-floor entrance is level, the first-floor entrance is reached by external steps and head height is low. A tactile history book is available. An access guide is published by the council.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £12 · Two adults and up to three children. |
Children's and family tickets are available, and under-5s are free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Guildford station · 15-min walk
Guildford railway station is a 15-minute walk from the castle.
By car
Parking available
The nearest car park is Castle car park.
The approach to the keep is up a steep slope, as it stands on the castle mound. The Guildford Museum is beside the castle grounds.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The displays in the keep include wall panels, a model and an audiovisual introduction. Open-air theatre and concerts are held in the grounds in summer. |
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