Living in Guildford, Surrey
If you’re thinking of living in Guildford, Surrey, you’re in very good company, as it’s widely regarded as one of the most sought-after towns in the Home Counties.
But Guildford is more than just a commuter town; Surrey itself is known for its abundance of woodland, making it one of the greenest counties in the UK, meaning Guildford is a perfect place for both commuting and ready access to the countryside.
This vibrant riverside town has a beautiful cobbled high street, the famous Guildhall gold clock, and a modern cathedral. There is a wide range of leisure and recreational facilities, including restaurants, a theatre, and a cinema complex.
With the North Downs and Surrey Hills on Guildford’s doorstep, the area offers the perfect blend of suburban and rural living.
What types of property are there in Guildford?
Guildford is blessed with a wide range of property types. There is a diverse blend of historic timber homes, Georgian and Victorian residences, new-builds, and modern townhouses, as well as studios and apartments, particularly in the town centre, where contemporary developments offer stylish new-build apartments, townhouses, and studios suited to modern living.
Homes in the Charlotteville area (to the east of the town centre) are in a conservation area, while Guildford’s surrounding villages offer the chance to live in a chocolate-box cottage.
Spacious detached and semi-detached family homes, along with attractive terraced houses, are prevalent throughout residential areas and nearby spots such as the Chantries and the Merrow area over towards Newlands Corner.
Whether you are looking for a brand-new apartment in the town centre, a modern, comfortable family home, or your very own manor house with grounds, it’s likely you’ll be able to find the type of home you’re after; yet another reason why living in Guildford is so popular.
Schools in Guildford
Guildford has a number of significant private and state schools as well as being home to the prestigious University of Surrey. These include:
Primary schools in and around Guildford
- Burpham Foundation Primary School;
- Pewley Down Infant School;
- Chilworth Church of England (Aided) Infant School.
Secondary schools in and around Guildford
- Guildford County School: Close to the town centre, this co-educational secondary school and sixth form was founded in 1905;
- St Peter’s Catholic School: A thriving co-educational secondary school;
- King’s College Guildford: A relatively small (350 students) secondary-level academy, opened in 2014.
Independent schools near Guildford
- Charterhouse: Founded in 1611 and located in the nearby town of Godalming, Charterhouse is one of the UK’s leading independent schools;
- Royal Grammar School: Located at the top of Guildford’s High Street, RGS is a selective independent school for boys;
- Guildford High School: A highly-rated private school for girls from the ages of 4 to 18, founded in 1888;
- Cranleigh School: Cranleigh (co-ed boarding) and Cranleigh Prep School, are both very popular with families moving out of London;
- Prior’s Field, Godalming: An independent girls’ boarding and day school near Guildford.
Additionally, Godalming College, a well-regarded sixth form college with a strong academic reputation, offers an excellent post-16 education option just a short distance from Guildford.
Green spaces in Guildford
For many of its residents, living in Guildford represents the perfect balance between rural and city life. The town is set in a gap of the breathtaking Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that forms the Surrey Hills.
It’s a gap through which the River Wey makes a tranquil passage that also offers a relaxing space immediately within the town itself.
The local authority manages more than 2 million trees across some 2,600 acres of open space, including 65 parks and gardens, 52 countryside sites, and 34 playgrounds.
Guildford Castle Grounds
Guildford Castle Grounds offer a peaceful retreat from the bustling activity of the town and are renowned for their magnificent horticultural displays.
They have also been awarded a Green Flag, a national benchmark of excellence for parks and green spaces in the UK. During the summer months, open-air theatre performances enrich the garden experience.
Stoke Park
As Guildford’s largest and most popular public park, Stoke Park includes a boating pond, skate park, model boating lake, paddling pool, mini golf, tennis courts, and a children’s playground.
There is also a network of footpaths and cycle routes that link through to neighbouring green spaces. Recognised with a Green Flag Award, Stoke Park has been celebrated as one of the very best green spaces in the UK.
Hatchlands Park
Hatchlands Park is one of the largest country estates in the area, spanning 400 acres of parkland and woodland and full of year-round seasonal colour. There are waymarked walks as well as a children’s natural adventure area.
Chantry Walk
You can enjoy 200 acres of ancient semi-natural woodland and meadows at Chantry Walk, situated in the Surrey Hills. It offers amazing views, a choice of gentle or challenging walks, plus the chance to spot grazing cattle during the winter.
Guildford transport links
The town’s location is favoured by those who want to live outside the capital yet remain closely connected to the economic levers of affluence. Its commuter-friendliness is one reason why so many consider living in Guildford.
For domestic or international connections, Guildford is strategically positioned between the UK’s two major airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, both well-served by direct transport links to the town.
Its two main railway stations, conveniently situated close to the town centre and shops, offer frequent rail services to London Waterloo (with a journey time of approximately 32 minutes), as well as regional hubs such as Reading in the Thames Valley, Portsmouth on the South Coast, and beyond, making it ideal for commuters.
Road connections are excellent, with the A3 providing direct routes to London, Portsmouth, and the M25, while the nearby M3 and A31 offer wider regional access. Central London by car takes around an hour to an hour and a half.
Places to shop, eat, drink, and be entertained
For those living in Guildford, the town’s cobbled streets and its surrounding lanes offer a distinctive charm that makes the centre probably one of the most popular high streets in the country.
There is a large and varied collection of retail outlets, from independent, luxury boutiques to popular brands of the main chains. The latter are mainly concentrated in the Friary Shopping Centre, which also houses several cafes and patisseries to rest weary legs.
The Tunsgate Quarter features some designer brands as well as home and lifestyle stores. There is even a farmers’ market, held on the first Tuesday of each month (January excepted).
Guildford is decidedly easy when it comes to eating out. Whether you’re after a quick bite or the luxury of fine dining, there are more than 100 well-run establishments from which to choose, and a range of cuisine from Italian to Lebanese.
Popular choices include Bill’s for casual brunches and all-day dining, Coppa Club for its relaxed atmosphere and riverside terrace, The March Hare, a stylish gastropub known for seasonal British dishes, and The Ivy Castle View, offering elegant surroundings with a view of Guildford Castle.
The town is also dotted with independent cafés and teashops, each offering its own charm, from cosy corners for reading to vibrant spaces perfect for people-watching and conversation.
This all adds greatly to Guildford’s lively and welcoming character.
Cultural life is equally vibrant, with the well-regarded Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and G Live offering performances, concerts, and touring shows almost every week of the year.
Thinking of living in Guildford?
Guildford has it all, blending the calm of rural living with the energy of urbanity, uniting the old and the new. Living in Guildford provides a suburban life while maintaining swift and convenient links to the capital and various national and international spots.
A bustling and vibrant town, Guildford has a wide range of shops and plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes in which to relax.
Whenever the local scene feels just a little too familiar, the bright lights and excitement of London are only around a half-hour train ride away. Or you can enjoy one of the many woodland walks and parks in the area.
A rewarding family life may be assured by the availability of high-quality education in either the private or state sectors, and at the University of Surrey.
Given Guildford’s popularity, properties here can attract strong interest soon after coming onto the market or change hands off-market without being publicly advertised at all.
Here at Garrington Property Finders, our dedicated and experienced team has ways of tracking down even those most elusive of properties, helping you secure your dream home.
If you would like to find out more about living in Guildford or the wider Surrey area, please do get in touch for a no-obligation discussion about your property search.
