The medieval town of Guildford is located in Surrey, some 32 miles south-west of Central London. The town has excellent transport links including a mainline station with direct train services to London Waterloo in under 50 minutes. The A3 trunk road is also close to hand, taking you to London in one direction or Portsmouth in the other, through glorious countryside and quaint towns and villages.
Both Heathrow and Gatwick Airports are within 40 minutes' drive, so Guildford makes an ideal base for exploring Europe or travelling further afield.
Guildford is currently undergoing a lot of development works to improve its infrastructure, public spaces, shopping and leisure facilities, and providing additional homes — all balanced with protecting the town's unique character and heritage.
Guildford offers a vast array of dining options, department stores, boutique shops, cafes and delicatessens, a plethora of theatres and cinemas, attractive parks and an internationally recognised university. With all that the town has to offer, living here does come at a price with homes costing twice the national average.
Homes in Guildford are more expensive than Woking — a nearby town already featured in Hakka Properties Blog — but with Guildford you are buying into the history and character of the town, and of course there are more amenities.
The most desirable residential areas are Pewley Down, Pewley Hill, Burpham and Onslow Village. For more affordable homes there are Stoughton, Park Barn and Bellfields. For those that like brand new homes, Worplesdon is a good choice.
"Guildford has one of the most charming high streets in England — cobbled lanes, hidden alleyways, and a farmers market every Tuesday."
Nurseries, Schools & Universities
There are over twenty baby/toddler and pre-school groups in Guildford, so your young ones' early development is well catered for. Guildford is home to some of the best primary and secondary educational institutions in Surrey.
Schools of note which have achieved Ofsted's highest rating include Burpham Foundation School (4–11), Pewley Down Infants (4–11), Guildford County (11–18) and St Peter's Catholic School (11–18). Outstanding schools for children with special needs include Gosden House (4–16), St Joseph's Specialist Trust, Cranleigh (5–19) and Pond Meadow (2–19).
Guildford is the hometown of the University of Surrey. Within 30 minutes commute you can also find Royal Holloway and Kingston University. For those who wish to send their children to fee paying schools — there are Royal Grammar School (RGS), Guildford High and Tormead. Slightly further afield in Godalming is the highly sought-after Charterhouse School.
Local Amenities
Guildford has one of the most charming high streets in England with cobbled lanes and hidden alleyways. Here you find a mix of the old and the new with shops to cater for your every whim and fancy — from popular brands, delightful deli's to fashion boutiques. The High Street plays host to a bustling farmers market on the first Tuesday of each month.
Guildford by numbers: you will be spoilt for choice for shopping, entertainment and dining options. In 2019 there were over 250 retailers, more than 100 places to eat and drink and over 20 bars and clubs.
Places of Interest in Guildford & Nearby
Guildford has an abundance of parks and historical places of interest to suit everybody. Whether you like visiting gardens and places of natural beauty or prefer concerts and musicals, Guildford will have something for you.
Visit these websites for ideas to fill your calendar and get familiar with life in Guildford:
We'd love to help you find your perfect home there. Get in touch for a free consultation.