People think there was an Anglo-Saxon settlement in the Guildford area by the early 500s, and by the end of the 900s the town had its own Royal Mint. Henry III made its castle into a palace, and in 1257 he gave the town its first borough charter. Later came the Royal Grammar School, the River Wey Navigation, what was probably the country's first purpose-built car factory, a new cathedral and a university.
Oldest first
Newest first
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Romans
AD 43 – 410
100s
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Traces of a villa
Traces of a villa from the 2nd century (the 100s) were found at Broadstreet Common during an excavation in 1998.
From the records: “Traces of a 2nd-century villa were discovered at Broadstreet Common during an excavation in 1998.”
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Anglo-Saxons and Vikings
410 – 1066
500s
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An Anglo-Saxon settlement
There is thought to have been an Anglo-Saxon settlement in the Guildford area by the early 500s, although no one knows exactly where. In the 1930s, excavations found a Saxon cemetery at Guildown, at the east end of the Hog's Back. The oldest burials there are from the late 500s.
From the records: “There is thought to have been an Anglo-Saxon settlement in the Guildford area by the early 6th century, although its precise location is unclear.”
c. 880–885
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Gyldeforda in a king's will
The oldest surviving record of Guildford is in the will of Alfred the Great, written around 880–885. It survives in a copy made around the year 1000, which calls the settlement Gyldeforda.
From the records: “The oldest surviving record of Guildford is from a c. 1000 copy of the c. 880 – c. 885 will of Alfred the Great, in which the settlement appears as Gyldeforda.”
978
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A Royal Mint
By the end of the 900s Guildford was important enough to have a Royal Mint. Coins were made here from 978 until at least 1099.
From the records: “Although it does not appear in the Burghal Hidage, compiled c. 914, by the end of the 10th century the town was sufficiently important to be the location of a Royal Mint.”
c. 1040
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St Mary's Church
The tower of St Mary's Church was built around 1040. It is the oldest building still standing in Guildford.
From the records: “The oldest extant building in Guildford is St Mary's Church, the tower of which was built c. 1040.”
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Middle Ages
1066 – 1485
1086
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Gildeford in Domesday Book
In Domesday Book of 1086, Guildford is written as Gildeford. It was divided into seven parts, all owned by King William I.
From the records: “In Domesday Book of 1086, Guildford appears as Gildeford and is divided into seven parts, all of which were the property of William I.”
1100s
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The castle keep
A wall of Bargate stone was built around the top of the castle mound, making what is called a shell keep. Around the 1130s a tower, the keep, was added, made of Bargate stone from nearby Godalming. By the end of the 1100s part of the keep was being used as a prison.
From the records: “Late 11th or early 12th century, a wall made of Bargate stone was built around the top of the motte creating what is known as a shell keep, and then around the 1130s a keep (tower) was added, again made of Bargate stone from nearby Godalming bonded with hard and durable mortar.”
1216
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Prince Louis takes the castle
On 9 July 1216, during the First Barons' War against King John, Prince Louis took possession of the castle. There was no fighting there.
From the records: “On 9 July 1216 Prince Louis took possession of the castle during the First Barons' War against King John, but the castle was not a scene of conflict.”
1245–1256
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A royal palace
King Henry III made the castle into one of the most luxurious palaces in England. In 1245 he bought land so he could build rooms for his son and heir, Edward, which were finished in 1246. Castle Arch was built on his orders in 1256.
From the records: “Henry III commissioned the rebuilding of the castle following a fire in the mid-13th century, converting it into one of the most luxurious palaces in England.”
1257
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The first borough charter
In January 1257 Henry III gave the town its first borough charter, which let it send two representatives to parliament.
From the records: “Henry III granted the town its first borough charter in January 1257, which permitted it to send two representatives to parliament.”
c. 1275
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The Black Friary
Around 1275 Eleanor of Provence, the wife of Henry III, founded a community of Dominican friars, the Guildford Black Friary. It was never large: in 1336 there were only 20 friars, and when it was closed in 1537 there were only seven.
From the records: “The Guildford Black Friary was a community of Dominicans, founded by Eleanor of Provence, wife of Henry III, around 1275.”
1276–1530s
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Market day
By 1276 a market was held in the High Street every Saturday. In the 1530s there were three markets each week: for corn (the most profitable), for cattle, and for general produce and household items.
From the records: “It is unclear when the first market took place at Guildford, but by 1276 one was being held in the High Street every Saturday.”
1366
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The town's guild
In 1366 Edward III let the town become partly self-governing in return for a yearly rent of £10. The guild in Guildford was formed soon afterwards.
From the records: “In 1366, Edward III issued a fee farm grant, enabling the town to become partially self-governing in exchange for a yearly rent of £10.”
late 1300s–1500s
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Cloth and dye works
The Italian merchant Francesco di Marco Datini bought cloth from Guildford in the late 1300s. By the end of the 1500s there were at least six dye works in the town.
From the records: “The Italian merchant, Francesco di Marco Datini, is known to have purchased cloth from Guildford in the late 14th century and by the end of the 16th century, there were at least six dye works in the town.”
1470
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Guildford in King Arthur's stories
In Sir Thomas Malory's 1470 version of the stories of King Arthur, Le Morte d'Arthur, Guildford is identified with Astolat.
From the records: “In Sir Thomas Malory's 1470 version of the Arthurian romances, Le Morte d'Arthur, Guildford is identified with Astolat of Arthurian renown.”
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Tudors and Stuarts
1485 – 1714
1485–1488
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A coat of arms and a mayor
Henry VII granted Guildford its coat of arms in 1485. Three years later he gave it a charter of incorporation, which put the borough in the hands of a mayor and burgesses chosen from the merchants' guild.
From the records: “Henry VII was responsible for granting Guildford its coat of arms in 1485 and, three years later, he awarded the charter of incorporation, which placed the administration of the borough in the hands of a mayor and burgesses, appointed from the merchants' guild.”
1509–1520
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A free school
Robert Beckingham died in 1509 and made provision in his will to "make a free scole at the Towne of Guldford". The school, now the Royal Grammar School, was built in 1520 in Castle Ditch (now Castle Street).
From the records: “The school dates its founding to the death of Robert Beckingham in 1509 who left provision in his will to "make a free scole at the Towne of Guldford"; in 1512 a governing body was set up to form the school.”
c. 1550–1683
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The Guildhall
The Guildhall in the High Street is thought to have been built around 1550, and it was extended northwards in 1589. Its council chamber and its front facing the High Street were made in 1683, paid for by public subscription.
From the records: “The current building is thought to have been constructed c. 1550 and was extended northwards in 1589.”
1552–1586
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A royal school and a chained library
In January 1552 Edward VI gave the school a grant of 20 pounds a year and the right to call itself a Royal Grammar School. It moved to the upper High Street, where its Old Building was built between 1557 and 1586. The Old Building holds a rare chained library, begun after the death of John Parkhurst, Bishop of Norwich, in 1575.
From the records: “Thus in January 1552 Edward VI ordered that there was to be "one Grammar School in Guildford called the Free Grammar School of King Edward VI for the education, institution and instruction of boys and youths in Grammar at all future times forever to endure", along with a grant of 20 pounds per year; the school acquired therewith the right to style itself a Royal Grammar School.”
1597 (about 1550)
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The oldest record of cricket
In 1597 John Derrick, who had been a pupil at the school around 1550, gave evidence in a court case about a piece of land in Guildford. He said that as a child "hee and his fellowes did runne and play there at Creckett and other plaies". It is the earliest definite reference to cricket being played anywhere in the world.
From the records: “In the years around 1550, a pupil at the school was John Derrick who in later life became a Queen's Coroner for the county of Surrey.”
1622
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Abbot's Hospital
George Abbot, the Archbishop of Canterbury and a former pupil of the Royal Grammar School, founded the Hospital of the Holy Trinity in 1622. It is better known as Abbot's Hospital.
From the records: “The Hospital of the Holy Trinity, more commonly known as Abbot's Hospital, was founded in 1622 by George Abbot, the Archbishop of Canterbury and a former pupil of the Royal Grammar School.”
1653
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The River Wey Navigation
The River Wey Navigation, a waterway, was completed in 1653. Dapdune Wharf has been its main boatyard ever since.
From the records: “Dapdune Wharf has been the main boatyard for the River Wey Navigation since the waterway was completed in 1653.”
1701
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Water for the town
Until the start of the 1700s, people in Guildford got their water from wells or from the River Wey. In 1701 William Yarnold was given a grant to build a waterwheel and pumps to raise river water to a reservoir at the foot of Pewley Down.
From the records: “Until the start of the 18th century, residents of Guildford obtained their water from wells or from the Wey.”
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Georgians
1714 – 1837
1794–1818
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Soldiers on the friary site
In 1794 the War Office bought the old friary property. It was used as a barracks until the end of the Napoleonic Wars and then pulled down in 1818.
From the records: “The property passed through a series of private owners until 1794, when it was bought by the War Office.”
1835–1836
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An elected council and a police force
Under the Municipal Corporations Act 1835, an elected council replaced the mayor and burgesses. In 1836 Guildford's first police force was set up, with nine constables led by a part-time superintendent.
From the records: “Under the Municipal Corporations Act 1835, a democratically elected council replaced the mayor and burgesses, and the borough expanded beyond the medieval town boundaries.”
🚂
Victorians
1837 – 1901
1840–1864
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The Guy Riots
Between 1840 and 1864 there were outbursts of lawlessness in Guildford, known as the Guy Riots. After trouble in March and September 1863, 200 soldiers were sent to the town in case of more violence that November.
From the records: “Between 1840 and 1864, severe outbursts of semi-organised lawlessness, commonly known as the Guy Riots, occurred in Guildford.”
1860–1866
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A hospital for Surrey
The town's first medical facility, the Guildford Dispensary, opened in Quarry Street in January 1860. In 1866 the Royal Surrey County Hospital opened on Farnham Road, on land given by Lord Onslow, as a memorial to Prince Albert.
From the records: “The first medical facility in the town, the Guildford Dispensary, opened in Quarry Street in January 1860.”
1868–1898
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Lewis Carroll's Guildford
Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, lived in The Chestnuts, his sisters' house near the castle, from 1868 until he died in 1898. The castle gardens have a life-size statue of Alice Through the Looking Glass in his memory.
From the records: “Guildford has been associated with the 1863 novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland because of its importance in the life of its author, Lewis Carroll.”
1885–1906
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From a drinks shop to Cow & Gate
Charles Arthur and Leonard Gates ran their late father's shop, which sold wines, spirits and beer. In 1885 they joined the temperance movement and poured their entire stock into the gutters of the High Street. Their business became the West Surrey Central Dairy Company, and after it made a dried milk baby formula in 1906 it became Cow & Gate.
From the records: “After the death of their father in 1882, brothers Charles Arthur and Leonard Gates took over the running of his shop, which held the local distribution franchise for Gilbey's wines and spirits, and also sold beer.”
1885–1888
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Castle gardens for everyone
In 1885 Lord Grantley sold the castle to the Guildford Corporation. The tower and walls were restored and opened to the public as pleasure gardens in 1888, to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee the year before.
From the records: “In 1885 Lord Grantley of Wonersh, who owned a large part of the castle, sold it to the Guildford Corporation.”
1900
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A car factory
In 1900 the Dennis Brothers company built what was probably the first purpose-built car factory in the country, on Bridge Street. Between 1905 and 1913 production moved to a new factory near Woodbridge Hill.
From the records: “In 1900, the Dennis Brothers company constructed what was probably the first purpose-built car factory in the country, on Bridge Street.”
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The World Wars
1901 – 1945
1920–1922
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Onslow Village
In 1920 Onslow Village Ltd bought 646 acres of land from the Earl of Onslow. The foundations of the first two houses were laid on 1 May 1920, and by March 1922 ninety-one houses had been built.
From the records: “Onslow Village Ltd acquired 646 acres (261 hectares) or just over a square mile of land from the Earl of Onslow in 1920 for approximately one-quarter of its market value at the time.”
1927–1939
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A new cathedral
The Diocese of Guildford was created in 1927. In 1932, 183 architects took part in a design competition, and Edward Maufe was chosen. Cosmo Lang, Archbishop of Canterbury, laid the foundation stone on Stag Hill in 1936, but work stopped in 1939 because of the Second World War.
From the records: “The Diocese of Guildford was created in 1927, covering most of Surrey.”
1939–1941
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The Second World War
At the start of the war, Stoughton Barracks became a training centre for army recruits, and George VI visited twice in late 1939. In late 1940 six British Restaurants opened in the town, and in May 1941 the first nursery school for children aged two to five opened, so their mothers could do war work.
From the records: “At the start of the war, Stoughton Barracks became a training centre for army recruits and George VI visited twice in late 1939.”
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Modern times
Since 1945
1952–1961
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Buy a brick
In 1952 the Cathedral Committee and its secretary, Miss Eleanora Iredale, launched the 'Buy-a-Brick' campaign. Between 1952 and 1961 more than 200,000 people paid 2s 6d to sign their name, or someone else's, on a brick.
From the records: “The Cathedral Committee, and its formidable secretary, Miss Eleanora Iredale, launched the 'Buy-a Brick' campaign in 1952.”
1961–1965
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The cathedral is consecrated
Guildford Cathedral was consecrated on 17 May 1961, with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip there, and the Cathedral Choir was formed for the service. It was the last Church of England cathedral to be consecrated on a new site. The building was finished in 1965.
From the records: “The building was consecrated in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on 17 May 1961.”
1963–1968
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The University of Surrey
In May 1963 it was announced that Battersea College would move to Guildford as the University of Surrey. Building began on Stag Hill in January 1966, the university got its Royal Charter that September, and the first students arrived in autumn 1968.
From the records: “In May 1963, Edward Boyle, the Secretary of State for Education, announced that the Battersea College would relocate to Guildford as the University of Surrey.”
1974–1989
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The pub bombings and the Guildford Four
On the evening of 5 October 1974, the Provisional Irish Republican Army set off two bombs at two pubs in the town. Three men and a woman, later known as the Guildford Four, were arrested, convicted in 1975 and given life sentences. All four said they were innocent, and after a campaign of almost fifteen years their convictions were quashed in October 1989.
From the records: “On the evening of 5 October 1974, the Provisional Irish Republican Army detonated two gelignite bombs at two pubs in the town.”
1995
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A medieval synagogue found
In 1995 a chamber was discovered in the High Street. It is thought to be the remains of Guildford's synagogue from the 1100s.
From the records: “In 1995, a chamber was discovered in the High Street, which is considered to be the remains of the 12th-century Guildford Synagogue.”
2007
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A world first at the cinema
In June 2007 Guildford's Odeon cinema became the first cinema in the world to show digital 4K films to the public.
From the records: “Guildford has an Odeon cinema multiplex which, in June 2007, was the first cinema in the world to show digital 4K films to the public.”