Visit to Guildford

Come along for a visit to four historic treasures in Guildford on Tuesday 20th May 2025 at 10am.

Join us for a fascinating day in Guildford, where we’ll explore four remarkable sites of historic and architectural interest.

Timings of the day:

The tour will begin at the Guildhall from 10am to 11am, followed by a visit to Abbot’s Hospital from 11:30am to 12:30pm. We’ll then break for lunch between 12:30pm and 2pm (please note that lunch is not provided). The group will reconvene at 2pm for an afternoon tour of St Nicholas’s Church and Loseley Chapel, followed by tea and cakes. At 4pm, we’ll make our way to St Mary’s Church, aiming to finish the day’s activities between 4:30 and 5pm.

Further details about each site can be found below.

Tickets: Members: £27 / Non-members: £35

Cancellation policy: Refunds can be provided for cancellations 7 or more business days prior to the event.

Access Information: Please note that this event will include a lot of walking and may include climbing some stairs.

Bookings will close at 4pm on 14th May 2025.

The Guildhall

Our visit begins with a tour of Guildford’s 16th-century Guildhall, a building with a rich civic history. Originally a courtroom and council chamber, the Guildhall is now used for official functions. One of its most striking features is the beautifully preserved Tudor panelling, offering a glimpse into its past. Outside, the iconic 1683 bracket clock stands as a well-known landmark in the town.

Abbot’s Hospital

Next, we’ll tour Abbot’s Hospital, a magnificent Grade I-listed Jacobean almshouse founded in 1619 by Archbishop George Abbot. Built to provide shelter for Guildford’s elderly poor, the Hospital has fulfilled this role for over 400 years and continues to do so today.

St Nicolas Church & Loseley Chapel

Our next stop will be St Nicolas Church, where we will visit the Grade II*-listed Loseley Chapel, carefully restored and home to the striking memorials of the More-Molyneux family of nearby Loseley Park.

St Mary’s Church

Built between 950 – 1250, St Mary’s is the oldest church in Guildford. Despite various changes implemented by the Georgians and Victorians, much of the Saxon and medieval heritage still survives. During our visit, we will hear from a HB&P member who has been studying the church architecture and learn what new discoveries he has found.