Places to visit in Guildford, Surrey

There are so many places to visit in Guildford, we’re still discovering spots we’ve not seen before a decade after relocating from London! We’re pretty spoiled in the area though what with commons, woodland, gardens, parks and nature reserves. Here are just some of the places you should visit in Guildford and the nearby area in 2021.

Commons & woodland

Blackheath Common

Blackheath Common is 5 miles from Guildford Town in the heart of the Surrey Hills. With large open sandy areas and woodland, there are gentle rising paths that are not too challenging. Blackheath Common: Wonersh, Guildford GU4 8RB

Chantry Wood

Situated a short distance from Guildford Town is the 200 acre Chantry Wood. There’s woodland and meadows to explore (bluebells in springtime) with views across to Chilworth, St Martha’s and Chinthurst Hill. Chantry Wood: Guildford GU4 8PZ.

Chilworth Gunpowder Mills

Founded in 1626, Chilworth Gunpowder Mills was in use for over 300 years. There are several interesting remains in the woodland which is about 4 miles from Guildford Town. Chilworth Gunpowder Mill: Chilworth Rd, Albury, Chilworth, Guildford GU4 8RH.

Compton Common

Located between Guildford and Godalming is Compton Common which is walkable from Guildford Town (c.6 miles there and back). Compton itself is a pretty village that has retained much of its charm and it’s also home to Watts Gallery. Compton Common: GU3 1JF.

The Mount and Henley Wood

Located a mile west of Guildford Town is The Mount and Henley Wood. The Mount is one of the most important pieces of chalk grassland in the Guildford area and offers fantastic views across the town. The Mount and Henley Wood is also home to Henley Fort (now an Education Centre) which was built to protect the town in the Second World War. The Mount: Walk from Wodeland Avenue, The Mount or other roads in the surrounding area.

Newlands Corner

Newlands Corner is 4 miles from Guildford Town. A local beauty spot, it offers open chalkland, woodland and magnificent views across the South Downs. Newlands Corner: Drove Rd, Newland’s Corner, Albury, Guildford GU4 8SE.

Silent Pool

Silent Pool and Sherbourne Pond nearby are just down the road from Newlands Corner (by car). Silent Pool is said to have been an old chalk quarry once and has an eerie stillness about it. Legend has it this is due to the fate of a woodcutter’s daughter, surprised by a nobleman (said to be Prince John), as she bathed in the water. Silent Pool: Shere Road, Albury, GU5 9BW.

St Martha’s Hill

St Martha’s Hill is set high in the Surrey Hill. With 38 hectares of chalk grassland, woodland and heath, St Martha’s Hill has wonderful views overlooking the Tillingbourne Valley. There are five, circular banks with external ditches that have been declared Scheduled Ancient Monuments by English Heritage. A church has been on the site since the Saxon times. St Martha’s Hill: Nearest postcode GU5 9BQ (car parks off Guildford Lane and Halfpenny Lane). St Martha’s Hill is also walkable from Newlands Corner.

Merrow Downs

Merrow Downs links to the open space at Pewley Down which was once the site of a semaphore station and defensive fort. Merrow Downs is on the ridge of hills that form the North Downs and part of the Surrey Hills Area of Natural Beauty. Guildford Golf Club has used part of the site since 1888.

Sheepleas

Outside Guildford, towards West Horsley is Sheepleas, an important 110-hectare habitat. Once described as “the finest piece of botanical and entomological ground within 30 miles of London”, the woodland comprises chalk grassland and home to butterflies, dormice and birds among others.

Shere Woodlands

Shere Woodlands are on the slope of the North Downs and encompass West Hanger, Combe Bottom and Netley Plantation. There are an area of animal and plant species in the area that thrive on the woodland, grassland and scrub. Despite being just a few miles from Guildford, it can feel like a wilderness with outstanding views across the Weald and Greensand Ridge.

Thorneycroft Wood

We typically access the Thorneycroft Wood via the Riverside Nature Reserve by the River Wey and leave near the Spectrum Leisure Centre. This woodland, which can be accessed to the left of the centre, is where the World War II tank traps or “dragons teeth” can be found.

Whitmoor and Rickford Commons

With 183 acres to explore, Whitmoor Common and Rickford Commons is one of Guildford’s most precious habitats. With heathland, woods and ponds, it’s the largest in the area supporting a range of species. Located nearby is Britten’s Pond which is a small fishing pond with a circular route. Whitmoor Common and Britten’s Pond: Saltbox Road, GU3 3LH.

Worplesdon Commons

The Worplesdon Group of Commons in Guildford encompass Broadstreet, Backside and Rydes Commons which is 158-hectares of birch and oak woodlands with ponds in Wood Street Village. Chitty’s Common has a rich mosaic of habitats that are valuable for local and regional species along with mammals, birds and invertebrates. Littlefield Common has a mix of woodland, glades and a pond.

National Trust places

There are so many wonderful National Trust places near us – accessible either by foot or a short drive away. These include Dapdune Wharf and the River Wey, Shalford Mill, Hatchlands Park, Winkworth Arboretum, Polesden Lacey and Claremont Landscape Garden – all in our guide to the National Trust places to visit in Surrey. Booking is typically required in advance with tickets available every Friday for the following week.

Nature Reserves

There are a number of nature reserves in the Guildford area. These include Fox Corner, which is a 14-acre site brought back to life in 1989 with plantings, a boardwalk, dipping platform and pond creation. Lakeside Park that comprises of lakes, reed beds grassland, heath, scrub and woodland. Pewley Downs is a chalk grassland site just outside Guildford with several species of rare flowering plants, invertebrates and butterflies. Riverside Park is the nature reserve we visit most often, easily accessible via the River Wey in Guildford. Habitats include wetlands, reed beds, ponds and woodland with many plant species, birds and ducks.

Around 10-15 minutes drive away from Guildford is Thursley Nature Reserve. With 325 hectares to explore there is open dry heathland, bogs and woodlands along with 20 species of dragonflies and damselflies and an array of birds. The majority of the 1.3 kilometre boardwalk was destroyed by wildfires in 2020 but there is hope it will be rebuilt in 2021. Until then there are footpaths around the reserve.

Gardens

Loseley Park

With a history spanning 500 years, privately owned Loseley Park is just 3 miles from Guildford and sits in 1,400 acres of beautiful countryside. In the summer months (typically from May), the botanical gardens are open to the public. The Walled Garden spans 2.5 acres and consists of “rooms” each with its own planting scheme and personality. There’s also the Rose Garden, the Flower Garden and the White Garden along with the Herb Garden, Organic Vegetable Garden and the Wildflower Meadow. Loseley Park: Guildford, GU3 1HS.

Painshill Park

Painshill Park is an award-winning 18th century landscaped garden situated in Cobham, c.15 minutes drive from Guildford. Its wonderful winding paths take you on a journey past the Serpentine lake, woodland and past follies like the Ruined Abbey, Gothic Temple and Turkish Tent. Not forgetting the remarkable Crystal Grotto and Gothic Tower. Painshill Park: Portsmouth Road, Cobham, KT11 1JE (sat nav KT11 1BE).

RHS Wisley

RHS Wisley is the historic home of The Royal Horticultural Society and houses one of the largest plant collections in the world. Set in 240 acres, there are numerous gardens to explore and enjoy from Seven Acres, Battleston Hill and the Rose Garden to the Walled Gardens, Rock Garden and Oakwood to name just a few. RHS Wisley: Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB.

We hope our list of places to visit in Guildford has inspired you. So many to explore aren’t there? We’re looking forward to getting out and about again when lockdown 3.0 ends. Have you got a favourite place to visit in Guildford or the surrounding area?