Explore Guildford
Outside our wonderful campus, the beautiful Guildford town centre provides a hotspot of restaurants, entertainment, clubs and bars, and a modern shopping experience for everyone.
What to expect
There is so much to explore, so make sure you take your time to look around and discover all the places Guildford has to offer. Soon enough, you’ll find your favourite places to have food and the venues where you’ll love to hang out with your friends.
Don’t forget that many shops, restaurants and attractions offer student discounts, so make sure you have your student ID card with you at all times!
You can find out more about Guildford and the surrounding area on the Experience Guildford and Visit Surrey websites.
Find out more
See what Guildford has to offer.
How to get to the town centre
From Stag Hill campus
Guildford town centre is just a 10–15 minute walk from the Stag Hill campus. You can also take a bus from campus which stops at the Friary Bus Station in the centre of town.
From Manor Park campus
The town centre is a longer walk from Manor Park – around 30 minutes. We recommend taking a bus if you do not want to walk.
From Hazel Farm campus
We recommend taking a bus into town from Hazel Farm as it is about an hour's walk to town.
Food and drink
Guildford is well known for its mix of traditional pubs and restaurants, alongside modern bars and popular chain eateries. You will never be short of places to eat and drink!
For a quick bite
- McDonalds in The Friary Centre and on North Street
- KFC in the Friary Centre
- Burger King in Ladymead Retail Park
- Tortilla on Friary Street
- Kokoro in the Friary Centre and on North Street
- Meat the Greek on Chapel Street
- Five Guys on Friary Street
- Greggs on North Street
- Creams on North Street
- Yogoo! Natural Frozen Yogurt in the Friary Centre
- Krispy Kreme in the Friary Centre
- Pret A Manger on Swan Lane.
For a coffee date
- Coffee Culture on Angel Gate
- Esquires Coffee on Upper High Street
- Harris and Hoole on North Street
- Starbucks in White Lion Walk and High Street
- Caffè Nero on High Street
- Gail's in Tunsgate Quarter
- Black Sheep Coffee on North Street
- Krema on Tunsgate
Try something new
- Pho at Tunsgate
- Positano Italian restaurant on High Street
- Côte Brasserie French restaurant on Castle Street
- The Thai Terrace on Castle Car Park
- Olivio Italian restaurant on Quarry Street
- Blue Sardinia Italian restaurant on Sydenham Road
- Growlers and Cans craft beer taproom on Chertsey street
Fun cocktails
- Turtle Bay on North Street
- All Bar One on North Street
- Five & Lime on North Street
- The Palm Terrace on Castle Car Park.
Pub drinks
- Britannia at Millmead Centre
- George Abbott on the High Street
- Pews Courtyard on Chapel Street
- Stoke Pub on Stoke Road
- The Drummond on Woodbridge Road
- The Guildford Tup on Chertsey Street
- The King’s Head on Quarry Street
- The White House at Millmead
- Three Pigeons on the High Street
- The Star Inn on Quarry Street
- The March Hare on South Hill
- Growlers and Cans craft beer taproom on Chertsey street
For a high-end option
- The Ivy Castle View in Tunsgate Quarter
- Cosy Club in Tunsgate Quarter
- All Bar One on North Street
- The Weyside at Millbrook
- The Long Bar on Alexandra Terrace
- HarBAR on Alexandra Terrace.
For a meal with friends
Bit of everything
Burgers
- Gourmet Burger Kitchen on Friary Street
- Five Guys on Friary Street.
Caribbean
- Turtle Bay on North Street.
Chinese
- The Mandarin on Epson Road.
French
- Côte Brasserie on Castle Street
- The March Hare on South Hill.
Indian
- Maloncho Tandoori on Epson Road.
Italian
- Zizzi’s on Upper High Street
- Franco Manca on Friary Street
- Olivo on Castle Street
- Blue Sardinia on Sydenham Road
- Positano on High Street
- Shardana on Baker's Yard
- Pizza Express on Upper High Street.
Japanese
- Kokoro in the Friary Centre and on North Street
- Yo! Sushi on Friary Street
- Wagamama on Friary Street.
Korean
- Hanki on Jeffries Passage.
Mexican
- Tortilla on Friary Street.
Portuguese
- Nando’s on Friary Street.
Spanish
- La Casita on Chapel Street
- De Nada Tapas on Market Street
- Carmona (steak and tapas) on Upper High Street.
Thai
- Thaikhun Thai Restaurant on Friary Street
- The Thai Terrace on Castle Car Park
- Rumwong Thai on London Road
- Hungry Buddha on Friary Street
- Giggling Squid on Chapel Street.
Vegan and vegetarian
- V Café on Ward Street
- Brasil Vegano Cafe on Madrid Road.
Entertainment and culture
Guildford is a hotspot for leisure facilities and activities, with something to keep everyone busy. We are also home to a flourishing arts community and offer a wide range of classes, groups and musical ensembles.
Sport and fitness
- Hit the gym or take a fitness class at Surrey Sports Park
- Watch Surrey 89s the professional Super League Basketball competition at Surrey Sports Park
- Ice skating, bowling and swimming at Spectrum Leisure Complex
- Bounce around at AirHop Trampoline Park.
Casual hang-out spots
- Relax at Unplug + Play - a board game café
- Challenge yourself at Paradox Parlours Escape Rooms
- Watch the latest blockbuster releases at Odeon Cinema.
Theatre
- Yvonne Arnaud Theatre hosts shows and performances throughout the year, including Guildford’s popular pantomimes
- G Live hosts a range of well-known comedians, bands and more throughout the year
- Head to The Electric Theatre for live performances including Guildford’s annual Jazz Festival.
Live music and gigs
- The famous Boileroom, which has hosted big names such as Ed Sheeran, The 1975 and Bastille over the years.
- Guildford’s longest-running live music venue, The Star Inn, with its cosy pub vibe and intimate gig room.
History and culture
- Guildford Castle and garden grounds are perfect for a short stroll
- Guildford Cathedral sits right next to the Stag Hill campus and will host your graduation ceremony in a few years’ time
- The Guildhall is a taste of 16th-century Guildford, often hosting community events and the annual Guildford Christmas light switch on event
- Guildford House Gallery has a cafe, exhibitions and craft shop.
Health and beauty
You will find a wide range of places in Guildford for health and beauty, including barbers, hairdressers, pharmacies and more.
We recommend that you register with a local GP before you arrive, so that you can get access to healthcare as soon as you come to university.
Barbers
Hairdressers and salons
Pharmacies
Check out our Google Map with all of Guildford's GPs and pharmacies.
Sports centres and gyms
Spas and treatments
- The Treatment Room at Surrey Sports Park
- Mavericks Hairdressing Salon
- Sia Beauty
- Harbour Hotel
- Relaxation Rooms
Outdoors, green spaces and parks
Breathtaking panoramas await – choose from a gentle stroll along the River Wey, a circular walk around one of the many picturesque villages or an adventurous hike along the North Downs and Greensand Way. Or have a picnic on a sunny day at one of these picnic spots.
Guildford’s largest park, Stoke Park, has plenty of beautiful open green space, a skate park, paddling pool, boating pond and mini golf course. It is also the location for Guildford's bonfire night, with torchlight procession, fireworks display and funfair.
Probably the best views in Surrey can be seen from Newlands Corner. Great hiking and picnic spot.
Box Hill is well worth a visit with spectacular views, lots of walking opportunities and great places nearby to sample local food and drink.
Pewley Downs is a short walk from the town centre you can enjoy a break with great views over the surrounding countryside and Chantry Wood.
Those at Hazel Farm can enjoy a long walk around Whitmoor Common, with 183 hectares to explore.
Market days
Whether it’s local arts and crafts that you are interested in, or you want to sample some of the finest local produce from around the south east, Guildford’s regular markets are popular for many reasons.
- Guildford Farmers' Market – taking place on the Guildford High Street, first Tuesday of every month, 10:30am to 3:30pm.
- North Street Market – more than 20 stalls offering a variety of goods including fresh meat, fish, fruit and veg, flowers and more. Every Friday and Saturday, from 8am to 4:30pm.
Don’t forget that the Students’ Union also hosts a weekly fruit and veg market every Thursday in Rubix, which also often welcomes vintage clothing fairs and a range of food stalls offering worldwide cuisine.
