Guildford Museum
What's on at Guildford Museum
Explore our local history from the age of prehistoric man to modern life and times. Discover more about famous people connected with Guildford and Surrey. Including garden designer Gertrude Jekyll and author Lewis Carroll. Enjoy our unique collection of needlework and toys. As well as free displays and exhibitions, we have a programme of events and activities for all ages.
We are open Wednesday to Saturdays 12noon to 4.30pm (last entry 4pm).
There are times when we're working hard to changeover our exhibitions, and this might mean that some spaces or displays may be closed. If you're visiting to see a specific display, you can call us on 01483 444751 to check that it's open.
Family Fun! Eggciting Easter Trail!
Date: Saturday 5 to Saturday 19 April
Join our fun free trail around the museum looking for Easter themed clues.
Drop-in, suitable for ages 4+.
Playtime!
Date: Saturday 29 March to November
It's Playtime! at Guildford Museum! Enjoy our fun learning exhibition for all the family.
Explore our display of vintage toys and games from our museum collection and try out Playtime! for yourself and get hands-on with a selection of toys and games available during your visit.
To accompany our Playtime! exhibition we have a range of family fun activities planned. See below:
Playtime Fun! Teddy's Day Out Craft and Storytime
Date: Friday 11 April, 10.30am until 11.15am
Listen to teddy bear stories and make a mask to wear, inspired by the old teddy bear on display in our Playtime! exhibition. All teddy bears welcome!
First come, first served, suitable for ages 2+.
This event will also run at Guildford Library on Wednesday 23 April,10.30am until 11.15am.
Playtime Fun! Toy time!
Date: Friday 11 April, 2pm until 3pm
Join our team as we explore the toys in our Playtime! exhibition. There will be lots of old-fashioned toys to play with including spinning tops and a huge doll's house.
Drop-in, suitable for ages 3+.
Playtime! Relaxed Opening
Date: Wednesday 16 April, 10.30am until 11.30am
Enjoy our Museum outside of normal opening hours. You'll have a chance to see our Playtime! exhibition, play with some old-fashioned toys and make a flextangle, a colourful paper toy.
Pre-booking required.
Suitable for families with children who have an autism spectrum condition or any other sensory needs, aged 5 to 12.
To book or for more information please email heritageservices@guildford.gov.uk or phone 01483 444751.
Playtime Fun! Fascinating Flextangles!
Date: Wednesday 16 April, 12.30pm until 2.30pm
Join the Flextangle fun, making these colourful paper toys inspired by our Playtime! exhibition.
Drop-in, suitable for ages 5+.
Playtime Fun! Moving Pictures
Date: Wednesday 28 May, 12.30pm until 2.30pm
Before films and video games, there were optical toys. Make your own moving image thaumatrope, like the one in our Playtime! exhibition, and play with a zoetrope, another old optical toy.
Drop-in, suitable for ages 5+.
Family Fun! Wheels of Time
Date: Ongoing
Join Roamin' Rex as he travels through time (and around Surrey)! Collect a badge from each participating museum, including ours. For more details, visit Surrey wheels of time. (opens new window)
Soldiers of Surrey: A display from the Surrey Infantry Collection
Dates: available during opening hours
Free entry
June 6, 2024, is the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history. Surrey Infantry Collection display D-Day +80 commemorates this anniversary of the Normandy landings. Explore the role of Surrey men in the Allied D-Day landings through personal artifacts and technical objects.
Image courtesy of the Surrey Infantry Collection.
On the Trail of Guildford's History
Be a history detective! Search Guildford Museum, Quarry Street and Guildford Castle Grounds to find clues which tell us about the past.
Download the trail. (PDF, 1 MB) or pick up a copy from Guildford Museum.