Guildford House restoration works complete
This Grade I listed building is on the High Street in Guildford. It's home to Guildford House Gallery, a gift shop and the Tourist Information Centre.
Dating back to 1660, it was built for John Childe, a successful lawyer who served as the Mayor of Guildford three times. The works have restored this historic building to its former glory and helped to preserve it for future generations to enjoy.
Repair and restoration work on Guildford House began in 2021, including the following:
- Stripping damaged tiles from the upper section and retiling with custom made replacements
- Repairing and/or replacing rotten sections of timber and rotten window sills
- Stripping paint from the decorative carved wood window aprons. This revealed the original intricate details underneath
- Redecoration of the rear courtyard elevations
The redecoration of the front street elevation began last summer. The work was finished earlier this month, marking the final phase of the restoration project.
Lead Councillor for Finance and Property, Cllr Richard Lucas said:
"It is brilliant to see the renovation work on Guildford House has now been completed. Our teams have worked hard over the past four years to carry out vital repairs and restorations to this historic building.
"The results are fantastic and I'm very proud of the work our teams have done. Not only have original features been brought back to life, but key structural repairs have also been made, which means that the building can continue to be enjoyed by visitors for years to come."
More information about Guildford House can be found on our website.
Published on: 27 March 2025