Guildford Castle

Visit Guildford Castle and head to the top of the Great Tower for a 360 degree panoramic view of Guildford and the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Castle opening times

In 2003 - 2004 the Great Tower was conserved and the original crenellations and other features were discovered.

A roof and floor were reinstated at first floor level, which has made the building more accessible to visitors. The Tower contains a model of the original castle circa 1300, and interpretation panels tracing its history to the present day.

There is a visitor platform on the roof offering panoramic views of Guildford. There is a small gift shop on the ground floor of the castle.

January - February: Closed
March: Saturday and Sunday only, 11am - 4pm (last admission 3.30pm)
April - September: Monday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm (last admission 4.30pm)
October: Saturday and Sunday only, 11am - 4pm (last admission 3.30pm)
October half-term: Monday - Sunday, 11am - 4pm (last admission 3.30pm)
November - December: Closed

Admission

Adult: £3.20
Child/Concessions: £1.60

The castle grounds are open all year round and admission is free. There is a small charge to visit the Castle Keep.

Dogs are welcome if kept on a lead.

Game of Thrones - The Hardhome Embroidery

From 7 July to 8 August, Guildford Castle will be home to a giant embroidered image of White Walker from the TV series Game of Thrones.

White Walker is one of a mythical race which descended on Westeros front, the farthest north and polar regions of the lands of "Always Winter". They kill everything in their path. Their arrival is usually accompanied by blizzards and dropping temperatures.

This stunning embroidery was commissioned by the HBO Home Entertainment TV Network to form the backdrop to mark the release of the Game of Thrones Series Five DVD and Blue Ray boxed set.

Game of Thrones image The Embroiderers' Guild led the design and production of the piece and invited stitch partners The Royal School of Needlework, Hand & Lock and Fine Cell Work to participate. The final image was selected by HBO and it features one of the most intense battle scenes in TV history - the massacre of Hardhome. The first design and production meeting took place just before Christmas 2015, stitching started in mid January 2016 and the piece, measuring 5 metres in length and 4 metres high (nearly 17ft x 13ft 6 inches), was completed during the second week of March 2016... an outstanding achievement by all concerned. Anthea Godfrey, Artistic Director of the Embroiderers' Guild and Project Manager, commented: "This has been an amazing project that truly has brought the embroidery community together across the whole of the UK. There is a huge variety of textile skills involved in making the piece, including digital print, surface stitch, machine embroidery, metal thread work beading, applique and quilting.

The normal entrance fee to the Great Tower (adult £3.20; child £1.60) applies. Concession tickets are available.

Come and see this magnificent embroidery and explore over 900 years of history all in one visit.

There is no step-free access to this part of the Great Tower.

Inspired by Alice Family Fun Day

Date and time:

Sunday 6 August, from 11am-4pm.

Location:

Castle Grounds.

Join us in the grounds of historic Guildford Castle for a day of entertainment inspired by Lewis Carroll's famous story book character Alice.

Entry to the grounds and many of the activities and events will be free.

The programme for the day will include live music, performances and readings from the Alice stories and writings of Lewis Carroll, children's events, stalls and vendors.

Alice family fun day

Medieval Machines

Date and time:

7 - 29 October (11am - 4pm).

Location:

Guildford Castle (entry charge applies).

The medieval period was one of great creativity and development. Many of the basic technologies which underpinned the renaissance and later the industrial revolution were first developed, while at the same time innovations from Roman times were rediscovered and refined.

With this exhibition you can explore these technologies first hand, and get an insight into the roots of modern technology and the inventiveness of our ancestors.