Things to do in Guildford
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Top 10 attractions in Guildford
Windsor Castle
• Stroll through Windsor Castle, the royal family's ancestral home • Admire exquisite treasures in the national suites • Enjoy audio guides and savor the beauty of the castle Windsor Castle has been the family residence of the British royal House of Windsor, situated on a hill overlooking the River Thames. Originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, the castle's design has evolved over time due to its long history, changing royal tastes, and financial circumstances, blending classical and modern elements. Windsor Castle can be divided into the Upper Ward, Middle Ward, and Lower Ward. The Upper Ward mainly features royal furnishings like the Waterloo Chamber (banquet hall) and art galleries. The Middle Ward has the Round Tower surrounded by the Rose Garden, while the Lower Ward includes Gothic-style St. George's Chapel among other attractions. The upper section primarily consists of state suites and royal private suites, renowned for their collection of royal paintings and treasures. With furniture and decorations dating back to the Middle Ages, each room here can be considered a small art gallery. The central area here is dominated by the round tower surrounded by rose gardens, originally built of wood and later reconstructed in stone. The round tower once served as a prison for royal political enemies but now primarily houses the royal archives and photography collections. St. George's Chapel in the Lower Ward is a fine example of English Gothic architecture, renowned for its magnificent stone fan-vaulted ceiling and exquisite stained glass windows. It has also hosted numerous royal weddings.Windsor · 27.6km from Guildford
RHS Garden Wisley
This exquisite botanical garden boasts a diverse collection of plant species. In spring, the mountainside transforms into a breathtaking floral spectacle.Woking · 11km from Guildford
LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
·Enjoy 55 LEGO-themed rides, facilities and attractions ·Can't-miss character meet-and-greets, live performances and 4D movie experiences ·Explore the LEGO Store & King's Market and enjoy shopping LEGOLAND Windsor Theme Park in the UK is definitely a paradise for adults and children. There are many models built with Lego bricks. The Mini Park is worth seeing. Here, famous European and American landscapes are scaled down. The details of the miniature landscape are rich and vivid, and there are vehicles and people in the city. In addition to Lego models, there are 55 amusement rides and attractions in the amusement park, such as a pirate ship and a large maze, suitable for adventure and fun for the whole family! △ Enjoy a 4D movie that will make the whole family laugh - Officer In Pursuit △ Take a close look at the models of landmarks in the Miniland, featuring nearly 40 million LEGO bricks △ Join pirates' quest for treasure with Captain Blackheart △ Test your ninja skills as you battle through ice, wind and fire with the NINJAGO heroesWindsor · 25.9km from Guildford
London Eye
Take a ride on the incredible 135-metre London Eye and enjoy a panoramic view of London's stunning skyline, packed with iconic landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and more. Ride during the day, at night, at sunset, or at dusk—which will you choose? The London Eye has a total of 32 air-conditioned, fully enclosed cabins, each of which can accommodate approximately 25 people. It takes about half an hour to complete a full rotation. The cabins are equipped with explanations of various sights in London, which play when they rotate to the corresponding angle. In addition, touch-sensitive information panels are also available.London · 43.1km from Guildford
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew boasts 326 acres of beautiful gardens and houses the world's largest living plant collection. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, located just a 30-minute drive from London city center. Explore our famous glasshouses: step into the iconic Palm House to experience the charm of tropical rainforests, or admire over 10,000 plant species up close in the Temperate House—a treasure of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The Temperate House is the world's largest surviving Victorian glasshouse, restored in 2018. The 17 m contemporary art installation "The hive" celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026, exploring the importance and plight of bees, while the towering treetop walkway offers a unique perspective overlooking the gardens. Those with a fear of heights can stroll along the vibrant broad walk, admire unique botanical art and special exhibitions in our gallery, or relax in the cozy restaurant. In the newly built carbon garden, you can marvel at the striking fungi-inspired pavilion, learn about the scale of the climate crisis, and explore how plants can help us address it. As a global scientific charity, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is dedicated to helping halt biodiversity loss and developing nature-based solutions to some of humanity's most pressing global challenges. △ Discover rare tropical plants in the Palm House △Kew Palace was built in 1631. A century later, George III received his education here and used it as a summer palace. △ The Davies Alpine House features many alpine plants that can withstand the harsh conditions of Earth's polar regions or mountain peaks. △ Travel through 10 different climate zones in the Princess of Wales Conservatory △Water lily greenhouse(Waterlily House, closed in winter) features giant Amazon water lilies with leaves up to 3 m wideLondon · 33km from Guildford
The British Museum
The British Museum is one of the largest and most renowned museums in the world. The British Museum houses over 8 million cultural relics and treasures from around the globe, with its vast quantity and diversity of collections being rare among museums worldwide. Rich collection of treasures Due to its vast collection, The British Museum can nearly showcase the entire course of world civilization. Despite spatial limitations, it still displays approx. 50,000 items simultaneously. The main collections date from the medieval period, with particular renown for ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman artifacts, alongside a wealth of precious cultural relics from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. Many cultural treasures from around the world can only be seen in their authentic form here. Ancient Greek-style main building The main building emulates ancient Greek architecture, featuring a grand entrance with a tall colonnade flanked by eight thick and towering Roman-style columns on each side, topped by a pediment roof adorned with reliefs. Entering through the main door leads to the great court, which is connected to over 100 galleries of various sizes surrounding it. Inspired by the Louvre Pyramid, the great court is bright, spacious, and elegantly minimalist. Bright central atrium The great court was originally part of the British Library. After the library moved out, it was transformed into a covered square with a white color scheme. The square's massive semi-transparent roof is composed of many uniquely shaped glass panels, combined with white stone, ensuring excellent lighting even on gloomy days in London. The sculptures displayed in the court are genuine treasures, such as the marble lion and Easter Island statues. Additionally, artists from around the world occasionally perform here, adding a relaxed atmosphere to the solemn museum. At the center of the grand atrium is the reading room, displaying art literature and books open to the public, where travelers can admire the dome and quaint circular bookshelves up close. The entrance of the reading room is marked with the names of notable figures to commemorate their time spent reading here. Cafés and restaurants are located on both sides and above the grand atrium, offering dining options with a view overlooking the entire space. Along the outer edge of the reading room lies the museum shop, where visitors can purchase souvenirs after their tour. Three iconic treasures The Rosetta Stone: Originally from Egypt, this stone bears three different script versions of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh's decree. Through comparing these scripts, archaeologists gradually unlocked the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian civilization. However, the Rosetta Stone displayed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo is a replica. Admonitions scroll: The scroll consists of 12 paintings in total, with The British Museum housing 9 Tang dynasty replica versions. The Admonitions scroll ranks 39th in BBC's "A History of the World in 100 Objects," highlighting its immense cultural and historical value. Throughout history, the scroll has been collected by numerous emperors and high-ranking officials. The Elgin Marbles: These are sculptural fragments from the Parthenon, with a history of over 2,500 years. They have been housed in the museum for over 200 years since the British royal family purchased them at great expense. Specialty exhibition halls Asian pavilions: Halls 33 and 95. Hall 33 features artifacts from China, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, including collections from countries like India. Hall 33B is dedicated to Chinese jade artifacts, while Hall 95 showcases Chinese ceramics. The British Museum is one of the museums with the largest collections of lost Chinese artifacts, housing over 25,000 pieces, with approx. 2,000 on long-term display. The exhibition is meticulously designed, organizing Shang and Zhou dynasty bronzes along a chronological sequence, displaying artifacts from the Shang and Zhou, Qin and Han, to the Republican era. The major kilns of porcelain are divided into different curated sections by Ru, Ge, Jun, Ding, and Guan styles, presented professionally and systematically. Recommended artifacts to admire include large Tang tri-color ceramics, the Song Cizhou kiln "circus pillow," the Yuan blue-and-white fish and algae pattern large plate, Ming Xuande cloisonné, and Dunhuang mural Buddha statues. Ancient Egypt exhibition hall: halls 4, 61-66. One of the popular spots in the museum. The exhibits include mummies. The ancient Egypt hall is also one of the most visited exhibition halls, and almost all visitors to The British Museum make it a must-see. Ancient Greek and Roman galleries: rooms 11-23, 69-73, 77, 78, 82-85. The entire Parthenon is truly awe-inspiring, along with numerous ancient Greek marble sculptures and exquisite artifacts like vases. Don't miss the Portland Vase in room 70. Some exhibits are not suitable for long-term display and are only open during specific periods each year (including the mentioned Admonitions scroll). If you plan to visit, check the schedule on the official website in advance.London · 44km from Guildford
Buckingham Palace
Explore the nineteen magnificent state rooms at Buckingham Palace, where the royal family hosts state activities and grand ceremonies. You will stroll through the white drawing room, music room, state room, and blue drawing room, culminating in the highlight of the tour—the throne room. The arch and canopy were designed by architect John Nash. The pair of thrones in the room were used consecutively for the coronations of Elizabeth II and Charles III. The king's official portrait after his coronation was photographed here and is now permanently displayed alongside the queen's portrait. △ In the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, a guard detachment replaces another to become the king's guard, marching from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace accompanied by music. △ At Buckingham Palace's King's Gallery, travelers can view constantly updated exhibitions of the royal collection, including works by old masters, rare furniture, decorative art, and a vast array of photographs. △ The royal mews is one of the world's prestigious still-operating mews, and also houses the collection of royal carriages, Windsor greys, and Cleveland bays. To this day, the mews remains responsible for the transportation of His Majesty the King and other members.London · 41.9km from Guildford
Hampton Court Palace
This Christmas, you are invited into an enchanted world. Step insideThe Winter Palace in the glowing halls of Hampton Court Palace - where mythical beasts join the most magical ball of the year. Throughout the palace, extraordinary creatures are gathering to welcome you to a celebration like no other. It's festive. It's mystical. And it's brand new for 2026. Start a new unforgettable Christmas family tradition. Hampton Court Palace is hailed as "the Versailles of England" and stands as an outstanding example of Tudor architecture, boasting magnificent structures and profound historical significance. Construction of the palace began in 1515 under the direction of Cardinal Wolsey, a key minister of Henry VIII, adhering strictly to Tudor design principles with 1,280 rooms, making it one of Britain's grandest buildings at the time. After Wolsey's fall from favor due to his excessive power, he passed away in 1530, and the palace was seized by Henry VIII. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn resided here and expanded the palace, where Edward VI was born and Elizabeth I secretly met her suitors. Later, William III and Queen Mary commissioned British and Dutch architects to renovate the palace. It wasn't until 1838 that Queen Victoria opened it to the public. Visit highlights Hampton Court Palace is divided into three main sections: the Tudor-style buildings on the west side, the Renaissance gardens, and the Baroque-style courtyards. The key areas include: Guoyu: Luxurious suites in the palace that you can't miss. Lobby: Spacious and grand, adorned with exquisite oak relief ceilings and historical tapestries. Kitchen: Historically capable of preparing meals for over a thousand people, it now frequently hosts role-playing activities to recreate historical scenes. Garden: Includes multiple classic English gardens and a fun hedge maze. Palace tour The palace has numerous rooms, and it is recommended to start your visit from the clock court (the entrance adorned with a large clock), where audio guides and cloaks for photography are provided. You can then proceed to the royal chapel and its second-floor gallery to admire the interior decor. The state apartments perfectly preserve the residences of the king and queen, featuring classical and elegant furnishings. The first-floor gallery houses over a thousand paintings, with ceilings and walls adorned by Italian artists' religious and portrait-themed frescoes. The king's bedchamber is decorated with historical artifacts such as elk antlers, while the great hall displays a series of eight "Hampton Court Palace ladies" oil paintings. The great hall is considered the best-preserved medieval hall in England, frequently used for state banquets and celebrations. The kitchen area vividly recreates Tudor-era cooking scenes, with staff portraying chefs and nobles, allowing visitors to take photos and interact. Additionally, the palace is rumored to be haunted, with claims of hearing the footsteps of Henry VIII's deceased queens in the ghost corridor. Outdoor gardens The palace facade is adorned with ancient Roman emperor busts, coat of arms, and bishop heraldry. The expansive gardens feature geometric layouts, fountain gardens, wildflower areas, and the famous hedge maze with a convenient exit at its center. Home park hosts over 300 freely roaming deer, while vineyards planted in 1768 offer fresh grape juice tastings during August visits. From the second floor of the palace, you can enjoy the symmetrical beauty of western gardens and the changing scenery of seasonal flowers. The fountain garden, shaded by lush trees and featuring well-trimmed lawns, is perfect for leisurely picnics.London · 24.7km from Guildford
Westminster Abbey
• Visit the site on the north bank of the Thames where kings were crowned and royal weddings took place • Stroll through the UK's royal burial sites and visit the resting places of royal family members and legendary figures like Newton and Darwin • Explore magnificent, solemn, and serene Gothic architectural masterpieces Westminster Abbey, located on the north bank of the Thames in London and adjacent to the Palace of Westminster, is a Gothic-style royal church in Britain. Magnificent and grand, it is a sacred site in the UK and holds a prominent status among the country's many churches. The Henry VII Chapel is located at the rear of the church, featuring ornate decorations and surrounded by numerous chapels. Above the west door stand ten statues of 20th-century Christian martyrs, installed in 1998, representing figures from around the world, including Martin Luther King Jr.London · 42.5km from Guildford
St. Paul's Cathedral
• Climb up and overlook the entire city of London • Admire the Baroque style • Immerse yourself in royal style St Paul's Cathedral is England's architectural masterpiece and place of national celebration. St Paul's is the only cathedral to have been designed, built and completed by a single architect (Sir Christopher Wren). A cathedral has stood here since 604AD with the current cathedral, rebuilt after the 1666 Great Fire of London, now over 300 years old. St Paul's has hosted events of national significance, from state funerals to the Royal Wedding of HRH Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, as well as national services of thanksgiving to celebrate the Jubilee's of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. St Paul's actually has three domes: an inner dome, a brick cone that supports the lantern, and the outer dome ‘skin'. The inner dome is 225ft high with a diameter of 102 ft. The whole structure weighs 64,000 tonnes.The golden ball on the top of the Dome is six feet in diameter, with room inside for ten people [although visitors can no longer do this]. The golden cross on top of the dome is 355.5ft from the ground meaning St Paul's was the tallest building in London for 252 years until 1962 when the BT tower overtook it. There are over six million pieces of glass mosaic in St Paul's Cathedral. The St Paul's Cathedral Grand Organ has 7,256 pipes, 108 stops and 5 manuals. Both Mendelssohn and Handel played the St Paul's organThe Crypt of St Paul's is the largest in Western Europe, and unusually for a cathedral, is the exact ‘footprint' of the cathedral floor. Explore the awe-inspiring interior of the Cathedral Floor with its monuments, mosaics and art. Climb to the Whispering Gallery to experience its unique acoustic quirk; continue climbing for the breathtaking views over London from the Stone and Golden Galleries. Descend to the Crypt housing the tombs and memorials of some of the nation's greatest heroes, St Paul's has been the venue for some of the nation's grandest funerals, including State Funeral's for Admiral Lord Nelson (1806), Arthur, Duke of Wellington (1852) , Sir Winston Churchill (1965) and the architect of St Pauls, Sir Christopher Wren. The Crypt is home to tombs and memorials to British heroes such as Admiral Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, JMW Turner, Florence Nightingale and Sir Alexander Fleming. Sir Christopher Wren is also buried here, in a very plain grave. On the wall at the head of his tomb is a plain inscription, in Latin, arranged by his son. It translates asIf you seek his monument, look around you. Multimedia guides are included, and family and individual visitors can, subject to availability, join in on the schedule of guided tours and welcome talks offered throughout the day to ticketholders.London · 45km from Guildford
Experiences you can't miss in Guildford
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Free things to do in Guildford
Windsor Castle
Windsor · 27.6km from GuildfordRHS Garden Wisley
Woking · 11km from GuildfordImmediate access, Book now for todayLEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
Windsor · 25.9km from GuildfordImmediate access, Book now for todayLondon Eye
London · 43.1km from GuildfordImmediate access, Book now for todayRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew
London · 33km from GuildfordImmediate access, Book now for todayThe British Museum
London · 44km from GuildfordBuckingham Palace
London · 41.9km from GuildfordHampton Court Palace
London · 24.7km from GuildfordImmediate access, Book now for todayWestminster Abbey
London · 42.5km from GuildfordBook now for tomorrowSt. Paul's Cathedral
London · 45km from GuildfordBook now for tomorrow
What travellers say about Guildford
Elaine32822 August 2026
5.0
Getting from London to Windsor by bus (702 green line) is very convenient, even without taking the train. Photography is prohibited inside the church and castle. Seeing Queen Mary's Toy House reminded me of the inspiration for many miniature landscape designs in China. I personally think it's well worth a visit. Buying tickets is also very convenient. If you want to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony, enter the castle around 1 PM to find a good spot.
Windsor Castle
RAC-795 September 2026
5.0
Excellent place. Big territory with a lot of different garden’s types: apple, Japanese, rose, forest, stone, English, vegetable, bonsai, tropical … A lot of different flowers, trees, bushes, plants. A lot of nice sculptures. Nice walks, positive emotions, relaxing places. Several water canals. Some has fishes. Several cafes and restaurants. We were lucky. In addition it was flowers festival. Recommend you to visit this beautiful place.
RHS Garden Wisley
AngelWong201017 August 2025
5.0
Tickets were issued quickly and the price was reasonable. A must-do for LEGO fans! You can take the 702 direct bus from Victoria Bus Station 7 for three pounds. The two-hour journey includes onboard charging stations and Wi-Fi. This bus also stops at Windsor Castle, so you can head there first.
LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
Catherine Kwong14 October 2026
5.0
Wonderful experience, very nice view and lovely weather in early Aug
London Eye
Anonymous user10 October 2026
5.0
Beautiful garden in the autumn seasons where you can see ducks and squirrels around. Beautiful gardens in a huge garden. The Japanese gate was iconic. And the Chinese tower was iconic too.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Chelsea小星10 October 2026
5.0
I visited the British Columbia University 10 years ago and found it quite challenging. This time, I decided to opt for a guided tour, and the experience was immediately different. The guide was very knowledgeable, providing excellent depth and breadth in their explanations, and answered my questions very well.
The British Museum
lilianna03093 September 2026
5.0
After visiting Windsor Castle and Chatsworth House (Darcy Estate), we then visited Buckingham Palace.
If you could only visit one palace in the UK, it would have to be Buckingham Palace.
Photography is not allowed inside the royal palaces, as is the case with Windsor Castle, so we could focus on the guided tour.
The gift shop after the Buckingham Palace tour has some limited-edition items available only there, making great souvenirs.
I bought a Buckingham Palace + Royal Horse Stables combo ticket. The product page stated that visiting the Royal Horse Stables allowed direct entry to Buckingham Palace, but this wasn't actually the case.
The State Rooms and the Royal Horse Stables are exchanged at two separate locations, not far apart. However, the ticket exchange and verification are handled by different people, and the verification personnel strictly adhere to the reserved time.
The Royal Horse Stables houses the Golden Carriage used exclusively for coronation ceremonies, which is worth seeing; there are also carriages for tourists to ride in and take photos.
Buckingham Palace
Yang12131411 August 2026
5.0
It's definitely worth a visit; the palace and gardens are beautiful. Knowing about the Tudor dynasty, especially the gossip surrounding Henry VIII, will make it particularly interesting—the beheaded queen, the haunted cloisters, and so on. However, due to the severe drought in England this year, the gardens and lawns are dry, which slightly diminishes the view.
Hampton Court Palace
M14***4912 October 2026
5.0
This is a must-see attraction in London. The architecture itself and its historical and cultural value are both important. After seeing so many royal coffins, you can't even remember who's who. The tombstones of Darwin and Hawking are also a must-see.
Westminster Abbey
花花小兔21 August 2026
5.0
Much cheaper than the official website, and the entry was incredibly smooth. The Great Dome was absolutely stunning; it was definitely worth the effort to climb up and overlook the east bank of the Thames. I even went to see the Harry Potter staircase from the staff. A truly fulfilling experience.
St. Paul's Cathedral
