Sitting on the doorstep of the North Downs, Guildford is the county town of Surrey. It sits right at the heart of the county and equidistant from London and Portsmouth, appealing to those who are keen to be within reach of both city and coast.

Guildford lies on the ancient drove road and pilgrim route running from Winchester to Canterbury. The town began as a Saxon village and was known as Guilden (golden) Ford, possibly relating to the golden sands on the banks of the River Wey or the flowers that grew there.

Its historic High Street is now arguably one of the best high streets in the south east and it's home to an eclectic mix of both major stores and independent shops as well as regular farmers’ markets and indeed our own office.

With a 20th-century, Grade II* listed cathedral and a castle which is thought to have been built by William the Conqueror, or one of his barons, shortly after 1066, Guildford has a wonderful array of architecture spanning the ages.

The commuter town has long appealed to those moving out of London, particularly from the capital's south west, in search of more space, countryside and better value for money. There are services into Waterloo in less than 40 minutes and London Bridge in around an hour. Reading is also within easy reach in less than 40 minutes, while services to Portsmouth take just over an hour.  

Families are attracted to the area thanks to the fantastic range of schooling available at all levels, both state and independent. Rydes Hill, Guildford High School, the Royal Grammar School and Tormead School are a particular draw. George Abbot School and Guildford County School are also very popular, and further afield, but still within easy reach, are Cranleigh School and Charterhouse in Godalming.

A wealth of further and higher education is offered within the town, including Guildford College, the University of Law and the University of Surrey. Surrey Research Park is owned and operated by the university, and is a major centre of excellence in technology, science, health, space and engineering.

The arts are also well catered for with the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford School of Acting and the Academy of Contemporary Music, while sports enthusiasts can head to Spectrum leisure complex in Stoke Park and Surrey Sports Park.

In more recent years, the town has been dubbed ‘the Hollywood of Games’ – a hub for software and video game development. The growing industry is thought to be worth more than £90 million in Guildford, which is home to 60 games studios, including Electronic Arts (EA Games), and around 3,000 of the most skilled programmers in the world.

In terms of the property landscape, the area is characterised by a blend of the new and old, with everything from modern apartments to grand period townhouses. Generally speaking, properties are more expensive the closer to the station they are and the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’ is a particularly sought-after area with premium family homes. Properties here offer the best of everything, with the station, High Street, schools and countryside, including Chantry Wood, all within easy reach.

When people move to Guildford, it tends to be for the long term, ‘for the next 20 years or so’, which means there is always competition for homes to meet the demand from both those moving to the area as well as local buyers either upsizing or downsizing. 

Those looking outside the town itself are spoilt for choice with a wealth of picturesque villages, including Cranleigh, Wonersh, Shalford, Shamley Green, Albury, Chiddingfold and Holmbury St Mary. The towns of Godalming and Haslemere are also popular.

Looking to the future, developers are continuing to invest strongly in the area. There is significant regeneration underway in the town centre, with the council planning to open up and connect the riverside to the High Street.

• Is now a good time to sell, buy or let in Guildford? Join us at our Local Property Insights event on February 9 to hear our experts share the latest insights, trends and forecasts for the local property market. Register here 

Further information

Contact Alastair Mercer or Matthew Addison Smith

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