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).
Heritage Open Days
Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture. It allows everyone a chance to explore exciting, historic places and learn about local architecture and culture.
Dates: Saturday 14 September 2024 Discover more information about the events at
Early Opening and Vintage Toy Vehicles!
Date:Saturday 14 September 10am until 4.30pm (last entry 4pm)
Our museum will open earlier than normal for this special heritage celebration. Drop by to see our colourful exhibition From a Garrison to a Garden or our display of Olympic memorabilia bequeathed to us from Olympic torch relay runner, Austin Playfoot and lots more!
10am until 12pm and 2pm until 4pm: See vintage toy vehicles and Victory Industry slot cars up close with our Collections team. Families can make their own paper race car and drive toy vehicles on our play table.
From a Garrison to a Garden
Dates: 27 April to 14 September 2024
Free
Discover stories of Guildford Castle. From Norman fortress, to surviving medieval tower surrounded by glorious gardens. The exhibition tells the story of the Castle Gardens too, with a crafted garden at the centre of the display.
Design a flowerbed
Take inspiration from the photos of flowerbeds in the Castle Grounds to design your very own flowerbed. Will your design commemorate a special event? 80 years since D-Day? The Olympics and Paralympics in Paris? Or perhaps your birthday?
Hand your design in at the Welcome Desk and they will add it to the display, or you can take it home with you.
Colour in a flower to display on our collage wall
Design and create a coloured flower to bring to life our crafted flower display. Hand your flower to the Welcome Desk to get a sticky pad to add it to the collage wall.
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.
A Tale of Two Torches: Austin Playfoot and the London Olympic Games
Date:From Saturday 20 July 2024
Marking the Paris 2024 Olympics, see the torches carried by Elstead's Austin who carried the Olympic torch in both the 1948 and 2012 London Games. See both of Austin's torches, carried in Guildford and Surrey on display, along with photographs and memorabilia from both Olympic Games.
You can also join in our Olympic Torch Family Fun activities. See details below:
A Tale of Two Torches: Austin Playfoot and the London Olympic Games
Olympics Craft and Storytime Family Fun!
Date: Tuesday 6 August
Times: 10.30am until 11.15am
Location: Guildford Library
Free, donations welcome.
Enjoy Olympic stories and make an Olympic relay torch. No booking required, first-come-first-served.
