Founded by Saxons settlers, Guildford is steeped in history. It has all the richness and amenities of a city and yet remains compact enough to explore and enjoy with ease. In the streets and lanes around the cobbled High street, there awaits a wealth of history to discover including the castle built by William the Conqueror - Surrey's only Royal castle - and the house and grave of the author Lewis Carroll.
Guildford had become the commercial centre of Surrey by the 10th century, with the establishment of the Royal Mint in the town. The tower of the church of St. Mary dates back to this time and is the only surviving part of Saxon Guildford. Guildford today is a delightful town retaining much of its historical charm. It has many contrasts and its hilly aspect means the visitor can move from the modern to the past quite suddenly. The closeness of the Castle and the river provide unexpected treasures amongst the activity of a thriving town. As a place to shop, Guildford has a particularly good selection of high street stores alongside a huge variety of smaller and specialist shops.