The market town of Guildford in Surrey is steeped in history. Settled hundreds of years ago, Guildford became so important by the year 968 that it became the location of the royal mint. Today there are still many attractions and sites for visitors to enjoy.
Built around 1066 the Guildford Castle is one of the top tourist stops. The castle, which started out as a simple wooden Norman motte was renovated to a stone castle in the 12th Century. One of the remaining features is the small but strong tower keep. The other parts of the castle started to fall in disrepair in 1272. Attempts to renovate and restore the castle in the 1600's failed and now the ruins are part of a park for visitors to enjoy.
Another popular stop is the Guildford Cathedral. Known for being the only cathedral build on a new site in southern England since the reformation, this building was in place back in the 1930s but wasn't consecrated until 1961. The exterior is almost a plain site but the inside houses a beautiful nave and treasures from artists such as John Cobbett, and Vernon Hill.
Architecture isn't the only thing to do in Guildford. Families can visit Guilford Spectrum and enjoy a wonderful afternoon of swimming, bowling and ice skating. If you visit between September and April you can even take in a professional hockey game. There are also two ice-discos for the kids to enjoy during the weekends.
If you are interested in the night life there is lots to enjoy. For those that like the club scene there are several night clubs to visit. If you are looking for something more along the lines of cultural then check out the Guilford Philharmonic Orchestra. The venue for the Philharmonic can be at a variety of places from the Cathedral to a country garden but one thing doesn't change the beautiful music. Patrons will enjoy a variety of styles of music ranging from 16th century chamber music up to present day music.
Visitors interested in the theatre should go see the Pranksters Theatre Company. This company is known for their imaginative staging of a variety of plays. You can see modern plays or Shakespeare. They perform everything from tragedies to comedies.
Ghost hunters can take the Ghost Tour of Guilford. This guided tour starts at 8pm every Friday night from March to November and also on Halloween. During your 1 ¾ hour tour of the city you will visit twenty mysterious or haunted sites. You might even see a spook or spirit.
The ancient town of Guildford is full of history, fun and ghost stories for all to enjoy.
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