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About this place
Guildford House is a historic townhouse built in 1660 at 155 High Street in Guildford, Surrey, England. Today it serves as a municipal museum and art gallery, and the building itself holds the highest, Grade I, listing.
What is Guildford House?
It is one of the best-preserved examples of seventeenth-century town architecture in Guildford. The house stands on the town's main street, historically its commercial spine, so it is easy to find on a walk through the centre. Building began around 1660, soon after the first owner bought the plot. Sources spell his surname in several ways, so no single form can be given with confidence.
How has the building been used?
For generations it was a private home, later owned by the Martyr family. Accounts differ on exactly when the family acquired it. In the twentieth century its uses changed completely: between 1914 and 1928 it housed a stationer and bookseller, and at another point it was a shop and restaurant. In 1959 it became a gallery, and it has been open to visitors as a cultural venue ever since.
What can you see inside?
The gallery runs changing temporary exhibitions, so check the programme before you go. Its collection includes more than 550 works. John Russell, Guildford's best-known artist, is especially well represented. The rooms and façade are as much part of the visit as the art, showing how a prosperous townsman's house looked in the years after the Restoration.
Restoration and what is on offer now
The council completed a four-year restoration in 2025. Today the building contains the gallery, a gift shop and the Tourist Information Centre. That makes it a sensible first stop in Guildford: you can pick up a map, ask about local attractions and see an exhibition in one visit.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Guildford House? At 155 High Street, Guildford, Surrey.
When was it built? In 1660.
Is it a museum or gallery? Yes. It is a municipal art gallery and museum with temporary exhibitions and a collection of more than 550 works.
Can I get tourist information there? Yes, the Tourist Information Centre is based in the building.
How long should I allow? About an hour is enough for the exhibitions and interiors, a little longer if you have a strong interest in art.
Who is it for? Anyone interested in architecture, local history or art, and anyone who wants to start exploring the town from its main street.
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