There’s no shortage of things to do in Guildford. Wander around the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or walk along the River Wey, Guildford is best known for its green spaces. Whether you’re in the mood for live music, casual drinks, or a bit to eat, Guildford has a large student community with many bars, cafes and pubs close by. There are also regular student nights at the clubs in town, stand-up comedy and karaoke bars like Popworld to sing your heart out in. For live music and bottomless brunch, check out Pews Bar & Courtyard or if you’re in the mood for something more laidback, Wates House or Hari’s Bar on Surrey Uni campus are great to hang out and meet new friends, with a quiz night every Tuesday. 

You’re also less than an hour away from all the sights including Big Ben, the big London Parks, and the London Eye on London’s South Bank. Check out our guide on the Best Things to Do in Guildford here.  

Guildford is the perfect mix of old and new. Right in the heart of town, Guildford Castle is a sight to see. Climb to the top of the Great Tower for 360 views of the town and its surrounding countryside or take a walk around the landscaped gardens and admire the floral displays.   

For live music, comedy and dance, check out The Electric Theatre and G-Live. The Boileroom is also a really cool venue with intimate gigs where you can discover up and coming talent (Bastille and Ed Sheeran are amongst the artists that have played there!) Art lovers can visit Watts Gallery to explore the incredible works of George Frederic Watts ('England's Michelangelo') and theatre lovers can catch award-winning productions at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre bringing you all the excitement of the West-End without the heavy price tag.   

There are lots of great spots to grab food and drinks in Guildford. If it’s a caffeine fix you’re after, check out hidden gem Coffee Culture or Harris and Hoole for their top-notch coffee. Other popular spots include Positano for authentic Italian food (served inside a charming red brick building), Pho for fast, tasty Vietnamese food and Turtle Bay for Caribbean beach snacks and cocktails.   

If you’re looking for a spot with a view, The Weyside and Britannia are right on the banks of the River Wey overlooking the water, ideal for a spot of sunshine on a warm afternoon. There’s also Brasil Vegano just a short walk away from Scape serving up delicious vegan dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a colourful jungle inspired café.

Guildford town centre is close by with lots of high-street shops and independent boutiques where you can pick up fashion, beauty and homeware essentials. The Friary is the largest shopping centre in town with over 50 stores, including student favourites like Zara and Mango. For designer labels visit Tungsgate Quarter or if you’re just running errands, White Lion Walk has a hairdresser, nail salon and Starbucks.

Don’t miss Guildford Farmers' Market on the first Tuesday of every month, where you can pick up some fresh flowers or baked treats to enjoy after class.

If you fancy getting out of the the busy town centre, there are lots of green spaces to get lost in nature. Guildford is surrounded by the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with fantastic landscapes for walking and hiking when you need a break from your textbooks. Spend a day following one of the hiking trails or pack yourself a picnic and just enjoy the views, there’s so much to be discovered. 

If you prefer the waterside, you can take a stroll along the banks of the River Wey running through Guildford. Kayaking is a popular activity to take up on the river if you’re feeling adventurous. For a swim, check out Guildford Lido. With a 50-meter heated outdoor pool, it’s perfect for a dip all year round. You can also head to Stoke Park with some friends to play sports on the open fields or chill out by the pond. There’s a skate park and mini-golf course too.  

If you’re going to university in Guildford, Scape couldn’t be more convenient. The University of Surrey is a 5-minute walk from our front door with some of our rooms overlooking the leafy Stag Hill campus. We’re also just 10-minutes from the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) and a 15-minute cycle to the University of Law. UCA campuses are easy to reach too. Just take a 30-minute bus ride to UCA Farnham or a 35-minute train to UCA Epsom, either way is a breeze.  

Going to university elsewhere? There are quick transport links to take to your campus. View travel times here.

Getting around Guildford is a breeze thanks to its extensive bus service that covers most of the area. If you need to head into town, hop on a bus that’ll take you straight there. Walking is also convenient if you want to up your step count, with plenty of shortcuts walking along the River Wey over bridges and underpasses. Just a 10-minute walk from Scape is Guildford High Street with all its restaurants, shops and pubs, along with Guildford train station where you can get regular trains into central London.  

You can reach London Waterloo station in less than 40-minutes by train. Or if you’re feeling spontaneous you can go in the opposite direction and arrive in the beautiful coast of Portsmouth in under an hour. London Gatwick and Heathrow Airport are also accessible by train or coach if you want to go abroad or visit friends and family during term holidays.