GUILDFORD HISTORY

Guildford was founded by Saxon settlers shortly after the Roman's left Britain around 410 AD, on a sitewhere the Harrow Way crossed the River Wey via a ford. The 'Guild' part of Guildford's name is believed to come from Gold and refers to the golden sand on the banks of this part of the River Wey. It is referred to as both Geldeford and Gildeford in the 1086 Domesday book.

Guildford Castle is Saxon in origin and overlooks the pass through the hills taken by the Pilgrims' Way as well as the ford across the River Wey. This not only afforded military control of this important East-West route way across the country, but also helped to overawe the conquered population when William the Conqueror rebuilt the castle after gaining control of Guildford after the Battle of Hastings.

The Guildhall itself was built in the 1300s and extended to the North in 1589 with the Council Chamber added in 1683. This was also the year that the first projecting clock was made for the front of the building overlooking the High Street.It was in 1683 when a projecting clock was made for the front of the building and can be seen throughout the High Street.

In 1598, a court case referred to a sport called kreckett being played at the Royal Grammar School in Guildford. The Oxford English Dictionary gives this as the first recorded instance of cricket in the English language. And on a similar subject, in 1598, a court case referred to a sport called kreckett being played at the Royal Grammar School in Guildford. The Oxford English Dictionary gives this as the first recorded instance of cricket in the English language.

George Abbot founded the Hospital of the Holy Trinity in 1619 - now known as Abbot's Hospital, one of the finest sets of almshouses in the country. Abbot's Hospital is a magnificent Jacobean building and the final resting place of George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury (1611 – 1633). Still used as a residential home, tours are available by appointment.