Things to do in Guildford

Windsor · 27.6km from Guildford

1.4k reviews

• Stroll through the family castle of the Windsor dynasty • View the exquisite treasures in the state suite • Enjoy the audio guide and savor the beauty of the castle Windsor Castle sits on a hill on the south bank of the Thames and is one of the official residences still in use by the British royal family today. The castle was first built by William I in the 11th century, and after subsequent expansions and renovations by many monarchs, it blends a variety of architectural styles, including a Norman fortress, a medieval palace, and Georgian state apartments, and is also one of the few medieval castles in Europe that are still inhabited today. The castle is divided into the upper, middle, and lower wards. The upper ward centers on the state rooms, which display famous paintings, armor, and fine furniture collected by monarchs over the centuries, including works by masters such as Holbein, Van Dyck, and Rubens; the Waterloo Chamber was built by George IV to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon, and its walls hang portraits of allied monarchs and commanders. The upper area also houses Queen Mary's Dolls' House, created by architect Edwin Lutyens in the 1920s, with exquisitely detailed interiors that even include electricity and running water. The central area is marked by a round tower, which was originally built of wood and later rebuilt in stone. Today, it houses royal documents and a photography collection, and the moat garden below the tower is planted with roses and other flowers. St. George's Chapel in the Lower Ward is a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture, founded in the 15th century and renowned for its magnificent stone fan vaulting and stained glass windows—looking up at the vaulting is an unmissable experience when visiting. The chapel is also the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, has hosted numerous royal weddings, and is the burial place of several British monarchs.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Surrey

RHS Garden Wisley

4.4

Woking · 11km from Guildford

10 reviews

This exquisite botanical garden boasts a diverse collection of plant species. In spring, the mountainside transforms into a breathtaking floral spectacle.

London · 43.1km from Guildford

London Eye

10

4.6/5

3.2k reviews

Take a ride on the incredible 135-metre London Eye and enjoy a panoramic view of London's stunning skyline, packed with iconic landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and more. Ride during the day, at night, at sunset, or at dusk—which will you choose? The London Eye has a total of 32 air-conditioned, fully enclosed cabins, each of which can accommodate approximately 25 people. It takes about half an hour to complete a full rotation. The cabins are equipped with explanations of various sights in London, which play when they rotate to the corresponding angle. In addition, touch-sensitive information panels are also available.

2026 Europe 50 - Family-friendly Attractions

LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort

7

4.5/5

187 reviews

LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort is located in Windsor, Berkshire, UK. Opened in 1996, it is a LEGO theme park built on the former site of Windsor Safari Park. Centered on LEGO bricks, the park is divided into multiple themed areas and features dozens of rides and experiences, mainly targeting families with children aged 2 to 12. The park's signature area is Miniland, where nearly 40 million LEGO bricks recreate miniature landscapes of cities such as London, Edinburgh, Paris, and Amsterdam, along with iconic landmarks from around the world including the Sydney Opera House, the Forbidden City, and St. Basil's Cathedral. Vehicles, trains, and boats in the miniature scenes run automatically via underground cables and sensor systems, making the entire mini city seem to come alive. Beyond the LEGO model displays, the park offers a variety of rides. In Knight's Kingdom, The Dragon roller coaster departs from inside the castle, passing through medieval scenes built with LEGO before heading onto outdoor tracks; Pirate Shores features the Pirate Falls log flume and the Jolly Rocker pirate ship; Mythica's Flight of the Sky Lion is a flying theater attraction offering an immersive aerial adventure. Lego City has a children's driving school where kids can experience earning a "driver's license" behind the wheel of a LEGO car; Laser Raiders is an interactive shooting dark ride that takes you through Egyptian tombs. The resort also offers LEGO-themed hotel rooms and lodge accommodations, decorated with themes such as pirates and knights, ideal for families looking for an in-depth stay.

Windsor · 25.9km from Guildford

London · 44km from Guildford

The British Museum

10

4.8/5

3.7k reviews

The British Museum's collection spans artifacts from civilizations across the world, with a total of approx. 8 million items, covering regions including ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and Rome, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. The museum has approx. 60 permanent galleries, and the items on display represent only a very small fraction of the total collection, with its ancient Egyptian, ancient Greek and Roman, and Asian collections being particularly renowned. The south facade of the main building features an Ionic colonnade, and the main entrance is topped by a sculpted pediment. Entering through the main entrance leads into the Great Court, a public space designed by Norman Foster with a white color scheme, where the massive semi-transparent glass roof ensures ample natural light even on London's overcast days. The Great Court was originally part of the British Library; after the library relocated, it was converted into a covered plaza, and the court displays authentic sculptures including a stone statue from Easter Island. The Rosetta Stone bears a decree of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh inscribed in three scripts, serving as the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian civilization and ranking among the museum's most notable exhibits. The Elgin Marbles are sculptural fragments from the Parthenon, dating back over two thousand years, and are now displayed in Room 18. The Portland Vase is renowned for its dark blue glass and white cameo relief decoration, displayed in Room 70. The Tang dynasty copy of Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies survives with nine scenes and holds significant artistic and historical value, though it is not on permanent display. The Chinese collection is concentrated in Rooms 33, 33b, and 95, arranged chronologically by dynasty with artifacts ranging from Shang and Zhou bronzes to Ming and Qing porcelain, among which the Song dynasty Cizhou ware "circus pillow" and the Yuan dynasty blue-and-white dish with fish and aquatic plant design are particularly worth a closer look. The ancient Egyptian galleries are famous for their mummy exhibits and are among the most visited areas in the museum.

2026 Global 50 - Spring Outings

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

8.1

London · 33km from Guildford

225 reviews

Spanning 326 acres of beautiful gardens and home to the world's largest living plant collection, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located just a 30-minute drive from central London. The iconic Palm House recreates a tropical rainforest environment, where you can experience the humid, sultry tropical atmosphere up close; the Temperate House is one of the most prominent surviving Victorian glasshouses, reopened in 2018 after restoration and housing approximately ten thousand rare plants from temperate regions. The 17-meter-tall contemporary art installation "The Hive" celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2026, exploring the importance and plight of bees; while the towering treetop walkway offers a unique perspective overlooking the garden. Those afraid of heights can stroll along the vibrant Great Broad Walk, enjoy unique botanical art and special exhibitions in our galleries, or relax in the cozy restaurant. In the newly built Carbon Garden, you can admire a striking pavilion inspired by fungi, learn about the scale of the climate crisis, and explore how plants can help us tackle it. As a global scientific charity, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew aims to help halt biodiversity loss and develop nature-based solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges facing humanity. △ Discover rare tropical plants in the Palm House △Kew Palace was built in 1631; a century later, George III was educated here and used it as a summer residence. △ Davies Alpine House has many alpine plants that can overcome harsh conditions at the Earth's poles or mountain tops △ Explore 10 different climate zones at the Princess of Wales Conservatory △Waterlily greenhouse(Waterlily House, closed in winter) features giant Amazon water lilies with leaves up to 3 m wide

Selected for Best Things to Do in London metropolitan area

Hampton Court Palace

6.5

London · 24.7km from Guildford

161 reviews

This Christmas, you are invited into an enchanted world. Step insideThe Winter Palace in the glowing halls of Hampton Court Palace - where mythical beasts join the most magical ball of the year. Throughout the palace, extraordinary creatures are gathering to welcome you to a celebration like no other. It's festive. It's mystical. And it's brand new for 2026. Start a new unforgettable Christmas family tradition. Hampton Court Palace is hailed as "the Versailles of England" and stands as an outstanding example of Tudor architecture, boasting magnificent structures and profound historical significance. Construction of the palace began in 1515 under the direction of Cardinal Wolsey, a key minister of Henry VIII, adhering strictly to Tudor design principles with 1,280 rooms, making it one of Britain's grandest buildings at the time. After Wolsey's fall from favor due to his excessive power, he passed away in 1530, and the palace was seized by Henry VIII. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn resided here and expanded the palace, where Edward VI was born and Elizabeth I secretly met her suitors. Later, William III and Queen Mary commissioned British and Dutch architects to renovate the palace. It wasn't until 1838 that Queen Victoria opened it to the public. Visit highlights Hampton Court Palace is divided into three main sections: the Tudor-style buildings on the west side, the Renaissance gardens, and the Baroque-style courtyards. The key areas include: Guoyu: Luxurious suites in the palace that you can't miss. Lobby: Spacious and grand, adorned with exquisite oak relief ceilings and historical tapestries. Kitchen: Historically capable of preparing meals for over a thousand people, it now frequently hosts role-playing activities to recreate historical scenes. Garden: Includes multiple classic English gardens and a fun hedge maze. Palace tour The palace has numerous rooms, and it is recommended to start your visit from the clock court (the entrance adorned with a large clock), where audio guides and cloaks for photography are provided. You can then proceed to the royal chapel and its second-floor gallery to admire the interior decor. The state apartments perfectly preserve the residences of the king and queen, featuring classical and elegant furnishings. The first-floor gallery houses over a thousand paintings, with ceilings and walls adorned by Italian artists' religious and portrait-themed frescoes. The king's bedchamber is decorated with historical artifacts such as elk antlers, while the great hall displays a series of eight "Hampton Court Palace ladies" oil paintings. The great hall is considered the best-preserved medieval hall in England, frequently used for state banquets and celebrations. The kitchen area vividly recreates Tudor-era cooking scenes, with staff portraying chefs and nobles, allowing visitors to take photos and interact. Additionally, the palace is rumored to be haunted, with claims of hearing the footsteps of Henry VIII's deceased queens in the ghost corridor. Outdoor gardens The palace facade is adorned with ancient Roman emperor busts, coat of arms, and bishop heraldry. The expansive gardens feature geometric layouts, fountain gardens, wildflower areas, and the famous hedge maze with a convenient exit at its center. Home park hosts over 300 freely roaming deer, while vineyards planted in 1768 offer fresh grape juice tastings during August visits. From the second floor of the palace, you can enjoy the symmetrical beauty of western gardens and the changing scenery of seasonal flowers. The fountain garden, shaded by lush trees and featuring well-trimmed lawns, is perfect for leisurely picnics.

London · 41.9km from Guildford

Buckingham Palace

9.5

4.6/5

2.1k reviews

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch and the venue for the royal family's state events and major ceremonies. The palace has nineteen state rooms used to receive visiting heads of state and hold official ceremonies, furnished with paintings by Van Dyck and Canaletto, sculptures by Canova, and exquisite Sèvres porcelain and English and French furniture. The tour route connects magnificent halls such as the White Drawing Room, the Music Room, the Blue Drawing Room, and the Green Drawing Room. The gallery linking these rooms is about 50 m long and hangs paintings by masters such as Rembrandt, Rubens, and Vermeer, making it the essence of the Royal Collection. The highlight of the entire tour is the Throne Room. The archway and canopy were designed by architect John Nash, inspired by his experience in theater set design, creating a highly dramatic visual effect. The pair of thrones in the hall were used in the coronations of Elizabeth II and Charles III respectively, and the official portraits specially created by painters of the King and Queen are also on permanent display here. The Throne Room once served as the backdrop for the wedding photographs of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and to this day remains the venue for court ceremonies such as investitures. The changing of the guard ceremony in the palace forecourt is equally captivating. During the ceremony, a detachment of guards marches from Wellington Barracks to the palace accompanied by music, relieving another detachment to become the King's Guard—a classic scene for experiencing British ceremonial tradition.

London · 42.5km from Guildford

Westminster Abbey

9.4

4.8/5

1.5k reviews

• Visit the site on the north bank of the Thames where kings were crowned and royal weddings took place • Stroll through the UK's royal burial sites and visit the resting places of royal family members and legendary figures like Newton and Darwin • Explore magnificent, solemn, and serene Gothic architectural masterpieces Westminster Abbey, located on the north bank of the Thames in London and adjacent to the Palace of Westminster, is a Gothic-style royal church in Britain. Magnificent and grand, it is a sacred site in the UK and holds a prominent status among the country's many churches. The Henry VII Chapel is located at the rear of the church, featuring ornate decorations and surrounded by numerous chapels. Above the west door stand ten statues of 20th-century Christian martyrs, installed in 1998, representing figures from around the world, including Martin Luther King Jr.

Tower of London

9.3

London · 45.7km from Guildford

1.1k reviews

The White Tower will present visitors with some of the Tower of London's most complex and challenging histories. Opening in 2027, this story-led interpretation - centres on the lives of Tower prisoners, Anne Boleyn, John Gerard, and Josef Jakobs and will be complemented by authentic artefacts associated with historic torture. The Tower of London stands majestically on the north bank of the Thames. It is a Norman fortress ordered by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and served as a royal palace, fortress, armory, mint, and prison for over 900 years. Queen Anne Boleyn was executed within its walls, and the future Elizabeth I was imprisoned here before her coronation. The unsolved mystery of the two young princes' disappearance in the "Bloody Tower" remains to this day. With its gripping royal history, it is an essential stop for understanding British history. · Savor the rich historical and cultural ambiance of the Tower of London, and listen to the legends and mysterious stories behind it. · Admire the exquisite royal jewelry, coronation crowns, and scepters in the Jewel House, and exploreWhite pagoda(the White Tower) houses world-renowned royal armory collections and treasures. · Don't miss the guided tour by the Yeoman Warders to learn about the tower's iconic thousand-year history. △The Tower of London is a castle that initially served as a royal palace, later taking on various roles such as a fortress, armory, execution ground, and prison. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. This site imprisoned high-profile prisoners like Elizabeth I and witnessed the execution of many nobles. △Tower of London'sThe treasure house displays the jewels, coronation crowns, scepters, swords and other treasures of the British royal family. Travelers slowly pass through on the automated walkway during the visit, while large screens above the glass display cases explain the history of these treasures and their role in coronation ceremonies. Pictured is the imperial crown containing 23,578 gemstones, which is exquisitely beautiful. △Get a close-up view of the exquisitely carved rare armor in the white pagoda and experience the time-honored royal culture. △In addition, you will see many ravens during your visit, some of which are kept by the government but have their wings clipped; it is said that as long as there are ravens in the Tower of London, England will not suffer invasion.