Daniel Burstow
Senior Director
With its charming cobbled high street, famous Guildhall gold clock and excellent transport links, it’s little wonder that the Surrey county town of Guildford has become one of the most sought-after places to live. It has a vibrant shopping and dining scene and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. What’s not to love?
Many professional couples seeking a better work-life balance are choosing to move to Guildford, while the area is also popular with families drawn by the area’s world-class educational establishments.
The average value of houses for sale in Guildford over the past 12 months sits at £597,946 - up by 9% on the 2020 number of £550,003 (taken from Rightmove).
Best of both worlds
Living in Guildford gives you the perfect balance between rural and city life. You can enjoy the space and community vibe that comes with living in a town in the Surrey countryside while still being within easy reach of the bright lights of London.
The town has excellent road and rail connections. From Guildford station, you can be at London Waterloo in under 40 minutes. Because of this, record prices are being achieved for properties in the town centre, with particularly strong competition for flats and Victorian homes within a 15-minute walk of the station.
Guildford is also within easy reach of Gatwick and Heathrow airports, so very convenient for both business and leisure travel.
Some of the UK’s most outstanding educational establishments can be found in the area, and many London families decide to make the move to Guildford because of its world-class private schools, including Guildford High School and the Royal Grammar School. The University of Surrey is also located in Guildford, with facilities including a state-of-the-art sports park that is open to the public.
Family fun
Guildford has one of the prettiest high streets in the south east, making it a pleasant place to shop and eat out. It has a rich array of local amenities, including designer boutiques, high-street stores including M&S and Debenhams, and a farmers’ market that takes place on the first Tuesday of every month. There’s also three theatres and a multiplex cinema.
The town centre has Purple Flag status, which means it’s recognised as providing a diverse mix of dining and entertainment options at night while promoting the safety and security of residents and visitors.
There’s lots to do in Guildford for families, with a variety of events and festivals held throughout the year. Guildford Lido opens during the summer season from May to September, while Stoke Park has a boating lake, skate park and crazy golf course.
Top attractions include Guildford Castle and Guildford Cathedral, while the Surrey Hills and North Downs offer an abundance of rolling scenery if you want to get out into the great outdoors.
House market for aspiring homebuyers
The Guildford area is home to some of the most upmarket properties in the country, but you’ll find a range of prices if you’re looking to buy.
Whether you’re seeking a cottage in a quintessential English village such as Shamley Green or Shere, a Victorian townhouse close to the centre of Guildford or a modern family home, there are a host of options to choose from.
In the past 12 months, an average of £307,630 was paid for flats, £566,296 for semi-detached houses and £995,569 for detached houses. Homes in the GU1 postcode area are among the hotspots right now, with London Road and Hillier Road proving popular.
Several new developments have sprung up in the Guildford area in the last five years, with 1,060 private homes being built.