St Mary's Church Guildford
Guildford's oldest church, a beautifully refurbished historic venue hosting vibrant concerts, art sales, and welcoming worship.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Catch concerts, art sales, and more!
St Mary's Church Guildford
Best Time
Catch concerts, art sales, and more!
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Guildford's oldest church, a beautifully refurbished historic venue hosting vibrant concerts, art sales, and welcoming worship.
"A beautiful building and tastefully refurbished with very helpful lady who gave us insight into the history."
📅 Check Event Listings
St. Mary's hosts many events! See what's on before you go to catch concerts, art sales, or sound baths.
🎶 Acoustics are Great!
The church is a fabulous setting with excellent acoustics, especially for acoustic sets.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Historic Architecture
Discover Guildford's oldest church, a beautifully preserved building with a rich history and a tastefully refurbished interior.
Community Events
Experience a range of events, from captivating concerts and art sales to sound baths and opera performances.
Welcoming Worship Space
A serene and inclusive place of worship, known for its dedicated Christians and clergy, welcoming all.
Plans like a pro.
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Planning Your Visit
Check Event Schedules
Embrace the Atmosphere
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📅 Check Event Listings
St. Mary's hosts many events! See what's on before you go to catch concerts, art sales, or sound baths. 
🎶 Acoustics are Great!
The church is a fabulous setting with excellent acoustics, especially for acoustic sets.
🎨 Art & Culture Hub
It's a venue for art sales and musical performances, showcasing local talent.
🙏 Welcoming Atmosphere
Visitors find it a serene, welcoming place of worship, open to everyone.
Tips
from all over the internet
📅 Check Event Listings
St. Mary's hosts many events! See what's on before you go to catch concerts, art sales, or sound baths.
🎶 Acoustics are Great!
The church is a fabulous setting with excellent acoustics, especially for acoustic sets.
🎨 Art & Culture Hub
It's a venue for art sales and musical performances, showcasing local talent.
🙏 Welcoming Atmosphere
Visitors find it a serene, welcoming place of worship, open to everyone.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise St. Mary's Church for its beautiful, historic architecture and its role as a welcoming community hub. It's lauded as a fantastic venue for concerts and art events, with excellent acoustics. However, some attendees have found services disrupted by noise, impacting the reverence of the experience.
"What a beautiful building and tastefully refurbished with very helpful lady who gave us insight into the history of the church. It’s a serene place of worship and very welcoming."
Mas
"Enjoyed a wonderful concert by Sam Sweeney in this beautiful church. A fabulous setting, and acoustics for a fully acoustic set. The building was bedecked with art in support of the Ukrainian group the church sponsors to add to what is already an exquisite,and ancient interior."
Peter de Courcy
"I attended the Orthodox Liturgy today, traveled over an hour as my church wasn’t holding it this weekend. The church is beautiful & very unique, the choir is very good also, unfortunately i couldn’t enjoy the service as children were being allowed to run around and make a lot of noise, while the service was being held and even while the prayers for the bread & wine were being prayed. I found this incredibly disturbing & disrespectful, ironically the parents of these kids made sure they were the first to line up to receive it.
This lack of respect & reverence for the mysteries means i won’t be returning, also i recommend placing the candles & any other fiddly bits behind the place of standing/sitting as its again distracting having people blocking the view & doing things in between the people & the priests.
The choir could also be brought closer then."
The White Sword
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
St. Mary's Church is centrally located in Guildford. You can reach it by public transport, with local bus routes serving the town center. If driving, there are several car parks nearby, though they can get busy.
The church has undergone tasteful refurbishment, including amenities like kitchen and toilets for private functions, suggesting improved accessibility. It's always best to contact the church directly for specific accessibility details.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
For general visits to admire the architecture and history, entry is usually free. However, for specific events like concerts or art sales, tickets may be required. Check event listings for details.
As a place of worship, St. Mary's is generally open for services. For specific visiting hours outside of services, or to check when it's open for events, it's recommended to consult their official schedule or contact them directly.
Entry to St. Mary's Church for worship is typically free. For ticketed events such as concerts or art exhibitions, there will be a fee.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
St. Mary's Church is the oldest church in Guildford, boasting an ancient yet modernized interior. It has served the community for centuries and is a significant historical landmark.
Yes, St. Mary's is an active place of worship and welcomes visitors to its services. They are known for their dedicated Christians and clergy.
As a place of worship, respectful behavior is expected. During services, maintaining a quiet demeanor is important. Some visitors have noted distractions from children running around during services.
The church hosts a variety of events including concerts (jazz, folk, opera), art sales, and sound baths, making it a cultural hub.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
While St. Mary's Church itself is primarily a place of worship and event venue, it is equipped with kitchen facilities for private functions. For dining, numerous cafes, restaurants, and pubs are available in the surrounding Guildford town center.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography for personal use is generally permitted in many churches, but it's always best to check for any specific restrictions, especially during services or events. Some filming has taken place here for acting students.
The church's ancient interior, refurbished spaces, and any art installations or stage setups for events offer great photographic opportunities. The exterior architecture also presents a picturesque view.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🎶 Music & Arts Enthusiasts
+3 The church also frequently hosts art sales, offering a chance to discover and purchase unique pieces. +1 Attending an event here provides a dual experience: enjoying vibrant cultural performances within a historically significant and acoustically superb setting.Deep Dives
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A Rich Tapestry of Events
+3 Visitors can also discover unique pieces at art sales, or find tranquility at sound bath sessions. +1 This vibrant schedule makes St. Mary's a cultural cornerstone in Guildford, offering something for everyone throughout the year.These events often highlight local and touring artists, contributing to the cultural richness of the area. The church's commitment to hosting such a variety of performances underscores its role as a community hub. It's advisable to check the church's official listings or social media for the most up-to-date information on upcoming events, as schedules can change.
+1A Welcoming Place of Worship
While the ancient interior is beautifully preserved and tastefully refurbished, some visitors have noted that maintaining reverence during services can be challenging due to distractions.
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