Guildford House

Guildford House is a historic house at 155 High Street, Guildford, Surrey, England. Built in 1660, it is currently a municipal museum and art gallery.

Guildford House
Guildford House with bunting during the 2002 Golden Jubilee
TypeTown house
Location155 High Street
Coordinates51°14′10″N 0°34′16″W
OS grid referenceSU 99825 49515
AreaGuildford
Built1660
OwnerGuildford Borough Council
Listed Building – Grade I
Official name: Guildford House
Designated1 May 1953
Reference no.1180153
Location of Guildford House in Surrey

History

Originally built for John Childs, a lawyer and, later, Mayor of Guildford on three occasions. In 1726 it was bought by John Martyr, also a lawyer, and remained in the family until 1850 when it was bought by Frank Apted as a shop for his brush and carpentry business. From 1914 to 1928 it was a stationers and booksellers. After a year as the carpet department of the adjoining drapers store, it was converted into a restaurant in 1929 which operated until 1956.[1]

The house is a Grade I listed building in part for having many original features including a carved staircase, panelled rooms, original decorative plaster ceilings and wrought iron window fittings. Also for its timber-framed basic structure, which is clad to the front in painted wood and to the rear in mathematical tiles and tile-hanging.[2]

Today

The house contains some of Guildford borough's art collection including the world's largest public collection of pastel portraits by Guildford-born artist, John Russell, RA (1745–1806). Guildford House hosts changing exhibitions throughout the year. In June 2009, the administration of Guildford House, with Guildford Museum, Guildford Guildhall and Guildford Castle were brought together and run collectively as 'Guildford Heritage'.

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References
  1. "The Martyr Family". Guildford Borough Council. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  2. Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1180153)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
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