Guildford Society

06/05/2026

Difficult Choices

Elections will be held this Thursday May 7th to select members for the new West Surrey Unitary Authority (WUSA), which after a year operating as a 'Shadow' Authority, will assume the responsibilities previously held by Surrey County Council and the various boroughs, including Guildford Borough Council, and districts in the West Surrey area on April 1st

It is inevitable that these local elections, which have largely been driven by the major political parties to concentrate on the national political agenda, have given limited consideration to local issues, which include:

> A particularly difficult financial situation inherited from its predecessor authorities, which is now starting to be documented fully.
> Creation of a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Surrey in the future.
> Significant changes to the NHS's organisational structure
> The introduction of new planning policies
> For the Guildford Area the requirement to complete a new Local Plan within 30 months.
> Not forgetting the risks and challenges of integrating the constituent councils into one organisation.

Selecting good councilor’s to the WUSA will be critical to make the WUSA effective.

Competence required from new Councilors

16/11/2025

Guildford Design Awards 2025 Winners Announced

See the winners on our website https://www.guildfordsociety.org.uk/GDA2025Winners.html

02/10/2025

Architecture Lecture Evening 23rd October 2025.

We are delighted to announce that Julia Barfield of the Marks Barfield practice will be presenting our lecture this year on the subject of 'Making the Architecture of Place'.

Although Marks Barfield are best known for the design of the London Eye the practice have been involved in a large number of other projects including The Lightbox Woking, the Cambridge Mosque, Kew Treetop Walkway, and the Brighton i360. The practice has also worked on a wide range of Commercial and Dwelling Projects with a focus on sustainability.

To see more details and register to attend go to our website at .
https://www.guildfordsociety.org.uk/ALDATE2025.html

04/09/2025

The Guildford Design Awards have announced the short list of schemes, delivered in the past 2 years, that are being considered by the Judging Panel. The Guildford Design Awards are run every two years jointly by The Society and Guildford Borough Council
https://www.guildfordsociety.org.uk/GDA2025Shortlist.html

14/04/2025

Guildford Design Awards 2025

The search is on for Guildford’s best buildings, public spaces, and art.

The Guildford Design Awards are back for 2025, celebrating outstanding architecture, urban design, and public art across the borough. From grand developments to small but impactful projects, the awards highlight the best in design. Whether it’s a stylish café, a modern office hub, a thoughtfully restored heritage site, or a striking new public artwork.

Organised by the Guildford Society in partnership with Guildford Borough Council, the awards aim to encourage and reward good design across Guildford.

Projects that Can Enter?
The competition is open to projects completed between July 2023 and July 2025, and entry is free.

Full details can be found on the Guildford Society Website at this link https://www.guildfordsociety.org.uk/GDA2025Draft.html

06/10/2024

Architecture Lecture 2024

In collaboration with the University of Surrey we are holding the FREE Architecture Lecture on Thursday 17th October at 18:15.

The 2024 architecture lecture will be given by Cany Ash and Robert Sakula the two co-founding partners of Ash Sakula Architects , one of the UK’s leading housing and regeneration architects.

Please see our website for full details, including how to register.

https://www.guildfordsociety.org.uk/AL2024.html

13/09/2024

Heritage Open Days Weekend 14th September

Visit the Heritage Buildings open this weekend in Guildford.

The Society is holding a exhibition of the 2022 - 2023 Guildford Design Awards winners in one of the venues in the Guildhall High Street Guildford.

Open 10:00 to 16:30 hrs

11/06/2024

Come and see

The Society is holding a free Exhibition of the Winners of the Guildford Design Awards 2023. The event is being held at White Lion Walk Guildford High Street 22nd 23rd June.

See poster for Exhibitionhttps://www.guildfordsociety.org.uk/Guildford_design_Award_Exhibition_Poster_v3.pdf

21/05/2024

News from the Society May 2023 https://mailchi.mp/a43fc3ad0081/topic-catch-up-may-16532322

Includes our proposals on creating a Heights Policy for Guildford.
See Solum rising below

21/12/2023

Guildford Society Objects to the proposals to redevelop the Law College on Portsmouth Road to provide a Car Home and over 100 Market Dwellings. We believe the proposed scheme is too large and will have a serious impact on the countryside at the south of the town. A more modest scheme should be proposed.

See our Letter of Objection