Notice: Celebrate Summer At The Guildford Summer Festival

Published on: 3 May, 2018
Updated on: 3 May, 2018

Guildford Summer Festival, with official sponsor Silent Pool Gin, will be back for its 35th year, with over 100 events to enjoy, from Friday, June 8 to Sunday, August 12.

The first Guildford Summer Festival took place in 1983 and centred around the Guildford pageants. which took place in Shalford Park.

Every year events were organised in the town to coincide with festival time, and so it grew. Regular annual events returning this summer include the Guildford Festival Craft Fair, Farmers’ Markets, the Guildford Cricket Festival, Guildford Lions’ Raft Race, drama in the Castle Grounds, and classical concerts.

Two events making a welcome return are the free Alice Day in the Castle Grounds on Monday, August 6, and the Cheese and Chilli Festival on Shalford Park in July.

New events in 2018 include the Guildford Town Guides offering free guided walks around the town, exploring its history and every nook and cranny. Their immensely popular Alan Turing walks are back, with a few surprises along the way, plus new themed walks.

Arts and heritage events will be in abundance, with the annual Guildford Arts exhibition at the Mill Studio and Watts Gallery, Guildford House Gallery and Guildford Museum offering plenty of events to ensure you have something to do on a rainy day.

G Live, the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and the Back Room of the Star pub will play host to a variety of shows and the Guildford Fringe Festival arrives in town in July across several venues.

There are plenty of opportunities to get fit this summer. The Round the Hog’s Back Cycle Tour is designed for all ages and a perfect way to get fit or keep fit. For those who would rather watch sport than participate, head for the cricket festival. Local ale will also be celebrated at the cricket ground with the Guildford Beer Festival.

Brochures are available to collect from Guildford Tourist Information Centre and other distribution points around the borough. For full details, sign up to the mailing list and receive weekly reminders of events throughout the festival. Visit www.guildfordsummerfestival.co.uk for more details.