Opinion: It’s Heritage Weekend – Have Your Say On Guildford’s Museum

Published on: 9 Sep, 2015
Updated on: 11 Sep, 2015

By Gavin Morgan

It’s Heritage Weekend again and Guildford is one of the best places to be. Thousands of properties in hundreds of towns across the country will be opening their doors to the public free of charge.

In Guildford we regularly come in the top ten for number of properties available to see. A popular magazine, Surrey Life, has published the 50 best places to see and Abbot’s Hospital is number one.

In fact 12 out of the 50 choices come from Guildford. So get out and enjoy our heritage. I will be visiting Guildford Museum, just in case it is not here next year and I hope others will too.

We all need to look at what it could be rather than what it is. Supporters of the Guildford Heritage Forum will also be distributing leaflets.

If we can put on such a great show on heritage day then surely we can create a new museum that attracts people back the rest of the year.

Responses to Opinion: It’s Heritage Weekend – Have Your Say On Guildford’s Museum

Ysanne Lewis Reply

September 9, 2015 at 6:32 pm

For heaven’s sake, Guildford is an historic town.

So many mistakes have been made re. bad planning and modernisation. Surely, some things are sacred?

I like the idea of a cafe linked to museum. The building as it stands is unique and a lovely find for visitors. Let wisdom and heritage stay in this beautiful town. I have seen too many negative changes in the 22 years I have chosen to live here.
Dave Middleton Reply

September 9, 2015 at 8:41 pm

With regards the future of Guildford’s museum, might it be beyond the realms of possibility for a new, more attractive and accessible museum to be incorporated into the redevelopment of Tunsgate Square, complete with a café, perhaps run by the people who run the Continental Café?

It would still be close to the historic castle and would benefit from greater footfall, being closer to the high street and the shopping area.

Planning permission for the redevelopment of Tunsgate Square was granted some months ago. It is to remain purely a commercial development. The Continental Café has announced that it will close. Ed
James Dix Reply

September 9, 2015 at 9:13 pm

If it ends up that there is nothing that can be done to keep the museum at it’s current site, which would be a terrible shame, I hope they will consider providing a prominent new premises as part of the proposed development by the George Abbot pub and along the riverside.

Perhaps this could be combined with a new home for the Surrey Infantry Museum at the same time following their loss of premises as a result of the Clandon Park fire?