While Guildford is a great place to live, it doesn't always have the charm of its surrounding villages. With a quieter and slower pace of life, these locations all have unique features that you can't find in their next door neighbour.
With half term approaching and Surrey on the horizon all five of these villages make for the perfect day out, while being close enough to Guildford that they remain easily accessible.
Take a look at the towns below for some inspiration of where your next trip could be.
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Compton
Located just outside Guildford, Compton can sometimes be overlooked by those in its much bigger neighbour. The charming village is only 45 minutes from London but is a world away from the capital city.
According to the village website, there are fewer than 400 properties and only around 1,000 people, with key stops being the village hall, St Nicholas Church and Withies Inn.
One of its most famous attractions is Watts gallery, an artistic space dedicated to George Frederic Watts and Mary Watts. Here you can see their work as well as Limnerslease their historic home. It's the perfect stop off with a lovely little cafe, especially if you're walking the many footpaths nearby.
Albury
With a small street, lined with timber framed cottages, Albury looks like something from the olden days. Made up of churches and a village hall, the area also has its own vineyard. Our reporter Laura Nightingale gave this spot a five star review when she visited a couple of years ago, calling the entire experience ‘romantic’.
Its rural location also means that there is also lots of opportunities for a country walk, with nearby National Trust sites including Newlands Corner, Clandon Park and Hatchlands Park. Another beauty spot includes the Silent Pool, a space of quiet surrounded by Lush vegetation. It is a place shrouded in history, and apparently haunted.
Pirbright
Sharing space with the Ministry of Defence, Pirbright village also is surrounded with natural beauty. A small duck pond is overlooked by two gastro pubs The Cricketers on the Green and The White Hart.
The village backs on to the Ash Ranges, which when not being used for shooting practice contains some scenic walks for all the family. As well as a rich military history, the village has made its mark on the world through the Pirbright Institute which investigates diseases in animals.
Chilworth
One of the most unusual things about Chilworth is the Gunpowder Works. This is what remains of a thriving industry that used to dominate the area. This forgotten piece of history now makes for the site of a pretty interesting walk along with a picnic area and woodland stream.
The village itself is renowned for its safety, with only one crime being reported in the area in March 2024 according to the Police’s crime map. Throughout the village you can also find some pretty pricey houses, going for well over £1million.
Shackleford
Named the ‘poshest’ village in the county it has been praised in The Telegraph for its easy access to natural beauty as the Surrey Hills found on every side of the village.
It was also singled out for its long running history, with early visitors including the Normans when they made their way through the South of England on the way to London.
The average house price in the village is £631,667, according to Rightmove and residents recently told our reporter that they enjoyed living there.
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