Guildford - Town, Riverside & Castle

Essential Intel

The Trail ends in the beautiful Castle Gardens, which are open from dawn till dusk every day except Christmas Day, so make sure you get there in plenty of time. During winter months, Christmas light shows in the Castle grounds may affect access later in the day, so check the website and leave plenty of time to complete your case during these times.

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Guildford Town, Riverside & Castle, with Detectives helping the Guildford Guns ice hockey team investigate a sabotage campaign and uncover the culprit and the rival team they support.

The investigation covers approximately 1.5 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll begin under the large four-pillared arch at Tunsgate on High Street, then follow clues through Guildford's town centre, riverside areas, towpath, churchyard paths, Castle Grounds and Castle Gardens before returning to the start area.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route includes pavements, a towpath, a path by the churchyard and some steps up in the Castle Grounds.

Take care at the riverside area and by the lock and open water. There is also traffic at Castle Arch and on Quarry Street, which is one-way and should be crossed carefully.

Getting There

By car: Start your investigation under the large four-pillared arch at Tunsgate on High Street (GU1 3QT). The recommended parking is Castle Car Park (GU1 3RW), which is the nearest car park to the start point.

By public transport: Guildford Station is a 10 minute walk from the start. There are also several good park and ride services. Make your way to Tunsgate on High Street to begin the case.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are a few steps up Tunsgate at the start of the Trail. They are also near Clue 06 and Clue 10 in White Lion Walk, giving Detectives a few handy comfort-break opportunities during the investigation.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives can join the case, with a little extra care around the route. 🐾

The Trail crosses riverside areas and open water, so keep dogs close by the lock and along the river. There is also traffic at Castle Arch and on Quarry Street, plus some steps up in the Castle Grounds, so leads are sensible for canine colleagues throughout the busier stretches.

Food & Drink Stops

Sabotage-hunting is hungry work, but you will never be far from a cafe or a place to buy snacks.

If you'd rather bring your own provisions, there are perfect picnic spots by the river between Clues 12 and 13, and in The Castle Grounds at the end of the Trail.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Castle Grounds and Castle Gardens

The investigation finishes in the beautiful Castle Gardens, and the route also takes in the Castle Grounds, the Alice Garden, the bandstand area, the war memorial and the castle keep. The Gardens are open from dawn till dusk every day except Christmas Day, making them a brilliant place to slow down once the Guildford Guns' slippery saboteur has been brought to justice.

Saint Mary's Church

Saint Mary's Church is the oldest building in Guildford, or at least parts of it are. Its tower is of Saxon origin and was built before the Norman Conquest of 1066, so history-loving Detectives have a properly ancient piece of evidence to inspect.

Abbot's Hospital

Founded in 1619 by George Abbot, Abbot's Hospital was never actually intended to be a hospital but a home for up to twenty poor and elderly Guildfordians. Today, it is still used for its original purpose as accommodation for local elderly people.

High Street's Hidden Synagogue History

One of Guildford's most remarkable hidden histories was discovered below a book shop on High Street in 1995: the remains of one of the oldest synagogues in Western Europe. They are estimated to have been built around 1180, when Jewish settlers first arrived, and were hidden away because Jewish people were so poorly treated in medieval Britain.