NEED TO KNOW | AREA INSIGHT
COMMUTING: Trains to Waterloo take a reasonable thirty-five minutes.
EDUCATION: The Royal Grammar for boys, Guildford High School and Tormead for girls are all well-known. George Abbot is the preferred state secondary, judged outstanding by Ofsted. Buy in the north-eastern corner of town to ensure you are in its catchment area.
CRIME: Rates are reassuringly low.
RESTAURANTS and bars:
Guildford’s cobbled streets serve up an impressive range of eateries including a buzzy tapas joint with budget prices called La Casita. The Keystone pops up regularly in pub guides and is an unpretentious pub with a cultural twist, holding art classes on its terrace, salsa nights and even regular scientific debates.
LEISURE: The Spectrum Centre houses a swimming pool, bowling alley and an Olympic-sized ice rink, while the town centre boasts a decent art gallery and several theatres. Adults and children alike will enjoy roaming in the surrounding countryside, which is packed with aesthetically pleasing Arts and Crafts-style housing.