By Isaac Boden

Chances are you’ve seen the tall stone tower rising over the gardens in Guildford, a medieval castle often overlooked by many. However, this nearly thousand-year-old fortress has some interesting historical facts which RGS students might not know. It was built by William the Conqueror shortly after he took control of England, sometime after 1086. It began as a simple wooden fort with a moat before being rebuilt using stone. Only the central tower, the keep, survives today, which tells us that the castle was far more majestic in the past than it looks now.

The castle was built on a hill overlooking the River Wey, giving defenders an advantage if an enemy attacked. Guildford was an important stop for soldiers, royals, and messengers due to it being on the South to London route. It also served as a reminder to the locals that they were now under Norman control. The keep had latrines, a chapel with stained-glass windows, and a Great Hall, although unlike the one at the school. Archaeologists have also found evidence that the interior walls were once painted in bright colors. Guildford Castle wasn’t a royal palace, but some kings, like Henry II, John (the one from Robin Hood), and Henry III, stayed there while traveling. Henry III was particularly fond of it, saying it deserved the title of ‘palace’ and ordering upgrades that are still there today, like the gardens.

By the 1200s, Guildford Castle was past its prime and was instead used as the main jail for Surrey and Sussex for nearly two hundred years, with prisoners kept in damp, dark rooms. However, in 1487, the main jail was moved to Lewes. In the 1630s, the keep’s roof was removed and the tower was used as a cockpit for animal blood sports, which is still there today, though without the combat, and is what you can see on the top. Other areas of the grounds were used for farming and rented to various people. In 1885, the Lord of Wonersh sold it to the Guildford Corporation, which restored the tower and walls and opened them to the public.

One of the most intriguing legends about Guildford Castle is the rumor of secret tunnels beneath it. Local stories claim hidden passageways once linked the castle to the River Wey, allowing supplies – or even royals – to slip in and out unnoticed. Some speculate about tunnels connecting the keep to nearby churches or manors, designed as escape routes in times of siege. While archaeologists haven’t found hard proof, the idea of underground passageways adds a sense of mystery to the ruins.

In the modern day, the gardens are extremely popular to Guildfordians and tourists, attracting visitors every day and displaying an array of colorful flowers. The grounds include a life-size statue of ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass,’ a memorial to Lewis Carroll who lived right next to the castle; a bowling green; fish ponds; and a bandstand. The old gatehouse now houses parts of the Guildford Museum. The castle roof is reachable by a staircase and offers beautiful panoramic views of the grounds and Guildford, stretching all the way across the North Downs.

For any student wanting to learn about Guildford’s story, the Castle is a prime example of the deep history that can be found, as Kings have not only visited, but built this beacon of the olden times in the south of Guildford. RGS students can get involved with the castle with environmental projects in the grounds, or provide a fundraiser towards preserving this timeworn artefact of Guildford.