Guildford Town Defences
Has been described as a Possible Urban Defence
There are no visible remains
| Name | Guildford Town Defences |
| Alternative Names | |
| Historic Country | Surrey |
| Modern Authority | Surrey |
| 1974 Authority | Surrey |
| Civil Parish | Guildford |
The old defensible town ditch of Guildford ran, as the names indicate, from the Dominican Friary near the river along North Street (the North ditch) and round to South treet. (the South ditch). This connected with the Castle Ditch (now Castle Street.). It has been traced at the corner of Chertsey Street. and right across Trinity churchyard between these two lines. When the church was enlarged in 1888, and graves were removed in consequence, the ditch was traced, with much Mediaeval pottery in it. It is possible the oldest town was walled and of yet smaller dimensions. A very thick ancient clunch wall, with a well on its South side, showing that to be the inside, ran about 30 yards South of the High Street, nearly parallel to it. It would have included St Mary's Church, and a small town around the Castle mount. If this was so, the High Street itself was originally a suburban extension, later included by the ditch (VCH). No traces of the town wall or ditch are now visible. (F1 ASP 27-NOV-58). There is insufficient evidence for siting the course of the town ditch. No early literary references were encountered and early maps show nothing that could be associated with the features described by VCH (F2 EGG 03-JAN-59). (PastScape)
Not scheduled
Not Listed
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | SU996493 |
| Latitude | 51.2345886230469 |
| Longitude | -0.574559986591339 |
| Eastings | 499600 |
| Northings | 149300 |
