Another market town

I went to Guildford today to meet a friend. This is another beautiful market town dating back to Saxon times.

In the High Street, the famous landmark is the Guildhall, a Tudor building with a 17th century façade, and a clock overhanging the street. The clock is dated 1693 but its inner workings date from 1560. It makes me smile to think that this clock is older than the establishment of the USA! The original bell, now cracked and replaced with a new bell, came from St Martha's Church (on the ridge above Chilworth). The iron balcony is used for important proclamations. Within, in the old court-room are a set of standard measures presented to the town by Elisabeth I. These measures are one of the few complete sets in existence.

Opposite the Guildhall is the neoclassical frontage of Tunsgate. It was to here that the market moved from the bottom of the High Street (1818) and also the site of the Corn Exchange. Through the archway there are usually a couple of market stalls.

The town was deemed to be of sufficient importance during Anglo-Saxon times (978 AD) to have an early English Royal Mint.