Guildford

I blipped my way down Guildford's photogenic High Street this morning. I did venture into the shops and at last spent a Christmas token. Just in time, it seems, as one shop I went into had cards for next Christmas on display!

Pevsner says that "Guildford High Street is an almost perfect example of a bright and cheerful Home Counties street whose effect is that of unity in diversity."

The famous clock is on the front of the Guildhall which was built in the 1300s. The clock was made by John Aylward and was a gift to the merchants of Guildford. Clockmaker John Aylward came to Guildford in the late 18th century intending to set up his business in the centre of the town, but was time and time again refused by The Guild Merchants. Being the persistent man that he was, John set up his shop just outside Guildford and then set about working on the glorious clock now known as "The Guildhall Clock". After he offered this clock to the merchants they displayed it over the High Street in 1683 when the Guildhall was re-fronted, and made John Aylward a member of the Guild Merchants, allowing him to set up his business in the centre of town.