Medieval Undercroft, Guildford, Surrey
Fascinating to anyone with a penchant for historic buildings, the Medieval Undercroft is right on the High Street in Guildford and is free to visit, so if that’s your thing, go and poke your head in around. The Undercroft dates from the 13th century and is a stone vaulted semi-basement that once served as a merchant’s shop that possibly sold wine or expensive silk. There are traces of several similar buildings in Guildford which reveals how prosperous the town must have been in the middle ages, as it certainly wouldn’t have been cheap to create an undercroft.
It’s actually quite amazing when you get down there and see the rib-vaulted ceiling, especially the carved faces, like gargoyles, on the corbels. Go and see for yourself, but bear in mind that the steps down into it are very narrow.
The Medieval Undercroft is in the hands of Guildford Museum and is open on Wednesdays from 2 pm-4 pm on May to September and on Saturdays from 12.00-4.00 pm.
T: 01483 444751 All information correct at the time of writing