Guildford

Unlike a lot of the legal hubs in the UK, Guildford is a town rather than a city—perfect if you want a law career but are less keen on the fast pace of a metropolis.

 The University of Surrey (and corresponding student population) means that there is work to be found in property and real-estate law. A particular niche in the Guildford employment scene is the rise of video-game developers in the area, providing some opportunity for tech-related law.

There are a lot of regional firms within Guildford itself, and also spread across the wider Surrey area. Areas of specialty range from family and employment law to full-service firms.

Guildford is rich in history, with the ruins of Guildford Castle dating back to the Norman age. Guildford also has links to Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland; there are a lot of links to Carroll dotted around Guildford, such as the Alice statues, memorabilia in the Guildford Museum and Carroll’s grave in the Mount Cemetery.

One of Guildford’s main selling points is its proximity to the countryside. Cyclists will enjoy many rural routes, and walkers could attempt The Fox Way or climb Pewley Downs—just a short walk from the high street. After a long week at work, you can relax surrounded by many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A big part of Guildford life is the market scene. On the first Tuesday of every month, the high street is taken over by the Guildford Farmers Market, and the traditional North Street Market is held weekly on Friday and Saturday.

Living in a town rather than a city means there are more opportunities to develop strong community links and recognise familiar faces. If you’re the type of person who likes to know their neighbours, Guildford could be your best bet. 

- Have a cocktail and listen to some live music at Komo.

- Visit The Long Bar; as the name suggests, it has the longest bar outside of London!

- Whether you’re eating a Sunday roast or drinking a Friday pint, the March Hare is the place to do it.

- Sip a gin from a selection of over 50 varieties at The Keep pub, or if whiskey is more your thing, head to The Whiskey Affair.

- If you’d like a mix of everything—food, drink and a good night out—head to Pews.

- Indulge in some weekend shopping on your local high street—notoriously beautiful, Guildford High Street offers views of Guildford Castle while you shop.

- Grab an afternoon cappuccino at Kalm Kitchen Cafe.

- Watch a play at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre; or indulge in some amateur dramatics yourself in one of the many drama groups.

- Take a boat trip down the Wey and Arun Canal or even the Thames!

- Take clients out for lunch at The Jetty and friends for afternoon tea at Guildford House Gallery.

With London just 35 minutes away by train, you’re in a good position to head into the city for any client meetings or socialising. Alternatively, you could drive into the city via the A3; Portsmouth is also accessible via this road. The nearest airport is Heathrow, which lies 24 miles away.