About the venue
This wonderful Grade II listed building located in the heart of Guildford, has stood on the corner of Ward street and North Street since 1892 and is an ideal venue to host our events from; being a 10 minute walk from the train station and a 5 min walk from the Castle Car Park.
The building started started its life as a "temperance hotel" (aka alcohol free) so its only fitting that we use it to redress the wrongs of the past!
How to get there
The Guildford Institute
Ward St
GU1 4LH
See map at bottom of page
Upcoming events
Thu 18
Dec
- 2025 -
Is it Champagne ?? - Christmas Edition
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Think you know your Champagne from your Cava - come and join us for a festive themed blind Sparkling Wine tasting ........
Starts Thu 22
Jan
- 2026 -
Discover the World of Wine Course
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Our 4 week World of Wines courses, explore Red, White, Sparkling and Fortified wines.
Suitable for novices as well as amateurs keen to learn more, this course will expand your palates and have you tasting like a pro .
£165.00
Thu 22
Jan
- 2026 -
Discover the World of Wine - Red Wines
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
What is it that makes Red Wines taste so different? Join us as we taste 6 different delicious red wines to discover more.
£45.00
Thu 29
Jan
- 2026 -
Discover the World of Wine - Sparkling Wine
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
What makes fizz so moorish ? - come and compare Champagne with Cava, Prosecco, English Sparkling Wine, and more.
Understand how its made and what to look for
£45.00
Thu 05
Feb
- 2026 -
Discover the World of Wine - White Wines
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Want to know your Chardonnay from your Pinot Grigio then this is the course for you - come discover why white wines can be so different
£45.00
Thu 12
Feb
- 2026 -
Discover the World of Wine - Sweet & Fortified Wines
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
A Port isn't just for Christmas and a Sweet wine isn't just for dessert, come and discover this fascinating wine style
£45.00
Thu 26
Feb
- 2026 -
Cheese & Wine Pairing Evening
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Love cheese and wine? Join us for an evening of perfect pairings! Sample six wines and a selection of delicious cheeses.
£50.00
Thu 05
Mar
- 2026 -
Old Vine Wines - What Makes Them Special?
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
There is a general belief that older vines, when properly handled, will give a better wine with more concentration, complexity when compared to young vine wines. Come and see for yourself at this wonderfull Old Vine Masterclass
£45.00
Thu 12
Mar
- 2026 -
Posh v Plonk blind tasting
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Join us as we 'blind' taste classic wines over £15 against their supermarket equivalent at £9 or under - can you spot the expensive wines?
£45.00
Thu 16
Apr
- 2026 -
Discover Wine - An introduction to Wine Tasting
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
If you're new to wine-tasting and want to learn more about wine in a relaxed and fun evening, then this is the perfect event for you!
£40.00
Thu 23
Apr
- 2026 -
Cheese, Charcuterie and Wine Pairing Evening
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
A glass of wine on its own gets lonley, it really comes to life with shared with some food packed with flavour, join us for a delectable tour of some of the best of these pairings.
£50.00
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Thu 30
Apr
- 2026 -
Burgers & Burgundy
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
The Michelin guide will tell you that fine wine must be paired with fine food and sure its a pairing that works, but there's no doubting that fine wine and fast food also make for a great combo!
£50.00
Thu 14
May
- 2026 -
Posh v Plonk blind tasting
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Join us as we 'blind' taste classic wines over £15 against their supermarket equivalent at £9 or under - can you spot the expensive wines?
£45.00
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Thu 21
May
- 2026 -
Fried Chicken & Fizz
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Join us for an evening of birds and bubbles where we pair humble fried chicken with the wine synonymous with luxury.
£55.00
Thu 04
Jun
- 2026 -
Summer Sips: Exploring Whites & Rosé
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Get ready to toast to summer with a refreshing selection of whites and rosé wines you most likely have never tried!
£45.00
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Thu 25
Jun
- 2026 -
Britain - Your Country needs you... To drink their Wine
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Come and celebrate English Wine Week at this fine wine tasting dedicated to the very best still and sparkling wines that the UK has to offer.
£45.00
Starts Thu 01
Oct
- 2026 -
Under the Grape Skin Series
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
A 3 part tasting series designed to peel back the layers of 6 of the world’s most expressive red grape varieties. Each session focuses on a grape pair; revealing how grape variety, terroir, and winemaking choices shape what ends up in the ...
£150.00
Thu 01
Oct
- 2026 -
Under the Grape Skin - Pinot Noir & Gamay
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Come explore what lies beneath the skin of two of the world’s most elegant grape varieties, being thin-skinned they produce light-bodied, expressive wines with lots of character. Join us to taste through 6 wines finishing with a UK vs USA ...
£60.00
Thu 08
Oct
- 2026 -
Under the Grape Skin - Syrah & Grenache
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Get Under the grape skin of two of the most expressive and food-friendly red varietals, that taste great solo but also blended; Come sip a selection of 6 of these great wines from around the globe - finishing with a France vs Australia wine off!
£50.00
Wed 14
Oct
- 2026 -
Discover the wines of the Rhône Valley
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Discover the Rhône Valley with expert guest presenter Linda Field. A Rhône resident, Linda will be pouring six different wines from a variety of appellations and sharing her insider's view on this dynamic and diverse wine region.
£45.00
Thu 15
Oct
- 2026 -
Under the Grape Skin - Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Get Under the grape skin of two of the world's most beloved red wine varietals. Join us as we taste our way through a selection of 100% pure variety wines and blended wines from around the globe finishing with a France vs USA wine off!
£50.00
Thu 05
Nov
- 2026 -
Sherry & Tapas Tasting Evening
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Sherry isn't a wine that only your Nan drinks at Christmas! Its one of the oldest & most varied wine style in the world. Best way to try it is when its perfectly paired with superb Spanish tapas!
£45.00
Thu 18
Dec
- 2025 -
Is it Champagne ?? - Christmas Edition
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Think you know your Champagne from your Cava - come and join us for a festive themed blind Sparkling Wine tasting ........
Starts
Thu 22
Jan
- 2026 -
Discover the World of Wine Course
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Our 4 week World of Wines courses, explore Red, White, Sparkling and Fortified wines.
Suitable for novices as well as amateurs keen to learn more, this course will expand your palates and have you tasting like a pro .
£165.00
Thu 22
Jan
- 2026 -
Discover the World of Wine - Red Wines
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
What is it that makes Red Wines taste so different? Join us as we taste 6 different delicious red wines to discover more.
£45.00
Thu 29
Jan
- 2026 -
Discover the World of Wine - Sparkling Wine
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
What makes fizz so moorish ? - come and compare Champagne with Cava, Prosecco, English Sparkling Wine, and more.
Understand how its made and what to look for
£45.00
Thu 05
Feb
- 2026 -
Discover the World of Wine - White Wines
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Want to know your Chardonnay from your Pinot Grigio then this is the course for you - come discover why white wines can be so different
£45.00
Thu 12
Feb
- 2026 -
Discover the World of Wine - Sweet & Fortified Wines
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
A Port isn't just for Christmas and a Sweet wine isn't just for dessert, come and discover this fascinating wine style
£45.00
Thu 26
Feb
- 2026 -
Cheese & Wine Pairing Evening
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Love cheese and wine? Join us for an evening of perfect pairings! Sample six wines and a selection of delicious cheeses.
£50.00
Thu 05
Mar
- 2026 -
Old Vine Wines - What Makes Them Special?
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
There is a general belief that older vines, when properly handled, will give a better wine with more concentration, complexity when compared to young vine wines. Come and see for yourself at this wonderfull Old Vine Masterclass
£45.00
Thu 12
Mar
- 2026 -
Posh v Plonk blind tasting
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Join us as we 'blind' taste classic wines over £15 against their supermarket equivalent at £9 or under - can you spot the expensive wines?
£45.00
Thu 16
Apr
- 2026 -
Discover Wine - An introduction to Wine Tasting
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
If you're new to wine-tasting and want to learn more about wine in a relaxed and fun evening, then this is the perfect event for you!
£40.00
Thu 23
Apr
- 2026 -
Cheese, Charcuterie and Wine Pairing Evening
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
A glass of wine on its own gets lonley, it really comes to life with shared with some food packed with flavour, join us for a delectable tour of some of the best of these pairings.
£50.00
Thu 30
Apr
- 2026 -
Burgers & Burgundy
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
The Michelin guide will tell you that fine wine must be paired with fine food and sure its a pairing that works, but there's no doubting that fine wine and fast food also make for a great combo!
£50.00
Thu 14
May
- 2026 -
Posh v Plonk blind tasting
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Join us as we 'blind' taste classic wines over £15 against their supermarket equivalent at £9 or under - can you spot the expensive wines?
£45.00
Thu 21
May
- 2026 -
Fried Chicken & Fizz
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Join us for an evening of birds and bubbles where we pair humble fried chicken with the wine synonymous with luxury.
£55.00
Thu 04
Jun
- 2026 -
Summer Sips: Exploring Whites & Rosé
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Get ready to toast to summer with a refreshing selection of whites and rosé wines you most likely have never tried!
£45.00
Thu 25
Jun
- 2026 -
Britain - Your Country needs you... To drink their Wine
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Come and celebrate English Wine Week at this fine wine tasting dedicated to the very best still and sparkling wines that the UK has to offer.
£45.00
Starts
Thu 01
Oct
- 2026 -
Under the Grape Skin Series
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
A 3 part tasting series designed to peel back the layers of 6 of the world’s most expressive red grape varieties. Each session focuses on a grape pair; revealing how grape variety, terroir, and winemaking choices shape what ends up in the ...
£150.00
Thu 01
Oct
- 2026 -
Under the Grape Skin - Pinot Noir & Gamay
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Come explore what lies beneath the skin of two of the world’s most elegant grape varieties, being thin-skinned they produce light-bodied, expressive wines with lots of character. Join us to taste through 6 wines finishing with a UK vs USA ...
£60.00
Thu 08
Oct
- 2026 -
Under the Grape Skin - Syrah & Grenache
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Get Under the grape skin of two of the most expressive and food-friendly red varietals, that taste great solo but also blended; Come sip a selection of 6 of these great wines from around the globe - finishing with a France vs Australia wine off!
£50.00
Wed 14
Oct
- 2026 -
Discover the wines of the Rhône Valley
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Discover the Rhône Valley with expert guest presenter Linda Field. A Rhône resident, Linda will be pouring six different wines from a variety of appellations and sharing her insider's view on this dynamic and diverse wine region.
£45.00
Thu 15
Oct
- 2026 -
Under the Grape Skin - Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Get Under the grape skin of two of the world's most beloved red wine varietals. Join us as we taste our way through a selection of 100% pure variety wines and blended wines from around the globe finishing with a France vs USA wine off!
£50.00
Thu 05
Nov
- 2026 -
Sherry & Tapas Tasting Evening
The Guildford Institute
7:00pm
Sherry isn't a wine that only your Nan drinks at Christmas! Its one of the oldest & most varied wine style in the world. Best way to try it is when its perfectly paired with superb Spanish tapas!
£45.00