The Spike Heritage Centre
The Spike Heritage Centre
5
About
We are open from February 14th 2023 for drop-in visits on Tuesday mornings (last tour starts at 12 noon) and on Saturdays from 10 o’clock with the last tour starting no later than 3pm. The Casual ward to the Guildford Union Workhouse was, and still is, known locally as The Spike. This is no ordinary visitor attraction but a unique visit to a time, place and a way of life for generations history often chose to forget. Prepare to be deeply moved as the tour guides escort you through an unforgettable Night at the Spike. Over 600 Casual wards were built in Britain, the Guildford Casual Ward is uniquely the only remaining with its working cells.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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5.0
240 reviews
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Marian H
10 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Nina showed us around the Work House and really bought it to life for us. Most enjoyable and definitely recommend if you don't know anything about Work Houses.
Written 16 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
June M
Reading, UK27 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
We visited The Spike yesterday and were guided through the Casual Ward by Jordan, who proved to be an informative and enthusiastic guide. It was very interesting to understand more about the workhouse system and see conditions for ourselves. The entry price was very reasonable and we both felt we had spent a most worthwhile afternoon exploring a piece of social history which is often referenced but generally misunderstood.
Written 30 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
originaltish
London, UK94 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Really interesting visit . Our guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about the history . Really enjoyed our time learning about the Unionised work house system .
Written 27 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark
Stirling, UK3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Turned up and felt very welcome as the lovely guide welcomed us in and took us on a really interesting tour. Kids (9 and 12) enjoyed it and our guide interacted with them too. Lovely place and learned a lot. All in all took about 1 and a half hours and was well worth it.
Written 4 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer S
2 contributions
Jun 2023
This gem is well worth the short walk from Guildford. Excellent guided tour and the heritage centre really brings to life the experiences of people who sought refuge at the Workhouse. There is loads to see and the entry price is a real bargain.
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bethan T
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
A really fascinating tour! Both tour guides were so passionate and knowledgeable. Great to see pictures and small film to see how it would have been. Really amazing to be able to walk around and hear stories about people who were there. Definitely recommend a visit.
Written 1 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Organiser2015
United Kingdom6 contributions
Jun 2023
Spent a fascinating couple of hours at this museum in Guildford. The tour guides are so knowledgeable, about the Spike, Work house conditions and Guildford local history.
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Magenta56
Cheshire,England229 contributions
Apr 2023
I was surprised how interesting the Spike was. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable. There was plenty to read, a video and exhibits to see. The spike really gave you an insight into life in a workhouse. There was also information about its much later life as a hospital which I found interesting. We could have spent a lot more time there, certainly a couple of hours there. I think older children would find it interesting too. They have toilets for visitors.
Written 19 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne S
Bicester, UK6 contributions
Apr 2023
David - and TJ also - were wonderful guides and went above and beyond to show me this bleak but fascinating place and explain to me its history. This had special significance for me as I have ancestors who sadly ended up in a workhouse. This place deserves to be much more well known than it is and I highly recommend visiting it. It serves as a reminder of the past and of how far society has come and how much we have to be grateful for.
Written 13 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mccrystal66
142 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Fab visit to the tramp spike and great tour by Dennis, TJ and David. Very interesting visit and well worth the visit. Highly reccomended
Written 9 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Short-breaker69
Woking3 contributions
Where can I park?
Regina R
Guildford, UK122 contributions
we have a carpark (16 spaces)
Zawja-hana
25 contributions
Absolutely would love to visit the Spike, this week. Do I have to book in advance for a tour guide or can we go round ourselves without? How much is entry price? Many thanks.
Regina R
Guildford, UK122 contributions
In December and January we open for booked visits - just give us a call, tell us when you can come and we will open up especially for you - it will be our pleasure
MrsEasty
Walton-On-Thames, UK
Hi,
My children are 7 yrs and 5.5 yrs. Do you think they are a bit young to visit? The 5.5 yr old has just finished learning about the Victorians at school and loved the topic.
Thanks!
Regina R
Guildford, UK122 contributions
Thank you for your comments, they are quite right. Do please call and tell us when you are coming, we will arrange for a special tour guide, one who is used to school visits.
How do I get there and is there car parking nearby
Regina R
Guildford, UK122 contributions
Head for St Luke's Surgery on Warren Road, GU1 3JH we share an entrance through the Workhouse Wall
Lots of free parking
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Claim your listingTHE SPIKE HERITAGE CENTRE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Spike Heritage Centre
- The Spike Heritage Centre is open:
- Tue - Tue 10:00 - 15:00
- Sat - Sat 10:00 - 15:00
- Hotels near The Spike Heritage Centre:
- (0.20 mi) Addison B&B
- (0.38 mi) Mandolay Hotel
- (0.45 mi) Harbour Hotel Guildford
- (0.31 mi) Portland Terrace
- (1.31 mi) Asperion
- Restaurants near The Spike Heritage Centre:
- (0.43 mi) The Long Bar & Grill
- (0.43 mi) Shah's Secreto
- (0.45 mi) HarBAR Kitchen, Bar and Terrace
- (0.38 mi) Maloncho Tandoori
- (0.61 mi) Raviz