Is Guildford a city?

Question

Previous questions raised seem to have proved a littl in conclusive

Answer 1

yes it is

Answer 2

It has a cathedral so I think it is. (Isn't that what defines a 'city'?)

Answer 3

It's a town, in Surrey. It's just a pretty large one.

(I live just down the road from there)

Though often referred to as a city Guildford is a town, but has applied for city status several times. Guildford's 2002 application to be granted the status of a city was unsuccessful, losing out to Preston, the only English town being formally recognised as a city as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations. Traditionally, the establishment of a diocesan cathedral in a town conferred city status, and the presence of a University is often used as a rule of thumb in determining a settlement's status. Guildford has both of these institutions, has a rich social history and is a significant economic hub in Surrey, a county with no city.

Even though Guildford is the county town for Surrey, the council itself has its administrative base in Kingston upon Thames which, although formerly in Surrey, is now in Greater London.

Other organisations of note that have headquarters in Guildford include Surrey Police and SEEDA, the South East England Development Agency. The South East England Regional Assembly also meets in Guildford.

Answer 4

No Guildford is a borough not a city

Guildford was a borough by 1130 and enjoyed direct privileges from the king, like other boroughs.  Henry III confirmed Guildford's status as the county town of Surrey in 1257, but the closeness of London probably did much to prevent the town from developing into a large regional centre, like other county towns.

Answer 5

Guildford is indeed a city - it has a cathedral!

Answer 6

No. Its a town.

City status is granted by letters patent from the monarch.

Guildford does have a cathedral though, which makes it confusing. It is the county town for Surrey; the 'capital' of the county

Answer 7

Yes.