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Guildford Arms, Edinburgh

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1 West Register St., Edinburgh, EH2 2AA (View on Google Map)
(0131) 556 4312
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  • Historic Interior

A large establishment built in the golden age of Victorian pub design. The high ceiling, cornices, friezes, window arches and screens are spectacular. It has been identified by CAMRA as having a special nationally important historic pub interior. There is a large standing area around the canopied bar plus extensive seating areas. The diverse range of real ales includes many from Scottish breweries. Meals and simple bar snacks are available all day, both downstairs and in the noteworthy upstairs gallery restaurant where children over five are permitted. Owned by DM Stewart, who also have the Abbotsford, Cumberland Bar and Ryries. Tables can be reserved via email.

Information for this venue is provided by the Edinburgh & South East Scotland Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Last updated
17/07/2025
Last surveyed
20/01/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
D M Stewart Ltd.
Pub ID
EDN/136
Asset of Community Value

One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest

Listed status: B

Most of the grand interior dates from the 1896 opening and is a fine example of Victorian rococo - best viewed from the gallery above the main bar. The deep-etched windows are still largely intact as is the revolving door. The ornate island counter is, though, a 1970 replacement.

General information about historic pub interiors

Designed by Robert MacFarlane Cameron and opened in 1896 and has a grand interior with ornate colourfully painted plasterwork and very elaborate Jacobean painted ceilings with spectacular cornices and friezes, a fine example of Victorian Rococo. The splendid panelled interior is best viewed from the gallery bar/ dining room above the main bar. Most of the deep etched and frosted 'Guildford Arms' windows are still intact and there is a revolving door. The ornate island counter is a 1970 replacement for the bar against the back wall.

General information about historic pub interiors
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Monday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Friday
11:00am - Midnight
Saturday
11:00am - Midnight
Sunday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Monday
Noon - 9:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 9:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 9:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 9:00pm
Friday
Noon - 9:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 9:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 9:00pm
TasteMatch

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Current beers

This Pub serves 5 changing beers and 5 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Swannay - Orkney IPA TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Swannay - Orkney IPA
Swannay - Orkney IPA Premium Pale Ale • 4.8% Spotted 23 times
Swannay - Orkney IPA
Swannay - Orkney IPA

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 23 times at Guildford Arms, Edinburgh.

ABV 4.8%
Dispense Handpump
Style Premium Pale Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Stewart - Pentland IPA TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Stewart - Pentland IPA
Stewart - Pentland IPA Session Pale Ale • 3.9% Spotted 16 times
Stewart - Pentland IPA
Stewart - Pentland IPA

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 16 times at Guildford Arms, Edinburgh.

ABV 3.9%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Pale Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free Yes

Timothy Taylor - Landlord TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Taylor's Landlord Pump clip
Timothy Taylor - Landlord Session Bitter • 4.3% Spotted 27 times
Taylor's Landlord Pump clip
Timothy Taylor - Landlord

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 27 times at Guildford Arms, Edinburgh.

ABV 4.3%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Fyne Ales - Jarl TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Fyne Ales - Jarl
Fyne Ales - Jarl Session Golden Ale • 3.8% Spotted 21 times
Fyne Ales - Jarl
Fyne Ales - Jarl

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 21 times at Guildford Arms, Edinburgh.

ABV 3.8%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Golden Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Loch Lomond - Silkie Stout TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Loch Lomond - Silkie Stout
Loch Lomond - Silkie Stout Strong Stout • 5% Spotted 31 times
Loch Lomond - Silkie Stout
Loch Lomond - Silkie Stout

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 31 times at Guildford Arms, Edinburgh.

ABV 5%
Dispense Handpump
Style Strong Stout
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Vocation - Bread & Butter TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Vocation - Bread & Butter
Vocation - Bread & Butter Session Golden Ale • 3.9% Spotted twice
Vocation - Bread & Butter
Vocation - Bread & Butter

Spotted twice recently. Last spotted 1 week ago at Guildford Arms, Edinburgh.

ABV 3.9%
Style Session Golden Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Brew York - Maris the Otter TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Brew York - Maris the Otter
Brew York - Maris the Otter Session Bitter • 3.9% Spotted twice
Brew York - Maris the Otter
Brew York - Maris the Otter

Spotted twice recently. Last spotted 1 week ago at Guildford Arms, Edinburgh.

ABV 3.9%
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan Yes
Gluten Free No
Changing

Changing beers typically include: Bellfield (varies) , Cromarty (varies) , Oakham (varies)

Source: National

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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Children over 5 are permitted in the upstairs restaurant only.
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
bar area only
Events Events
monthly tap takeovers
Restaurant Restaurant
Scottish style cuisine and traditional dishes.
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Free
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
Uses Autovac Uses Autovac
Beer Festival Beer Festival
spring & autunm 10 day festivals
Transport
Close to bus routes (160m)
Various
Open map, zoom in and hover on bus stop symbols to see route numbers
Close to metro (190m)
St Andrew Square
Nearby Station (180m)
Edinburgh
Directions
off E end of Princes St.

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Grab a copy of the Heritage Pub Guide for Scotland

Introduction This guide describes the 116 pubs identified by CAMRA as having interiors of national or regional historic or architectural importance, plus a further 24 whose interiors are of some regional interest. Scotland has over 4000 pubs so why do...

Download Pub Guide
Historic pub interiors

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