CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale logo
Pubs & Clubs
Beers & Breweries
Pubs & Clubs
Beers & Breweries
CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale logo
Join Us

Guildford Arms, Edinburgh

You have visited this venue
View all visits
Directions
You want to visit - You have this in
Open
1 West Register St., Edinburgh, EH2 2AA (View on Google Map)
(0131) 556 4312
Email
Website
Facebook

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.

Information for this venue is provided by the Edinburgh & South East Scotland Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Last updated
28/02/2025
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
Premium Access Required

You must be a Digital Subscriber or CAMRA Member to be able to view specially curated GBG descriptions

Premium Access Required
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

Current beers

This Pub serves 5 changing beers and 5 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen
Swannay - Orkney IPA
Swannay - Orkney IPA Premium Pale Ale • 4.8% Spotted 19 times
Swannay - Orkney IPA
Bronze Award
Swannay - Orkney IPA

Premium Pale Ale

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 4.8%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 19 times recently. Last spotted 1 week ago
Stewart - Pentland IPA
Stewart - Pentland IPA Session Pale Ale • 3.9% Spotted 9 times
Stewart - Pentland IPA
Stewart - Pentland IPA

Session Pale Ale

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 3.9%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 9 times recently. Last spotted 1 week ago
Taylor's Landlord Pump clip
Timothy Taylor - Landlord Session Bitter • 4.3% Spotted 13 times
Taylor's Landlord Pump clip
Timothy Taylor - Landlord

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 4.3%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 13 times recently. Last spotted 1 week ago
Fyne Ales - Jarl
Fyne Ales - Jarl Session Golden Ale • 3.8% Spotted 14 times
Fyne Ales - Jarl
Fyne Ales - Jarl

Session Golden Ale

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 3.8%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 14 times recently. Last spotted 1 week ago
Loch Lomond - Silkie Stout
Loch Lomond - Silkie Stout Strong Stout • 5% Spotted 30 times
Loch Lomond - Silkie Stout
Loch Lomond - Silkie Stout

Strong Stout

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 5%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 30 times
Dark Island Pump Clip
Orkney - Dark Island Strong Mild • 4.6% Spotted 4 times
Dark Island Pump Clip
Silver Award
Orkney - Dark Island

Strong Mild

ABV: 4.6%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
Spotted 4 times recently. Last spotted 3 days ago
Cromarty - Happy Chappy
Cromarty - Happy Chappy Session Golden Ale • 4.1% Spotted twice
Cromarty - Happy Chappy
Cromarty - Happy Chappy

Session Golden Ale

ABV: 4.1%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
Spotted twice recently. Last spotted 3 days ago
Mad Squirrel - Evolve
Mad Squirrel - Evolve Session Bitter • 4.1% Spotted once
Mad Squirrel - Evolve
Mad Squirrel - Evolve

Session Bitter

ABV: 4.1%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
Spotted once recently. Last spotted 1 week ago
Changing

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

Source: National

Your scores

Join CAMRA to access beer scoring and view scores for other pubs. Become a member.
Retrieving scores
You have no beer scores submitted.
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
Real Ale Real 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.

Help keep our information accurate!

Notice an error or missing details? Help us keep our pub & club information accurate by sharing any corrections or updates you spot.

Suggest an edit

Nearby

View All
Heritage Pub
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-12-2013
Open
Cafe Royal
Pub, in Edinburgh
5 Changing Beers
0.0 miles from you
  • CAMRA discount scheme
Heritage Pub
(Pub). Published on 23-07-2017
Voodoo Rooms
Pub, in Edinburgh
REAL ALE not available
0.0 miles from you
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 14-08-2023
Bar Prince [Balmoral Hotel]
Pub, in Edinburgh
REAL ALE not available
0.1 miles from you
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 17-10-2022
Alchemist
Pub, in Edinburgh
Beer
0.1 miles from you
OCR Pub
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 05-12-2013
Open
Tiles Bistro Bar
Pub, in Edinburgh
3 Changing Beers
0.1 miles from you
  • Conversion
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 17-10-2022
Newsroom
Pub, in Edinburgh
REAL ALE not available
0.1 miles from you
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 23-07-2017
Open
Waterloo Bar
Pub, in Edinburgh
REAL ALE not available
0.1 miles from you
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 20-01-2019
Open • Closes in 33 minutes
Bonnie Scotland
Other Drinking Establishment, in Edinburgh
REAL ALE not available
0.1 miles from you
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 10-11-2024
Open
BrewDog {Edinburgh Waverley}
Pub, in Edinburgh
REAL ALE not available
0.1 miles from you
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 26-10-2017
Bread Street Kitchen & Bar
Pub, in Edinburgh
REAL ALE not available
0.1 miles from you

Need accommodation?

 

 

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

Recently Viewed

Open
Barn Owl
Pub, in Quedgeley
1 Regular Beer
Pub Walk Shoes Icon

Love Cask Beer?

Join CAMRA to support the campaign to access more features plus access to a range of different benefits.

Become a member
© Campaign for Real Ale 2023 - 2025 (ce-10)
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube
Home

Privacy Overview

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. You can allow all or manage them individually.

Necessary

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-Necessary

These cookies help us to improve your web experience. They allow us to gather feedback on your behaviour and to show adverts relevant to you. You can turn this off here.

Cookies

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. You can allow all or manage them individually.