Adventure: Guildford at Christmas

Christmas Shopping

Christmas is just around the corner, and my bank account is already convinced it's here from the present hunting. 

Most of my Christmas shopping this year, and for a few years now, like a lot of people, has become somewhat of an online affair dominated by Mr Amazon.

We all know its convenient shopping online, everything in the world at you fingertips, usually cheaper, and often turns up the next day. There are flaws though, its so disconnected until received the items, and particularly when buying gifts there's no spontaneity; online you search for items, rather than browse for unexpected treasures.

Growing up, part of Christmas was the Christmas shopping, heading out to a town with more than a handful of shops, trundling the pavement for hours on end trying to find something affordable for someone who doesn't have any particular interests, and coming back with a much lighter wallet, felt strangely festive.

My sister and I used to do the bulk of our Christmas shopping together, we lived in a small town without much choice, so we'd head out to Guildford on the bus, surrounded by pensioners utilising their free bus passes. We used to make a whole day of it, shopping and a spot of lunch. 

Christmas Spirit

Amongst the Blue Peter Christmas special, opening of advent calendars, and watching A Muppet's Christmas Carol, this trip heralded the Christmas spirit.

I can't pinpoint why the excursions felt like they brought in the season, but that's sometimes the way with traditions, they don't always make sense, but they're missing when not done. 

I've noticed that it never feels that festive on the run up to Christmas these days, perhaps its lesser celebrated, or I'm just getting old. Whenever I say I like commuting in the dark so that I can see all the lights, I just get funny looks.

In an attempt to rekindle some younger festiveness, I went to my old gift purchasing location and have a wander. 

Guildford

Guildford isn't just a place I've been for Christmas shopping, I used to go with my sister for general shopping trips, and also I went to university there. For three years Guildford was the hub of my daily existence, I say daily, I commuted because I lived close, and only ever had a maximum of twelve hours a week scheduled on campus, but nonetheless you'll understand I'm quite familiar.

There is a substantial amount of residential bias, but Dorking is my favourite town for its peacefulness, but I'm also fond of Guildford, it manages to strike a balance between green peacefulness and bustling town, having everything that you could need.

There's a bakery I wanted to try here for some time, which I did make a trip to, but I also had a stroll and visited a few other spots too. 

Christmas Market

When I first got to Guilford, I went for a wander, there's two main shopping roads, and out of curiosity I roamed to see what had changed, it turned out quiet a few establishments had changed.

Walking past the Holy Trinity Church, I noticed they has a Christmas Market open, which seemed a fittingly festive starting point. I'm very much a Christian at heart, and always make church part of my Christmas festivities, but I'd never been in this one. 

Being completely honest, small Christmas Markets haven't had much appeal before, they mostly feel like individuals trying to flog a bit of tut they've made, but I give them a chance anyway in case.

Most of the stalls in the Church, which does feel a little weird, weren't exactly my cup of tea, but there was one stand that I will shout out. A lady called Kim Edith was selling some great little self crafting kits, which I did buy a few of for a friend who's very much into her crafting. I daren't write too much on the slim chance she reads this before opening her gift. Check out Kim's website here:

www.kimedith.com

Something this market had going for it, other than Kim's little creations, and wonderfully friendliness, was the beauty of the location. The church inside was stunning, there was an underlying peace just walking around. If you're in Guildford pop in, its lovely in there.

The atmosphere was a great place to start building the Christmas spirit, everyone seemed cheerful, and the place decked out in Christmas décor, but all the time overlooked by the reason the event exists.

Guildford Castle

As I mentioned earlier, I've becoming to Guildford my entire life, many times, but I'd didn't know it had a castle grounds until recently. I knew there was a castle in name only, I assumed it was some isolated decrepit pillar. There really is a castle, okay its still not quite a full on castle but its more substantial than expected, and has some beautifully tended grounds.

The environment focuses around an elevated 11th century Keep rising in the middle, which has benches to laze on path winding itself part way up.

Over its life the castle has been used as a palace, residency, and a prison, fortunately it stands and stares in beauty providing needed tranquillity. 

Its such a peaceful and quiet environment, barely just off the high street you feel miles away from the busy shops, I just sat there a while taking in the tranquil and beautiful views over the Cathedral in the distance.

Gail's

From a little research into local bakeries a few months ago, Gail's came very well rated and I've been meaning to try it since.

Not what I imagine a high footfall side lane of the High Street hosts a couple off restaurants and Gail's Bakery.

As seems to be the way with bakeries nowadays, the establishment is part café also. Online the cakes and bread looked spectacular, as you would hope, and I wasn't disappointed in person.

From the outside the café looks rather small, but there is additional seating that extends overlooking a lower shopping courtyard; a strange setup, but with the café being the only reason to be up there, and a huge Christmas Tree in centre it was weirdly enchanting. 

I hadn't eaten yet and it was mid afternoon, following what had already been a long day, including a physiotherapy session, so I thought I'd test out both the sweet and savoury treats.

I ordered a Mushroom and Caramelised Onion Quiche, a Christmas Bun, and a Cappuccino. 

When I don't really mind what coffee I had, I normally go for Cappuccino, latte can be too milky, and white coffee, goodness only knows why, seems to confuse some servers.

My eyes from entering were fixated on the Babka, I've made it, but never bought it. The Babka looked stunning, and I would like to know just how amazing it can be, despite my attempt being quite good already. I would've had the Babka, but that'll have to be next time, spoiler alert, will probably happen.

The Christmas Roll caught the corner of my eye, and demanded to be purchased, as the whole point of the trip was to get into a festive spirit. 

There's much story behind buying the quiche, it looked great!

Mushroom and Caramelised Quiche

The Mushroom and Onion quiche was encased in what I assume to be related to flaky pastry, not the typical shortcrust, but definitely enhanced the dish. The pastry did seems a little over baked okay burnt, in places, but the slight bitterness complemented the sweetness from the onion. 

The quiche was ever so slightly warm, so little this may not be deliberate. The quiche would be superb warm, but that'll probably be the luck of your timing.

Both the mushroom and onion came through, and was very delicious, I'd definitely recommend this as a light lunch.

Cappuccino

The Cappuccino was well made and light as a feather, you could tell that the barista was an expert of their craft. The flavour of the coffee itself was by no means strong, so at least its on par with Starbucks then. 

If you're going to Gail's, you're going for the food, and may get a coffee whilst there, so the food makes up for the lack of taste in the coffee.

Christmas Bun

Best bit for last, after being spoilt for choice on the cake front, the Christmas bun is suitabley festive for Christmas shopping. To describe the pastry, it is basically a Cinnamon bun with the additional typical Christmas spice flavours.

As I went to bite I could smell the clove calling. This cake is thoroughly infused with Christmas, I’ll be making these myself, stay tuned for that. It's going to be a Cinnamon bun recipe, but with added clove, all spice, and ginger.

Meeting the bottom of the cake I encountered chocolate, I’ve nothing against chocolate but it doesn’t belong here. Overall the Christmas bun was a sublime treat, but slightly tainted literally at the last bite. 

The enriched dough of the bun was super soft and fluffy, I'm near to saying perfect. 

I apologise now that the photo has a bite missing, the cake's siren song was so enticing I forgot that you might want to see it first.

Ole & Steen

Unexpectedly, I also found another bakery and café combination around the corner, a Danish chain called Ole & Steen, from looking them up they are located across London, and one in Guildford, as far as the UK is concerned.

The window display was so wonderful I had to have a look inside. I always associate Danish as being quality for anything, so I 'knew' that I'd like this place.

There's many sweets to choose from, but between the amount of cooking I've been doing lately, and the Christmas bun I was a little sugared out, so I chose a Salmon roll, and another Cappuccino, for fair comparison.

From what I can tell, from my huge sample of two, Guildford has nailed the execution of making a Cappuccino, and pleasantly Ole & Steen have introduced a reasonable amount of flavour also, they won the coffee battle it seems.

The roll had a bit of a chew, but I genuinely believe this to be a conscious choice, so I'm not holding it against them. The salmon was fresh and the sandwich was well balanced with pickled cucumber, pepper, and the lemon and herb cream cheese dancing in unison. I thoroughly enjoyed it, I'll definitely be jumping in whenever I see one of these, and hope more local ones appear.

A side note I found at Ole & Steen is that they have an app that can be used to order for both pickup and in store, but the best thing about this app is the amount of loyalty points that you start with, easily enough to grab a couple of bits. This clearly shows confidence in the products, which from my short trip is justified.

Neither café I visited had a warm and relaxing vibe, this would've been a nice addition, but is seldom found these days. The cynical part of me does wonder if the somewhat underdone interiors are to decrease lingering to make room for new punters. 

Black Sheep Coffee

I didn't want to leave without going to Black Sheep coffee, and I did fancy getting something to drink on the unreliable train home, but if I had another coffee I'd be bouncing off the carriage ceiling, so I my favourite tea, an Earl Grey.

I discovered this place when last in Guildford, there isn't really a counter, you order and pay at touchscreens, and they serve alcohol also. A strange environment, but cool, so I had to include it.

The main question is, did I come away more festive? Yes, I did, it was a nice afternoon out somewhere I hadn't been for a long time. 

Happy Christmas!

I discovered a couple of new bakery chains, both of which make fantastic produce, although a bit of a shame they're mostly in London. 

I'm glad a found some Christmas presents, and some ideas for future bakes. 

There will be another blog post next weekend, the last before the big day, but until then merry Christmas!