The title had first appeared as a suffragan See in the Diocese of Winchester in 1874.

The diocese covers the western half of the County of Surrey.

The see is in the town of Guildford where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit which was built as a cathedral 1936 to 1965.

The bishop's residence is Willow Grange, Jacobs Well[1] — to the north of Guildford.

[2] Among those who have served as assistant bishops of the diocese have been: