The borough includes part of the Surrey Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The neighbouring districts are Surrey Heath, Woking, Elmbridge, Reigate and Banstead, Waverley and Rushmoor.

[9] Parts of the borough are covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government for their areas.

[10] The council owns significant heritage assets that include monuments such as Guildford Castle, as well museums, art collections and civic regalia.

[32] Guildford has the second largest population of Surrey's eleven districts (based on census statistics, only 600 residents behind Reigate and Banstead).