Glorious Guildford

GLORIOUS GLORIOUS GUILDFORD GUILDFORD

Dripping in heritage, Guildford has all the goods when it comes to treasures, treats and trails.

THE TOWN OF Guildford was established in 1829 and, along with the settlements of Perth and Fremantle, it set the foundations for the beginnings of the Swan River Colony.

It grew to become a bustling market town, modelled on similar towns back in England – colonial architecture, an abundance of Devonshire tea, and more. Much of that old English charm remains today, meticulously preserved or brought back to life in an effort to retain the area’s significant past.

“Guildford is the town where history is preserved,” says Michael Buzza, a long-time local of the area.

The streets are a snapshot in time, the history uncoverable along the four Guildford Heritage Walk Trails – the Town Walk, River Ramble, Stirling Square Circuit, and Captain Stirling Walk. Each self-guided trail begins and ends at the Old Guildford Courthouse – now home of the Swan Valley Visitor Centre – offering a history lesson, tales of colonial life, and a rundown of the intriguing characters that have called Guildford home, over the years.

A keen preservationist himself, Buzza brings his own legacy to the historic streets of Guildford. The town was the obvious choice for his endeavour as, “the town where history is preserved, goes ‘hand in glove’ with the Museum of Natural History and Academy of Taxidermy.”

It was a lifetime love of nature and a passion for preserving nature’s wonders that lured Buzza into a taxidermy career, something that he’s been at for 45 years now.

“Taxidermy is a combination of art and science,” he says, careful to keep the trade secrets under wraps and the magic of his animal-filled museum alive.

The museum has appeal for both young and old, filled with life-sized mounts of echidnas, tigers, macaws, and even fossils. And while Buzza’s subjects fall outside the architectural realm, his preservation efforts are every bit as important to the history of Guildford as the heritage Regent Picture Theatre building they’re housed in. They, and the museum, have been a part of the community for the past 15 years.

Buzza has an undeniable fondness for the area that only comes with long-termresident territory. A big supporter of his fellow business owners, he’s always one to encourage people to get out and explore the best of Guildford.

“As a long-term resident, I would recommend visiting every single business, pub, and cafe in the area at least once, as each of them offers different cuisines, flavours, tastes, and experiences,” he says.

Where to Eat

Alfred’s Kitchen began operating out of a roadside caravan back in 1946. More than 75 years on, and it’s still pumping, albeit from a bigger, better, and more permanent location near the corner of James and Meadow Streets. Burgers are the name of Alfred’s game, flipped and served fresh around the cosy outdoor fire pit or in the refurbished heritage train carriage from 1906. The bustling burger bar is an institution in Perth, one of Guildford’s favourite late-night hangouts. It’s open seven days a week and trades up until midnight on weekdays, and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sit outside around the fire pit, and you’ll be able to spy The Guildford Hotel from your perch. It occupies a grand old building from the 1800s, beautifully redone and standing stately on the corner of James Street and Great Eastern Highway. Inside, local beers flow from the 16 taps, and ‘Thomas’, the humanised on-site smoker, is always gently burning away, lending its flavours to an American-style menu heavy on barbecued meats.

Stopping by the colourful Willing Coffee will momentarily transport you to yet another continent with its tendency towards 1950s Italo design and penchant for great coffee. A playful blend of curved

lines, stainless steel, marble, mirrors, and cycling memorabilia, this neighbourhood coffee hotspot is as easy on the eye as its goods are on the tastebuds.

Find even more Italian vibes and flavours – just like mamma used to make – at the homestyle Locale Mio. Using simple, farm-fresh ingredients, this restaurant serves up some of Guildford’s finest pizza, pasta, and tapas.

In the Padbury Buildings – a carefully restored remnant from 1869 – the aptly named Padbury’s dishes up picture-perfect breakfast, lunch, and dinner all week. Its thick, fluffy “meringue munro” pancake stacks are a feast for your eyes, as are the decadent Eggs Benedict. Weekends at this charming cafe get even more so with one of their famed high tea experiences, bookable between 1 and 3pm on both Saturdays and Sundays.

Where to Shop

Sate your sartorial appetite with a spot of shopping next door at Panache Living. Owned by the husband and wife team Shane and Sue Armitage, this fashion, furniture, and homewares store is brimming with handpicked goodies from around the world. There’s everything from large, hand-carved day beds and coffee tables to closet-staples from brands like Fate and Becker, Sass, and Rollies. Take your time perusing the store, and don’t forget to pet Benson, the couple’s sweet Jack Russell and moonlighting shop assistant.

Tucked down a cul-de-sac off the main shopping strip, The Dutch Shop is – unsurprisingly – a massive hit with the Dutch ex-pat community in Perth. The gourmet deli stocks all matter of delicacies from the canal-rich European country, from rollmops and Dutch sausages to 40 or more different types of liquorice and aniseed sprinkles. Complete your tour of Europe with a stop at Mimmo’s next door for a takeaway tub or two of silky, sweet gelato.

Guildford is absolutely drenched in history; it would be remiss to not drop into one or more of the many antique and second-hand stores in the area.

You could lose hours discovering the 20th-century treasures at Dr Russell’s Imaginarium. Self-titled as the “dealers of nostalgia”, the store’s shelves are filled with impeccably preserved magazines from decades past, vintage figurines, elegant 50s jewellery, and more peculiar finds like fossilised teeth and bones.

Stepping into Dr Russell’s Imaginarium, much like the broader Guildford area, is to take a step back in time. swanvalley.com.au/See-and-Do/Attractions/Historic-attractions/ Glorious-Guildford

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