Heritage Australian bootmaker R.M.Williams will open its new Guildford store on Thursday 2 April, bringing more than ninety years of craftsmanship from Adelaide to the heart of Surrey. Located on Guildford’s historic High Street, the store arrives in response to growing regional demand from customers who value quality, durability and products made to last.
Founded in Australia in 1932, R.M.Williams built its reputation on utility, endurance and honest craftsmanship, most notably through its iconic single-piece leather boot, cut from one piece of leather for strength, longevity and repair. The Guildford opening reflects a natural alignment between the brand’s heritage and Britain’s own traditions of making, endurance and craftsmanship, creating a permanent home for local customers who value quality and purpose over polish.
The new store offers customers the opportunity to experience the workmanship behind R.M.Williams’ products up close, reflecting the brand’s ongoing commitment to craft and enduring design.
A response to regional demand
Situated on Guildford’s historic High Street, the new store marks a natural next step for the brand, following years of loyalty from customers across Surrey and the surrounding countryside.
Designed for those who value comfort, versatility and quality, the brand’s products move seamlessly between town and country equally suited tothe Australian outback and the Surrey Hills.
Australian heritage meets Surrey history
The Guildford store occupies a Grade II-listed building of architectural and historic significance, with origins dating back to the 17th century. The building reflects the long evolution of Guildford’s High Street, where generations of independent retailers have shaped the town’s commercial identity.
As part of the restoration, R.M.Williams will sensitively reinstate the building’s 1950s shopfront, a nod to its mid-century chapter as a men’s outfitter, while integrating design elements that reflect both Surrey’s heritage and the brand’s Australian roots.
Designed with craft in mind
The interior has been designed by Melbourne-based studio ACRD, whose work translates R.M.Williams’ craft heritage into contemporary retail environments. Having also led the design of the brand’s Jermyn Street flagship, ACRD establishes a consistent UK design language centred on craftsmanship, authenticity and material integrity.
A curated selection of vintage furniture, sourced from UK suppliers including The French House and Patina Sofas, brings depth and character to the space. Each piece reflects a focus on restoration, longevity and the quiet beauty of objects made to endure, creating an environment inspired by heritage British interiors and timeless design.
The store will also feature commissioned artwork by First Nations artist Tiarna Herczeg. Born on Dharug Country and now practising on Gadigal land in Sydney, Herczeg’s work forms part of the store’s material story, acknowledging the cultural depth of Australian making in a considered and respectful way.
Crafted in Adelaide
Designed as a space where customers can experience the craftsmanship behind R.M.Williams’ products first-hand, the Guildford store reflects the brand’s commitment to quality and enduring design, rather than trend-led retail.
R.M.Williams’ boots continue to be crafted in Adelaide, South Australia, where each pair passes through 88 pairs of hands during production. Cut from a single piece of leather and constructed using traditional Goodyear welt techniques, the boots are made for durability, repair and longevity, principles that have defined the brand since 1932.
Equally suited to the Australian outback and the British countryside, the boots reflect a philosophy of making things properly, and making them to last.
For those looking to add a personalised touch, an embossing station will be a permanent feature in-store, allowing customers to personalise leather goods and continue R.M.Williams’ long- standing tradition of craftsmanship and personalisation.
For R.M.Williams, the Guildford opening is less about entering a new market and more about strengthening an existing connection, bringing its Australian tradition of craftsmanship to a community that shares the same appreciation for durability, authenticity and things made properly.
