Areas of Surrey - Regional Destinations

Surrey located in the South East of England is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire, and Berkshire and is divided into 11 Boroughs and Districts.  

The name Surrey is Saxon meaning "South Ridge" though later the name of the area was Sudergeona or "southern".  Little remains of the Roman or the Saxon periods in Surrey exist. However there is an Iron Age hillfort at Holmbury Hill and remnants of the Roman roads Stane Street and Ermine Street. The title of Earl of Surrey was given as reward for loyalty during the rebellion that followed the death of William I of England, with the signing of the great charter at Runnymede in 1215

Find the answers to some frequently asked questions about Surrey.

Where should you go whilst visiting Surrey? What about......

Guildford

The historic county town, although the county administration Surrey County Council was moved to Kingston upon Thames in 1893.  Guildford with its picturesque setting on the River Wey, dates back to Saxon times and is the largest town in Surrey.   Renowned for its shopping and arts, Guildford attracts many innovative businesses including gaming companies and satellite technology.

Mole Valley

Is the perfect location to explore all of Surrey.  Known for its rolling hills, it is home to stunning scenery including Box Hill.  The charming towns of Dorking and Leatherhead offer great local pubs and small boutique shopping.

Waverley

Discover the bustling towns of EpsomGodalming Farnham  and Kingston as well as a host of attractive villages, packed with places of interest, great walks and cycling and places to dine out.

Despite its location next to London, Surrey contains a great deal of mature woodland. The Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers a quarter of the county. The hills stretch across the chalk North Downs that run from Farnham in the west above Guildford, Dorking and Reigate, to Oxted in the east. This area is a rural paradise with stunning countryside and landscapes.  Among its many notable beauty spots are Box Hill, Leith Hill, Frensham Ponds, Newlands Corner and Puttenham and Crooksbury Commons. It is the most wooded county in Great Britain, with 22.4% coverage. Box Hill has the oldest untouched area of natural woodland in the UK, one of the oldest in Europe.

Much of Surrey is in the Green Belt and rolling downland, the county's geology being dominated by the chalk hills of the North Downs. There are many commons with an extensive network of footpaths and bridleways including the North Downs Way. Towards the north of the county, the land is largely flat around Staines and borders the River Thames. The highest elevation in Surrey is Leith Hill near Dorking at 965 ft (294 m) above sea level, is the highest point in south eastern England.

Surrey’s proximity to London and strategic location within South East England has resulted in it becoming one of the most affluent and successful counties in the UK. The busiest single runway airport in the world (Gatwick) was historically in Surrey, but is now part of West Sussex.

Our comprehensive public transport network means that you can leave your car at home and discover the area with ease by simply hopping on a bus, train or even boat.

Areas to visit