Surrey

Surrey is a county in the south-east of England, sitting just below Greater London and bordering Berkshire, Hampshire, West Sussex, Kent and East Sussex. It is one of the more densely populated counties outside of London, largely because of its closeness to the capital, and many of its towns function as commuter areas for people who work in the city but prefer a quieter, greener place to live. The county town is Guildford, a historic market town with a castle, a cathedral and a busy high street, though other towns such as Woking, Epsom, Reigate and Redhill are also well known and well populated. Surrey’s landscape is varied, with the North Downs running through the middle of the county, giving rise to areas of chalk grassland, woodland and farmland that contrast with the more built-up suburban areas closer to London. Box Hill, part of the North Downs, is a particularly well-known beauty spot and a popular destination for walkers and cyclists.

The county has a long history that stretches back to before the Norman Conquest, and it has played a part in many significant moments in English history. Runnymede, a water meadow on the banks of the River Thames near Egham, is widely regarded as the place where the Magna Carta was sealed in 1215, and it remains a site of historical and political interest today, with memorials to the Magna Carta itself and to other events. Surrey also has strong royal connections, with several royal residences and estates located within or close to its borders over the centuries. Industrially, Surrey has never been dominated by heavy manufacturing in the way that some other English counties have been; instead, its economy has tended to be shaped by its proximity to London, with many residents working in finance, professional services or other London-based industries, alongside agriculture and more localised businesses in the towns and villages.

Today, Surrey is generally seen as one of the more affluent counties in England, though, as with anywhere, the level of wealth and the cost of living varies a fair amount between different towns and villages within it. House prices tend to be higher than the national average, reflecting both the desirability of the area and its transport links into London, with frequent train services connecting many Surrey towns directly to the capital. The county is also home to a number of well-regarded schools, both state and independent, and to several large employers in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, technology and professional services. Beyond work and housing, Surrey offers a good deal in terms of leisure and outdoor space, including the Surrey Hills, an officially designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as well as a number of historic houses, gardens and parks that are open to visitors. It is a county that blends suburban life with genuine countryside, and this combination is often what people associate with Surrey as a place to live or visit.