Where to live in the Surrey Hills: A guide for buyers
Are you wondering where to live in the Surrey Hills? Garrington’s expert local knowledge will provide valuable insight to guide you in your search.
The Surrey Hills National Landscape (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) takes a prominent position as one of the most sought-after places to reside in the South East.
Conveniently close to London, the area is perfect for commuters who yearn for green surroundings while enjoying convenient access to the city.
The region offers top-notch educational opportunities and great transport links, making it an appealing option for families, young professionals, and retirees.
Boasting charming villages and historic market towns, the Surrey Hills are highly attractive to homebuyers. From quaint cottages to substantial family homes with land, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Here we take a look at where to live in the Surrey Hills. These villages offer quiet, country living in this idyllic area.
Abinger Hammer
Abinger Hammer takes its name from its water-powered forge. Situated halfway between the market towns of Dorking and Guildford, it is the quintessential English village.
There is a small shop, a popular pub, The Abinger Hatch, and a village green. The latter is a well-loved spot for summer picnics, watching cricket, and paddling in the River Tillingbourne.
For those looking to stretch their legs further, the nearby Oxmoor Copse offers around three acres of woodland, while Abinger Roughs, with its ancient trees and meadowland, provides miles of trails for families of all ages.
Albury
Albury is a pretty village nestled in the Tillingbourne Valley, around four miles east of Guildford. Known for its historic parkland and striking architecture, it is surrounded by areas of natural beauty. Albury Park, with its Grade II* listed gardens designed by John Evelyn, is one of the village’s defining features.
The village itself is served by Albury Village Store and post office, several traditional pubs including The Drummond Arms, and St Peter and St Paul Church, parts of which date back to Saxon times.
Albury is also home to Surrey’s only organic vineyard, Albury Vineyard, a family-run boutique estate producing award-winning English sparkling wine from locally grown grapes. The vineyard offers a place to relax, with tours and tastings available.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Albury offers direct access to the Surrey Hills’ footpaths, including routes along the North Downs Way.
Local attractions include the Silent Pool Distillery and the tranquil Silent Pool itself, a crystal-clear spring steeped in legend.
The village hall provides social activities, with regular classes, exhibitions, and seasonal events. The Albury Fisheries, a series of scenic lakes, are also a feature of the estate and provide opportunities for angling.
With its blend of history, countryside, and proximity to Guildford, Albury is a wonderful option for those seeking a rural setting without being too far removed from town amenities.
Farley Green
Farley Green is a small hamlet of Albury Parish, home to around 200 residents. It sits amidst stretches of heathland and is notable for St Michael’s Church, which has Saxon origins.
The William IV, a popular country pub, serves as the social hub of the hamlet. Its rural setting offers peace and quiet, with direct access to open countryside while still being connected to nearby Guildford and the larger villages of Albury Parish.
Shere
Between the towns of Guildford and Dorking, Shere is a picturesque English village with roots back to the Domesday Book.
It has tea rooms, a bubbling stream, independent shops, and an infant school (dating back to 1852). Additionally, there are two pubs, a quaint museum, and beautiful timber-framed houses. Gomshall train station is a short distance away for convenient travel links.
Shere is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and is close to scenic wonders such as Newlands Corner and the Silent Pool.
Shere is a sought-after filming location. Scenes from Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and The Holiday were filmed against the backdrop of its quaint streets.
Ockley
Ockley is a rural village close to the Sussex/Surrey border. It sits in the shadow of Leith Hill, the second-highest point in South East England and a popular walking spot.
The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden offers a more sedate experience with ten acres of relaxing green space and ponds.
Ockley has a long history. A stretch of the A29 that runs through the village follows the Roman road Stane Street, and evidence suggests settlement here dates back to the Iron Age.
The village has a medieval parish church, a village hall, a doctor’s surgery, and two lively pubs. Once a month, there is the Ockley Farmer’s Market selling local produce. Additionally, Ockley station has direct Southern services to London Victoria.
Hambledon
Hambledon is a pretty, rural village south of Guildford. It has a nursery school, a cricket green, and a thriving community-run village shop with a post office.
The Merry Harriers pub and many local activities give Hambledon a welcoming feel. With book clubs, cricket, rambling, pilates, and bridge in the Village Hall, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Additionally, there is an annual Midsummer Festival.
Tucked away amongst fields and woodland, and with roots back to the Domesday Book, the village church offers scenic views of the surrounding rolling farmland and the National Trust-owned Hydon’s Ball, with its peaceful heath and woodland walks.
With an abundance of tracks and bridleways offering panoramic views of hills and woodland, the area is perfect for walkers, horse riders, and cyclists.
Chiddingfold
Chiddingfold lies near Haslemere and the West Sussex border. It has a lovely, picturesque village green overlooked by many pretty Georgian houses. The village has a forge, various shops, a coffee shop, and a pond.
It boasts a historic inn on the green, The Crown Inn, which dates back centuries. The village hall offers lots of events, including a bi-monthly cinema.
During the 14th and 17th centuries, Chiddingfold was an important centre for glass-making.
Chiddingfold Forest lies mainly within the village boundaries, covering over 1,300 acres (542 ha) of woodland with rich birdlife and miles of walking trails.
Shamley Green
Shamley Green is one of the most sought-after villages for families searching for where to live in the Surrey Hills.
A family-friendly village just four miles south of Guildford, Shamley Green comprises two village greens, the popular Arbuthnot Hall, and plenty of amenities, including Wonersh & Shamley Green CofE Primary School and Longacre School.
There are two pubs, The Red Lion and The Bricklayers Arms, plus a coffee shop, hairdressers, a thriving village store with a post office, and a cricket club.
The village green is also home to a duck pond, annual fetes, dog shows, and brocante fairs.
Community groups thrive, including amateur dramatics, a history society, and gardening and fitness clubs in the village hall. Shamley Green is also a favourite with equestrian buyers thanks to its sandy soil, and there are plenty of period houses with stunning views.
Holmbury St Mary
Holmbury St Mary is a village characterised by Victorian-era houses, nestled between Guildford and Dorking. A local pub, The Royal Oak, overlooks the village green and serves as a hub for residents.
Nearby is the Hurtwood, the largest area of common land in Surrey, with miles of trails for walking, cycling, and horse riding. The village also lies close to Leith Hill, offering commanding views across Surrey and Sussex.
Community life is centred around the Village Hall at Felday Glade, which hosts toddler groups, a bridge club, and a range of local societies and activities.
Betchworth
Betchworth is a historic village at the foot of the North Downs, sitting between Reigate and Dorking. With beautiful chocolate-box cottages, a working forge, a thriving pub, a school, and a post office/village shop, Betchworth is idyllic. The village centre sits on the pretty River Mole.
There are dozens of listed buildings, including St Michael’s Church and Betchworth House. In nearby Brockham are the ruins of Betchworth Castle, a fortified medieval stone house.
Because of its location right in the heart of the countryside, Betchworth has plenty of trails for walkers, cyclists, and runners.
Schools in Surrey Hills
The Surrey Hills have excellent educational establishments, including some SEN schools.
There’s also a choice of higher education facilities, such as The University of Surrey, The University of Law, The University for the Creative Arts (UCA), and The Guildford School of Acting.
So, when considering where to live in the Surrey Hills, you can rest assured that your children’s educational needs will be catered for. Here is a selection of the Surrey Hills’ excellent schools:
Primary schools in and around Surrey Hills
- North Downs Primary School, Betchworth
- Trinity Oaks C of E Primary School, Horley
- Surrey Hills All Saints Primary School, Dorking
- Shere Infant School and Nursery
- Wonersh & Shamley Green CofE Primary School
- St Mary’s CofE Primary School, Chiddingfold
- Abinger Common Nursery
Secondary schools in and around Surrey Hills
- Woolmer Hill School, Haslemere: A co-educational comprehensive academy with around 800–900 students aged 11–16
- Glebelands School, Cranleigh: A co-educational non-selective secondary school for ages 11–16
- King’s College Guildford: A co-educational academy for students aged 11–16, partnered with the University of Surrey, offering clear pathways toward post-16 education or training
Independent schools near Surrey Hills
- Cranleigh School, Cranleigh: A co-educational independent school, offering boarding and day education for pupils aged 13–18
- Hurtwood House, Dorking: A co-educational boarding school and sixth form for pupils aged 15–19
Surrey Hills transport connections
If convenient travel links to London are a factor for you when considering where to live in the Surrey Hills, you have plenty of options.
More than 80 train stations serve the county of Surrey, and the Surrey Hills area is very well connected.
- London to Guildford: Fastest services from Waterloo take around 32 minutes.
- Box Hill & Westhumble: Direct trains run from London Victoria in about an hour; from Waterloo, journeys require a change (e.g., at Wimbledon or Epsom).
- Abinger Hammer: Reached via Gomshall station, with services from London Bridge changing at Redhill.
- Ockley: Direct Southern trains run from London Victoria.
- Frensham: No station in the village, but nearby Farnham station (10 minutes’ drive) offers direct trains to Waterloo.
By road, the M25 gives easy access to London, and the A3 provides a route to Portsmouth.
The nearest airports are Gatwick (around a 30-minute to one-hour drive, depending on location) and Heathrow (about an hour by road).
Where to live in the Surrey Hills
These are just a sample of the many wonderful places to call home in the Surrey Hills. Whether you are looking for a vibrant town or a tranquil, secluded spot away from the hustle and bustle, the Surrey Hills has it.
The area offers a relaxed way of life, with green open spaces, outstanding views, and strong communities, all within easy reach of London.
After being designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in May 1958, the Surrey Hills now cover approximately 163 square miles (422 km²), about one quarter of Surrey.
As of November 2023, the area is officially styled the Surrey Hills National Landscape, and development within it is carefully managed and constrained to preserve its beauty.
If you are considering a move to Surrey, Garrington will be delighted to help you find the perfect property. Please contact us today.
