Dorking Villages - Picture by Matt Hill

Surrey Hill Villages

The Villages of The Surrey Hills

Sheltering within the hills and valleys of The Surrey Hills are villages and hamlets. Every village is different, but there are certain common characteristics associated with the archetypal English village.

The village church, for example, some of which date back to Norman or early medieval times are the centre of much of the history of the community it serves. The village green is another feature, often a survival of the days when it was common land with rights for villagers to graze their animals. Improperly grazed animals were impounded and the village pound still survives in Westcott and Brockham. The picturesque village pub is another important feature; a welcome site for many visitors and walkers.