Surrey ~ England

Surrey is situated in the south-east of England and covers over 1,500 square kilometres with a population of about 1 million. Surrey is split in to 11 boroughs, Waverley, Guildford, Mole Valley, Woking, Surrey Heath, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Reigate and Banstead and Tandridge, its county town is Guildford. Surrey has rapidly grown in popularity especially as a commuter belt with large built up areas in the north of the County and gradually becoming more rural towards the south,. Surrey is served by the M25, M3 and M23. All major routes (to the North, to Wales, the Channel ports etc) can be accessed from the M25. The M23 connects with major routes to the south coast as well as Gatwick Airport. The M3 leads straight to Southampton. No other county is better served by its rail networks, lying midway between London and the coast. Surrey is located between two major international airports. Heathrow is situated immediately across the county boundary to the north in the London Borough of Hillingdon, and Gatwick lies just to the south in West Sussex. Surrey has an exceptionally low rate of unemployment - less than one per cent of the population. Many high-profile businesses have relocated to Surrey from London. Guildford is home to one of the county's leading science parks owned by the University of Surrey. The Surrey Research Park is known for its work in bio-technology, pharmaceuticals and information technology. Leith Hill owned and maintained by the National Trust, is the highest point in south-east England and is crowned by an eighteenth century Gothic tower, built in 1765 by Richard Hull. There are excellent views in almost every direction, for those interested in aviation this is a plane spotters paradise as it is possible to look down upon departing aircraft rising slowly from Gatwick Airport. The Magna Carter was signed in 1215 by King John at Runnymede and a memorial commemorating the event can still be seen there today. Richmond park on the northern Surrey border is a 2,500 acre park where you can walk, cycle, fish, horse ride, bird and deer watch and even eat out.

There are 414 schools and at least 15 colleges and universities throughout Surrey and there is a very large number of independent schools in and around the county. Surrey is a particularly popular area and it is said that house prices are set to continue to be one of the country's highest, even compared with other home counties. This trend has continued over the long-term and seems unlikely to reverse. There are no fewer than 45 museums in Surrey, offering a tantalizing glimpse into different times and distant places. Shopping in and around Surrey. There are numerous pedestrianised town centres and dedicated indoor shopping complexes catering for all requirements from food shopping, designer clothing, to the quirky back street antique shop.

Cities, towns and villages within Surrey