Surrey is perhaps best known today for its picturesque villages, rolling countryside, historic towns and easy access to London. Yet Surrey’s rich history stretches back thousands of years, with the county shaped by everything from Roman roads and Saxon kingdoms to medieval castles, royal connections and the arrival of the railway. Beneath its leafy lanes and attractive market towns lies a fascinating story of continuous change, with each period leaving its mark on the landscape. Surrey has evolved considerably over the centuries while retaining much of the character and heritage that make it such a desirable place to live today.
Ancient Surrey and the Roman Era
The Romans arrived in Britain in AD 43 and one of the road routes they built was Stane Street, which connects London to Chichester, passing directly through Surrey. Parts of this route survive in today’s road network, including sections broadly followed by the A3 and A24.
Roman settlement sites developed in various parts of Surrey, including near Wanborough and Farley Heath. In fact, the latter was the site of one of the largest Roman settlements in Surrey. Although much of the Roman infrastructure has disappeared beneath the modern landscape, the roads they established helped shape the development of Surrey for centuries to come.
The Saxons and the Birth of ‘Surrey’
Following the decline of Roman rule, Anglo-Saxon communities became established across the region during the fifth and sixth centuries. Many familiar Surrey place names also have Anglo-Saxon origins, including Woking and Godalming.
Surrey’s location helped shape its development. Its position inland also offered some protection from Viking raids, although Surrey was not entirely removed from the conflicts of that time frame. In 892, an invading Viking army was defeated at Farnham by the forces of Edward the Elder.
One of the county’s most intriguing royal connections dates from this period. Kingston upon Thames was an important royal centre and was associated with the coronation of several Anglo-Saxon kings. The famous Coronation Stone remains on Kingston’s High Street today.
The Norman Conquest and Medieval Surrey
The Norman Conquest of 1066 brought significant changes to Surrey, as it did to the rest of England.
William the Conqueror redistributed land among his supporters, and William de Warenne was granted the title Earl of Surrey. The Normans also strengthened their control of the area through castles, including important fortifications at Guildford and Farnham.
The medieval period left Surrey with some of the most recognisable landmarks from Surrey’s rich history. Churches, manor houses and castles were established across the county, while towns such as Guildford developed as important centres for trade and administration.
Surrey also found itself at the centre of one of the most significant events in English constitutional history…
Runnymede and Magna Carta
In 1215, Runnymede, beside the River Thames, became the setting for the sealing of Magna Carta by King John.
The document would become one of the most famous symbols of the development of English law and political liberty. Today, Runnymede remains one of Surrey’s most important historic sites and a reminder of the county’s role in events that shaped the wider nation.
Surrey’s Royal Connections
Surrey has maintained strong links with the monarchy throughout its history.
Its attractive countryside and proximity to London made it a popular location for royal residences, hunting grounds and country estates. Over the centuries, kings and queens visited and lived in various parts of the county, leaving their mark on its buildings and landscapes.
The county’s historic houses and estates are another lasting legacy of this period. Some developed into grand country houses surrounded by landscaped gardens and parkland – landscapes that remain an important part of Surrey’s identity today. In fact, our Prime division currently have The Manor House listed for sale; a property on the grounds once owned by Henry VIII, in the renowned Burwood Park Estate in Walton-on-Thames
Surrey in the 18th and 19th Centuries
By the Georgian and Victorian periods, Surrey was beginning to change rapidly.
Its proximity to London made the county increasingly attractive to wealthy families looking for larger homes, gardens and access to the countryside without being too far from the capital. Grand houses and landscaped gardens became defining features of the Surrey landscape.
The development of roads and, particularly, the railways transformed the county further.
New railway lines connected Surrey’s towns and villages with London, making commuting increasingly practical. Places such as Woking, Guildford and other communities along the railway network began to grow, setting the foundations for the modern Surrey commuter belt.
This period also saw the emergence of many of the architectural styles that remain familiar today, from elegant Georgian houses to Victorian villas and terraces.
Surrey During the 20th Century
The 20th century brought enormous social and economic change.
The growth of London and the expansion of the railway and road networks encouraged more people to make their homes in Surrey while working in the capital. Towns expanded, new residential neighbourhoods were developed and areas became increasingly connected. Yet Surrey still retained much of its countryside.
The Surrey Hills, North Downs, commons, woodland and farmland provided a green setting that distinguished the county from the increasingly urbanised areas around it. This combination of accessibility and countryside helped establish Surrey’s reputation as one of the most desirable areas for people seeking a home within reach of London.
Surrey Today
Today’s Surrey is a fascinating mixture of old and new. Historic market towns sit alongside modern developments. Medieval churches and traditional village greens coexist with contemporary homes, while centuries old country estates are surrounded by thriving communities.
Places such as Guildford, Woking, Farnham, Reigate, Godalming, Dorking and Esher each have their own distinct identities, but share a common connection to Surrey’s rich history. The landscape remains equally important. Surrey is home to extensive areas of woodland, farmland and protected countryside, while the Surrey Hills form part of the county’s distinctive character.
Perhaps what makes Surrey so appealing is the way its history remains visible in everyday life. A walk through an old village can reveal a medieval church or timber framed building. A journey along a modern road may follow the route of a Roman highway, and a grand country house may well tell the story of centuries of landownership.
Surrey has changed enormously over the centuries, but it has never completely lost its connection to its past. For today’s residents, that creates a unique sense of place: a county where history, countryside and modern life exist side by side.
It is this combination that continues to make Surrey such a distinctive and desirable place to call home.
