About Surrey

Country: England
Region: South east
Established: 722 AD
Area: 1,663 km2 (642 square miles)
Population: 1,248,600
Largest settlement: Woking

Surrey is a county in South East England. It is bordered by Greater London to the north east, Kent to the east, East and West Sussex to the south and Hampshire and Berkshire to the west.

The name Surrey comes from the Old English words Suthrige or Sutherge which mean "southern region" or "southern kingdom," referring to its position as the area south of the River Thames inhabited by Saxon groups.

History:
First recorded around 722AD

Prehistoric Times:
Surrey's prehistoric past spans half a million years, from nomadic hunter-gatherers that left Palaeolithic hand axes in Wey Valley gravels to Iron Age hillforts like Hascombe and Holmbury that showed increasing settlement and agriculture with Neolithic and Bronze Age field systems at Bedfont and Nutfield. There is also evidence of early humans and mammoths found during archaeological digs. 

Roman Times:
During Roman times Surrey was developed with roads, villas, pottery industries, small towns, religious sites and ironworks. Which were all resources that were needed by Romans. This evolved the area from its Iron Age roots into a productive Roman landscape influenced by a rapidly growing Londinium. 

Anglo Saxon Times:
Anglo-Saxon Surrey was a contested frontier zone that was eventually absorbed by Wessex in 825, marked by early pagan burials, powerful monasteries, burh fortifications, place names like "Surrey," and King Alfred's influence, with lasting archaeological traces in burial mounds and church foundations. 

Norman Times:
During the Norman times the landscape was transformed with castles as there was a shift from timber to stone keeps. New towns were established with markets. Agriculture was reorganised with open fields and the establishment of feudal farming systems. New industries like pottery were established. There was Significant cultural and economic development due to Surrey’s proximity to London. 

Tudor and Stuart Times:
Surrey was a key royal residence area for monarchs like Henry VIII, who built grand palaces, transforming former monasteries into opulent homes. This period saw great societal changes by religious upheaval (dissolution of monasteries, rise of Church of England), growth of landed gentry, and the use of Surrey's country estates by royalty and court.

Industrial Revolution Times:
Surrey's Industrial Revolution saw it transition from a primarily agricultural area to one with burgeoning industry, marked by new canals, improved roads, early steam railways, and growth in towns driven by factory production and new transport networks.

Victorian Times:
Surrey underwent immense change from a rural county into an area of growing towns and an appealing location for wealthy London businessmen. This period brought significant industrial, social, and technological changes to the county.

Modern Times:
Surrey is an affluent and highly sought after county, known for a distinctive blend of wealth, high quality of life, excellent transport links to London and extensive natural beauty. It maintains a unique balance of bustling urban centres and tranquil countryside.