[1] Botley Hill was a main surveying point for the Anglo-French Survey (1784–1790) which sought to precisely measure the relative positions of the Royal Greenwich Observatory and the Paris Observatory.

By coincidence Botley Hill lies due south of the Greenwich Observatory, as the Prime Meridian of the world passes over the top of the hill, just to the west of the summit.

However, the 1965 1" Ordnance Survey map shows a spot height of 882 feet at the site of the present water tower.

[3] To the south is Oxted, which is the nearest railway station.

It can be seen from the highest points in Croydon, skyscrapers in London, and for example from Alexandra Palace, Stanmore Hill, Primrose Hill, Highgate and Hampstead on the opposite side of the Thames Basin.