The parishes were known as 'Hungry Hatley' by 1218, possibly because the clay soil could not be cultivated effectively until mechanisation in the 20th century.

[2] Hatley Parish Council comprises five elected members (a chairman, vice-chairman and three others) and a clerk.

The yard at Church Farm, owned by the estate, has been converted to small business units.

It has a small shop and post office,[14] (subsidised by the estate)[13] a playing field, playground and cricket club.

It is presumed that the hamlet's name is derived from that of the St George family, who were the principal landowners from the 13th century to 1658.

[17] Around one-third of the parish is occupied by Hatley Park, an area of private landscaped parkland south of the road,[15] formerly owned by Sir John Astor MBE.

[18] At the time of the 2001 census, the population of Hatley parish was 205 people living in 77 households.

[12] Hatley has a high rate of in-migration and commuting, and retains economically strong farming activities.

There was formerly a Thoroughbred stud farm in Hatley Park, employing 15 people, but it is now a livery yard staffed by two for most of the year.

Seven Hatley St George residents were employed on the estate in 2007; a number of people work for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, whose headquarters is nearby at Sandy, Bedfordshire.

[22] There are remnants of ancient woodland: Buff Wood, south-west of East Hatley, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) owned by the estate and managed by the local Wildlife Trust,[25] and Hayley Wood, another SSSI,[26] borders the parish in the north.