The smaller settlement of Holmwood Corner is half within the district, but the part beyond Betchett's Brook is considered to be in Beare Green, which is also convenient to the railway station, see Transport.

A pavement on the opposite side of the dual carriageway feeds into a footpath that runs by the Anglican parish church[2] so similarly connecting South Holmwood's main cluster of residential streets.

[4] Dispersed farmsteads that replaced those of medieval origin work the near western and far eastern fields beyond the common.

[5] South Holmwood (as it is known today) only became a significant settlement in the 19th century, when the turnpike road was built from Epsom to Brighton via Worthing.

The village prospered from the increased traffic and from the presence of large country houses such as Anstie Grange and Holmwood Park.

The main residential area of the village is overlooked by the Grade II-listed parish church of St Mary Magdalene, built in 1838 and designed by John Burges Watson.

[7] A disused section of the Roman road Stane Street passes to the west of the village, where there is one of the few changes in its alignment.

One other principal local road runs due east across Holmwood Common, passing the disused cricket grounds, large forest homes and a car park.

Further east, a road runs north and south, giving access to some of the village's small farms.