The neighbouring districts are Wealden, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe, and Hastings.

[8] The whole district is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.

[9] The council has been under no overall control since the 2019 election, being led by a coalition called the 'Rother Alliance' comprising Labour, Liberal Democrats, Greens and some of the independent councillors.

The building continued to serve as the seat of local government following the reorganisation in 1974 which created Rother District.

Climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year round.

[24] Rother has one of the oldest populations (with a median age of 52 years)[26] and the lowest per capita income[27] in the UK.

Long-distance footpaths include the Sussex Border Path; and the Saxon Shore Way, which links with the 1066 Country Walk.