Seale covers most of the civil parish of Seale and Sands and the steep slope and foot of the south side of the Hog's Back (mid-western section of the North Downs between Farnham and Guildford) as well as a large hill which exceeds it – as such is part of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

[2] At the top of a short dry valley, at the foot of the steep Hog's Back, is the parish church of St Laurence, Seale.

As late as 1899, Henry Chester objected to being asked to give up his pew in Seale Church when a new plan was circulated by the churchwardens.

In the 19th century, it passed through a female line into the hands of a branch of the Howard family of the Dukes of Norfolk (and Earls of Surrey) who took up residence and enlarged their estate by acquisition until it became, from about 1918, the largest landholding in the parish of Seale.

[citation needed] The village hall, near the old school, is a venue for regular events and hosts parish council meetings.

The first five holes start in parkland after which there is a sudden change in scenery as the pine trees close in and the heather replaces the grass.

This was originally an open hall house as shown by blackened rafters and the oldest parts of the fabric have been dated to the early 1500s.

[10] Adjacent to the church are 17th and 18th century joined buildings, known as Manor Farm, converted into craft shops and a tea room.

[14] Most of the non-forested, agricultural land in Seale is appurtenant to (attached to or let by the owners of) Hampton Lodge, a Grade II listed Regency period mansion of c.1810.

When James died in 1884, most of his plant collection was brought to Littleworth Cross and Harry continued hybridising and exhibiting rhododendrons, with the help of his sister Clara.

The meeting was important for both Lutyens and Jekyll: she discovered someone with a similar love of the vernacular architecture of south-west Surrey, who would design her new home, Munstead Wood (qv), and through her, he was introduced to many potential clients.