It comprises around one quarter of the land area of the county and principally covers parts of the North Downs and Greensand Ridge.

[1][2] It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in May 1958[3] and was redesignated as a National Landscape in 2023.

It is part of the Greensand Ridge, which traverses the National Landscape from west to east, and is the second highest point in south-east England (Walbury Hill at 297 metres or 974 feet above sea level is the highest).

Chiddingfold Forest, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), lies within the area.

[4] The Surrey Hills area has three long-distance walks running through it: the North Downs Way, the Greensand Way and the Pilgrims' Way.