The district contains parts of the North Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Weald.

[4][5] From the seventeenth century onwards, hundreds gradually declined in importance as administrative divisions, with their functions passing to other bodies such as the county courts.

The vast majority of the district is covered by the Metropolitan Green Belt to prevent extension of the London urban area.

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

It has been led since 2021 by a minority administration comprising local party the Oxted and Limpsfield Residents Group (OLRG) and some of the independent councillors.

[27] The Royal Mail classes Caterham, Godstone, Lingfield, Oxted, Warlingham, and Whytleafe as post towns.

All other settlements/neighbourhoods with their own Anglican church or chapel and therefore traditionally in England defined as "a village" are marked with an asterisk.