Tandridge sits in east Surrey, immediately south of Greater London, stretching from the chalk escarpment of the North Downs down into the open Weald. The district contains a mix of small towns and villages such as Oxted, Caterham, Whyteleafe and Godstone, and includes large tracts of protected countryside, with parts of the Surrey Hills AONB providing notable upland views and walking routes.
Historically the area is rural, with medieval churches, timber‑framed and Tudor buildings punctuating village streets, and military links around Caterham where the former Caterham Barracks influenced local growth. Local cultural life tends to centre on village halls, farmers’ markets, music and arts groups, and country pursuits, making it popular with walkers and cyclists who use the nearby trails.
Economically Tandridge blends commuter suburbs for central London with farming, small businesses and independent retail; many residents travel to the capital while local firms and farms underpin the rural economy. Planning, green‑belt protection and conservation are recurring local concerns, and the district is prized for its combination of accessible towns and attractive Surrey countryside.