The people of Surrey are served by Surrey County Council and by nine Boroughs, each with a Mayor. They are Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Guildford, Reigate and Banstead, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley and Woking. There are two Districts, Mole Valley and Tandridge, each served by a Chairman. Farnham, Godalming, Haslemere and Horley also have Town Mayors.
Originally the County of Surrey extended right up to the River Thames at Southwark. Until 1900 the borders of Surrey and Kent met in the area, with Surrey Docks located on the south bank at Rotherhithe. Several subsequent variations occurred and the administrative county, within which the Surrey Lieutenancy operates, has now changed considerably. This means that a number of places in the north of the county bearing the address ‘Surrey’ are, in fact, no longer officially within the county: Croydon, Purley and Richmond are three examples. The only notable change on the southern boundary is that Gatwick airport is now located within West Sussex.
Please check the county boundaries if in doubt (click here).
If you discover that the place in question is located within a London Borough, then any invitation or query should be addressed to the Clerk to the Greater London Lieutenancy (click here).