Landscape is about the appearance of the land - the visual perception people have of the spaces around buildings and between settlements. Geology, landform, landuse and climate combine to determine the vegetation cover which, in turn, creates specific landscapes like heathland, woodland and agricultural land.

Surrey's landscape has developed from both natural forces and the influence of large herbivores, such as the earliest horses, as well as being affected by the actions of humans over thousands of years.

Although Surrey appears to be suburban, the County has considerable areas of open space and semi-natural vegetation. Surrey has many woodlands and areas of beautiful countryside, some designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Areas of Great Landscape Value.

Surrey has seven distinct regional character types: Thames Valley, Thames Basin Heaths, Thames Basin Lowlands, North Downs, Wealden Greensand, Low Weald and High Weald.

The integrity of the different landscape types may be threatened if their individuality is not appreciated.