Living in Redhill

Redhill, a vibrant town nestled within the borough of Reigate and Banstead in Surrey, offers an exceptional balance of urban amenities and countryside charm. Strategically positioned at the junction of the north-south A23 London to Brighton road and the east-west A25 Guildford to Sevenoaks road, Redhill serves as a key transport hub with excellent rail connections to London, Brighton and Gatwick Airport. This comprehensive guide provides essential information for those considering making Redhill their home.
 

About Redhill

Redhill is a relatively young town by English standards, beginning as a settlement known as "Warwick Town" in 1818 following the construction of a new turnpike road. The name "Redhill" was officially adopted in 1856, with the arrival of the railway around 1840 serving as the catalyst for its rapid growth. The town derives its name from the distinctive red clay found in the area, which historically supported industries including brick, tile and ironworks production.

The town also holds a unique place in scientific history. Richard Carrington, an amateur astronomer, established an observatory in Redhill in 1852 where he made groundbreaking astronomical observations, including the first corroboration of solar flares and their electrical influence on Earth. The local street "Dome Way" commemorates his observatory.

Today, Redhill functions as the commercial and entertainment hub for several adjoining communities, including Merstham, Earlswood and Whitebushes, as well as the rural villages of Bletchingley and Nutfield to the east. Its position at the foot of the North Downs provides a gateway to the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering residents immediate access to breathtaking landscapes while maintaining excellent urban amenities.

The town has undergone significant regeneration in recent years, with substantial investment in the town centre and ongoing plans for future redevelopment. This commitment to modernisation ensures a forward-looking community that successfully integrates its historic market town character with contemporary architecture and facilities.

Property Market in Redhill

Redhill's property market presents a range of opportunities for prospective buyers and renters, with options ranging from modern apartments to characterful period properties.

Current Property Landscape

Redhill's housing stock encompasses detached, semi-detached and terraced houses alongside a significant number of flats. The town centre features Renaissance Freestyle buildings from around 1899, characterised by tall red brick structures with mullion and transom dressings and terracotta detailing. Properties from the Victorian and Edwardian eras are common throughout the area, with "mock-Tudor" styles adding to the architectural diversity since the 1950s.

Popular Residential Areas

The wider Redhill area offers a range of residential environments:

Town Centre: Ideal for individuals or couples prioritising convenience, primarily comprising apartments and smaller homes with immediate access to amenities.

Merstham: Located just north of Redhill, offering a quieter suburban atmosphere popular with families.

Reigate: Neighbouring Redhill to the west, known for its historic charm and commanding higher property prices than Redhill.

Nutfield: A peaceful village to the east with larger homes and gardens, providing a tranquil rural living experience.

St John's: A picturesque enclave south of Redhill Common, known for its period cottages and community focus.

Royal Earlswood Park: Features spacious flats within converted historic hospital buildings alongside newly constructed townhouses.

Crosslands Road: Recognised for its collection of large Edwardian houses.

The Moors: Features a large new housing development, representing modern residential growth within Redhill.

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The Best of Redhill: Things to Do

Redhill offers residents a perfect balance between urban amenities and countryside pursuits. The town's strategic location provides immediate access to both vibrant town life and tranquil natural landscapes, ensuring a range of leisure activities for all ages and interests.

Parks & Green Spaces

Redhill boasts an impressive array of parks and green spaces, providing residents with ample opportunities for relaxation, recreation and connecting with nature.

Redhill Memorial Park

A central community asset featuring a café pavilion with outdoor seating, playground, sports zone, tennis court, multi-use games area, trim trail for fitness and a sensory garden.

Redhill Common

This Green Flag award-winning space spans 7 hectares, encompassing a range of habitats including heathland, grassland, scrub and woodland. It supports various wildlife and offers guided walks throughout the year, maintained by the Redhill Common Conservation Group.

Reigate Hill and Gatton Park

Located a short distance from Redhill, this area offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Surrey countryside with beautifully landscaped gardens, serene lakes and extensive walking trails. It forms part of the North Downs Way, a long-distance walking trail.

Merstham Recreation Ground

Recently revamped with a £3 million investment, this park now includes a new café, modern playground, community orchard, pavilion, parkour course, outdoor gym and picnic area, demonstrating a strong commitment to community facilities.

Earlswood Common

An expansive open area featuring two lakes, the lower of which dates back to the 14th century. This lake is popular for fishing and supports a population of wild fowl.

Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Redhill is strategically located at the gateway to the Surrey Hills AONB, offering residents direct access to varied wooded landscapes ideal for walking, cycling, horse riding and nature appreciation.

Local Attractions & Cultural Highlights

Redhill and its immediate vicinity are home to a variety of attractions and landmarks that cater to wide interests, from historical exploration to modern entertainment.
 

Redhill Clock Tower

This iconic Victorian-era landmark, built in 1874, commemorates Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee and serves as a prominent focal point within the town.
 

Reigate Caves

A secretive network of caves beneath the grounds of Reigate Castle, offering guided tours that provide a unique glimpse into the area's past.
 

Royal Earlswood Park

Once the site of the Royal Earlswood Hospital, a significant Victorian psychiatric hospital that operated from 1856 to 1997. It was notably home to two of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's cousins.
 

The Light Redhill

A modern leisure venue offering cinema screenings, bowling, adventure climbing, interactive darts, mini golf and axe throwing.
 

Redhill Aerodrome

Popular with aviation enthusiasts, the aerodrome offers flying lessons and aircraft maintenance services, along with a café where visitors can watch planes take off and land.

Holmesdale Natural History Club and Museum

Houses fascinating exhibits on the local natural history and geology of the area, offering educational and cultural insights.

Cultural Events

While The Harlequin Theatre & Cinema is currently closed for rebuilding, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council has demonstrated a strong commitment to cultural activities, with £10 million allocated for rebuilding and alternative venues being explored. The annual Reigate & Redhill Festival of Music and Drama takes place over two weeks every May, providing a platform for amateur performers in music and drama.

Schools and Education

Redhill and its surrounding areas offer a comprehensive range of educational opportunities, from early years provisions to further education, including specialised support for children with special educational needs.

Primary Schools

The area is home to several highly-regarded primary schools with excellent Ofsted ratings, including:

• Reigate Priory Community Junior School (Outstanding)
• Lime Tree Primary School (Outstanding)
• Earlswood Infant and Nursery School (Good)
• Nutfield Church CofE Primary School (Good)
• Hatchlands Primary (Good)

Secondary Schools

Redhill boasts a strong secondary education landscape, with several schools achieving impressive academic results:

St Bede's School: Rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted, with 90% of pupils achieving Grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSE. Strong university pathways with 37% of students progressing to Russell Group universities.

Carrington School: Rated "Good", with 62% of pupils achieving Grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSE, known for strong pastoral care.

Merstham Park School: Rated "Good", emphasising inclusivity, collaboration and student well-being.

Reigate School: Rated "Good" with "Outstanding" for Quality of Education and Behaviour and  76% of pupils achieving Grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSE.

Private School Options

For families considering independent education, options include:

Dunottar School: An independent co-educational day school for students aged 11 to 18, conveniently located a 20-minute walk from Redhill train station.

The Hawthorns School: An independent school option in nearby Bletchingley.

Reigate Grammar School: A well-known co-educational independent school.

Moon Hall School: Specialising in supporting students with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties.

Further Education

East Surrey College provides vocational qualifications and higher education courses, including Foundation Degrees in fields such as Early Years, Management, Web Technologies and Development. The proximity to established universities like Surrey and Brighton expands academic opportunities for residents.

Special Educational Needs Provisions

Surrey County Council offers a well-structured system for SEND support, including:

Specialist Centres at Mainstream Schools: St Matthews Church of England Primary (Autism Spectrum Condition) and Furzefield Primary (Learning and Additional Needs).

Maintained Special Schools: Woodfield School and Brooklands School provide dedicated environments for children with more complex needs.

Alternative Learning Provision: Various options for children who cannot attend traditional school settings.

Early Years Education

Redhill offers a strong selection of nurseries and early years providers, including:

Redhill Royal Earlswood Day Nursery: Featuring daily Forest School sessions and the Bright Beginnings Curriculum.

Kiddi Caru Redhill: Following the Early Years Foundation Stage with a "Good" Ofsted rating and Eco School Accreditation.

Several other options including Pippa's House Nursery, Tiddly Winks Nursery and Cygnets Childcare.

Dining in Redhill

Redhill offers a culinary scene, catering to various tastes and preferences, with options ranging from high-end restaurants to casual dining and traditional British pubs.

High-End Restaurants

While Redhill itself features a few notable establishments, the immediate vicinity, particularly neighbouring Reigate, significantly expands the choice of high-quality dining experiences:

Cloisters Restaurant at Nutfield Priory: Offers Modern European cuisine within the impressive setting of a gothic priory.

Trishala: Serves exceptional Indian cuisine with an "Exceptional" rating of 4.6.

Nisou Reigate: A Greek restaurant holding an "Exceptional" rating of 4.9.

Lebnani Restaurant: Offers Lebanese cuisine with an "Exceptional" rating of 4.8.

Buenos Aires Argentine Steakhouse: Specialises in Argentinian cuisine with an "Exceptional" rating of 4.6.

Saffron Summer: Known for its Haute Indian Cuisine with a modern twist.

Casual Dining Spots

Redhill provides a solid selection of casual dining options for everyday meals:

Storia: A stylish Italian restaurant offering popular Italian cuisine.

The Junction: Houses a Thai restaurant upstairs, providing a unique culinary offering within a pub setting.

The Venture Inn: Situated between Redhill and Reigate, known for its fantastic food offerings.

Marquis of Granby: Offers a great selection of Madeiran food, including exceptional beef espetadas.

Bill's Reigate Restaurant: Offers British cuisine within a short distance of Redhill.

Cullenders Parkside: A family-run restaurant praised for serving "simply great food".
 

Traditional British Pubs

Redhill and its immediate surroundings offer a selection of traditional British pubs, each with its own distinct character:

The White Lion: The oldest public house in Redhill, with a history dating back to the 16th century.

The Red Lion: The second oldest pub in Redhill, originating from 1750, characterised by ancient beams and crooked floors.

The Garibaldi: A community-owned pub known for its good selection of drinks and pleasant atmosphere.

The Hatch Public House: Noted for offering one of the best beer selections in the area.

Inn on the Pond: Located in Nutfield, described as a "quintessential English pub" featuring an open log fire and views over the Nutfield marshes.

Cafés and Street Food

Redhill's café scene and vibrant market provide refreshment options and international flavours:

Muffin Break: Serves espresso coffee alongside a wide selection of muffins, scones and savoury snacks.

Costa Coffee: Offers Italian-style coffee, snacks and cakes at branches on Station Road and in The Belfry.

Redhill High Street Market: Operating Thursday, Friday and Saturday, featuring food stalls providing fresh produce and a range of street food options, including Thai, Indian, Asian, Slovakian and Caribbean cuisine.

Unique Food Experiences

The Salt Box: A woodland cookery school offering immersive experiences focused on seasonal food and open-fire cookery, including fire cookery courses, wild game butchery workshops and foraging walks.

Transport and Connectivity

Redhill's strategic location and robust transport network are fundamental to its appeal, particularly for commuters and those seeking convenient travel options.
 

Rail Services

Redhill Railway Station is a major interchange point on the Brighton Main Line, serving as a critical hub for train services managed by Southern and also hosting services operated by Thameslink and Great Western Railway to London Victoria, London Bridge, Gatwick Airport & Brighton.

The station features four platforms interconnected by a subway equipped with lifts, ensuring accessibility and is conveniently located opposite Redhill bus station.

Bus Routes

Redhill benefits from an extensive network of bus routes primarily operated by Metrobus and Arriva London South:

• Service 100: Connects Redhill to Gatwick Airport, Crawley and Maidenbower.
• Service 400: Links Caterham, Redhill, East Surrey Hospital and East Grinstead.
• Service 405: Provides connections from Redhill to Croydon.
• Service 430/435: Connects Merstham, Redhill, East Surrey Hospital and Reigate.

Multiple other routes serving the wider area and connecting to key facilities.

Road Networks

Redhill is exceptionally well-connected by major road networks:

• Motorways: Direct access to the M23 motorway connecting to Gatwick Airport and the South Coast. 
• A-Roads: Situated at the junction of the A23 (London to Brighton) and A25 (Guildford to Sevenoaks), with access to the A217 and A240.

Airport Links

Redhill's proximity to major international airports is a significant advantage:

• Gatwick Airport: Located just 6 miles south connected by train services, bus and road options.
• London City Airport: Accessible via train and London transport connections.

Cycling and Walking

Surrey County Council is committed to developing cycling infrastructure with various facilities:

• Cycle Tracks: Dedicated spaces for cycling alongside roads.
• Greenways: Entirely separate from roads, often utilising bridleways or byways.
• Quiet Streets and Lanes: Areas with low traffic volume and speeds.

For pedestrians, Redhill offers:

• Slow Ways Network: Connecting Redhill to neighbouring areas with seven established walking routes.
• Pedestrianised High Street: Creating a pleasant and safe environment for shopping.
• Extensive walking routes through local green spaces and the North Downs Way.

Parking Facilities

Redhill provides various parking options:

• Council Car Parks: Including Gloucester Road (285 spaces), Clarendon Road (191 spaces) and Linkfield Corner (56 spaces).
• Redhill Station Car Park: 358 spaces with disabled spaces, electric car charging and flexible ticket options.
• The Belfry Shopping Centre: 780-space multi-storey car park with free electric charging and disabled access.

 

Golf Courses in Redhill

Golf enthusiasts residing in Redhill benefit from access to several high-quality courses within easy reach of the town. The undulating terrain of the Surrey Hills provides an ideal landscape for challenging and picturesque golfing experiences.

Reigate Hill Golf Club

Located in Merstham, this 18-hole course offers beautiful views across the North Downs. The course features well-maintained fairways and greens, with a combination of challenging par 4s and strategically placed bunkers. The clubhouse provides comprehensive facilities including a pro shop, restaurant and function rooms for events.

Bletchingley Golf Club

Situated in Bletchingley, this established 18-hole course is set within mature parkland. The course design incorporates natural water features and woodland, creating a testing but enjoyable experience for golfers of all abilities. Membership options include full, 5-day and flexible packages, with a welcoming attitude toward visitors.

Walton Heath Golf Club

One of the more prestigious options in the vicinity, Walton Heath offers two championship courses - the Old and the New. With a rich history of hosting major tournaments including the Ryder Cup and European Open, these heathland courses are renowned for their challenging nature and exceptional condition throughout the year. The traditional clubhouse enhances the classic golfing experience.

Surrey National Golf Club

Set in the idyllic countryside near Caterham, this modern course features dramatic elevation changes and strategically placed water hazards. The parkland course is complemented by excellent practice facilities and a contemporary clubhouse with panoramic views across the course.

Redhill & Reigate Golf Club

A welcoming 9-hole course ideal for those seeking a quicker round or beginners looking to develop their skills. Despite its compact nature, the course offers interesting challenges with well-placed hazards and varying hole lengths. The club maintains a friendly atmosphere with affordable membership options.

Shopping in Redhill

Redhill offers a comprehensive shopping experience, combining modern retail centres with traditional high street charm and vibrant local markets.

The Belfry Shopping Centre

This central retail hub features over 50 stores including high street brands, fashion outlets, shoe shops, beauty retailers, toy stores, bookshops and homeware. The centre also houses popular cafés and actively engages with the community by hosting events throughout the year. It provides a 780-space multi-storey car park.

Redhill High Street

This tree-lined, pedestrianised area offers a pleasant shopping environment with a mix of independent and national retailers. The high street serves as the primary location for Redhill Market, adding to its vibrant atmosphere.

Redhill Market

An integral part of Redhill's shopping scene, this open-air market operates on Redhill High Street every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. It offers fresh produce, flowers, clothes, mobile accessories, kitchenware and menswear, alongside food stalls ranging from Thai and Indian to Caribbean cuisine.

Warwick Quadrant Shopping Mall

Another notable shopping facility contributing to the overall retail landscape of Redhill, complementing The Belfry and high street offerings.
 

Conclusion and Why Choose Redhill

Redhill presents a compelling proposition for prospective residents, combining exceptional connectivity with abundant green spaces and a forward-thinking community approach. The town's strategic location at the gateway to the Surrey Hills provides an ideal balance between urban convenience and countryside tranquility, creating a versatile living environment suited to a range of lifestyles.

The town's commitment to regeneration and modernisation is evident through completed projects like Marketfield Way and ongoing developments, ensuring Redhill continues to evolve while maintaining its distinctive character. The community benefits from extensive leisure options, including numerous parks and green spaces, dining experiences and modern entertainment facilities like The Light Redhill.

Redhill successfully combines the advantages of a well-connected urban centre with immediate access to outstanding natural landscapes, creating a balanced lifestyle opportunity. Whether seeking efficient commuter links, family-friendly amenities, outdoor recreational opportunities or a strong sense of community, Redhill delivers a comprehensive and attractive package for contemporary living.

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The information on this page was last updated in June 2025.