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East Grinstead lies in the middle of the Weald on a hill over 400 feet above sea level just to the north of the Forest Ridge, half-way between London and the south coast on the A22 and within a few miles of the M23 and M25. It has its own electrified rail link to London (London Bridge or Victoria, 30m.), via East Croydon. Gatwick Airport is 7m. W.N.W. and Newhaven harbour and the Sussex coast some 25m. S.

The town, part of the Mid Sussex District of West Sussex, was founded as a borough some 780 years ago. Its ancient heart remains unspoilt, ringed by modern housing and surrounded by farms, woodland and the great open space of Ashdown Forest.

East Grinstead is the shopping centre for its area and has a range of cultural activities and numerous sporting facilities. Every day over 7000 of its people travel to work in London or Croydon, many others to Crawley or Gatwick. But the town is by no means a dormitory, for most of its inhabitants, with some 6000 from outside, work within its boundaries. The usual service and distributive trades and the two comprehensive schools cater for the growing population within a radius of about seven miles. Many find employment connected with the famous hospital. Other opportunities are provided by the needs of the passing traffic (though holiday business is small), building, agriculture, market gardening and their ancillaries. There are many office blocks in use or awaiting takers and three light industrial estates. In 2001 it was reckoned the seventh most profitable town in England.

In the South East Planning Strategy East Grinstead is at the eastern end of the Crawley/Gatwick sub-region and will have some share in its controlled expansion but south and east of the town little change is expected. Future plans for the town include 2500 additional houses and traffic-flow improvements, with an eventual bypass not entirely ruled out. Inevitably precise predictions cannot be made but the town seems set for continued regulated growth which does not have to be at the expense of its heritage and identity though pressures for infill housing are strengthening.