Were it not for its long-held community ties with neighbouring proper villages Hydestile would be a village. The hamlet forms a ribbon development on all roads towards its crossroads. To the south-east is the steeper of two neighbouring outcrops of the Greensand Ridge. Elevations range from, 74m in the narrow wooded vale of the Shad Well spring that issues near the central crossroads of the hamlet and flows to the north, to 117m AOD less than a mile to the east. However, the road leading east, Salt Lane has a fork to access Hascombe but otherwise ascends further, it veers southeast after the Hydon's Ball promontory at 171m, past steep banks of woods (Hurt Wood and Breakneck Hill to the left side) to access Dunsfold village.