The district had its origins in the Godstone
Poor Law Union, which had been created in 1835, covering Godstone itself and several surrounding parishes. A workhouse was built on Church Lane in
Bletchingley to serve the union, opening in 1839. In 1872
sanitary districts were established, giving public health and local government responsibilities for rural areas to the existing
boards of guardians of poor law unions. As there were no urban authorities within the Godstone Poor Law Union, the Godstone Rural Sanitary District covered the same area as the poor law union. Under the
Local Government Act 1894, rural sanitary districts became rural districts from 28 December 1894. The Godstone Rural District Council held its first meeting on 28 December 1894 at the Clayton Arms (later renamed the White Hart) at 71 High Street, Godstone, which had been the meeting place of the board of guardians.
Henry Albert Barclay of Underhill in Bletchingley was appointed the first chairman of the council. He was a major in the army and his father was chairman of
Barclays Bank. In 1899 the parish of
Caterham was removed from Godstone Rural District to become an
urban district.
Warlingham was added to the Caterham Urban District in 1929, when it was renamed
Caterham and Warlingham Urban District.
Woldingham was subsequently transferred to the Caterham and Warlingham Urban District in 1933. ==Parishes==