In the heart of Surrey and situated only 28 miles from London, Woking sits within the London commuter belt. Residents enjoy speedy links to the capital, but this town has far more to offer than its practicality. The top-performing schools of the area shouldn’t be overlooked, not to mention the period properties and vibrant shopping district.
Despite its popularity today, Woking had humble beginnings as a rural outpost between London and Southampton. Rather than attracting commuters, it was most famously a resting place for London’s deceased. The spectacular Brookwood Cemetery provides an insight into this gloomy past. Thankfully, that history brought about new development as newcomers discovered the area’s scenic beauty and character.
Large pockets of greenery remain intact, and residents can still make use of the parks, or take a leisurely stroll along the 32-mile Basingstoke Canal. Many also stop to admire Horsell Common, made famous by the alien landing in War of the Worlds – written by Woking’s most famous former resident, HG Wells.
After exploring the other worldly attractions, visitors are drawn to the modern luxuries at Woking’s shopping complexes, Wolsey Place and The Peacocks Centre. After major regeneration, both have been brought together in a picturesque town square. It’s a space filled with high street retailers, chic eateries and stylish boutiques.
Finally, the cultural atmosphere keeps both young and old entertained. Whether it’s admiring an exhibition in The Lightbox arts centre or watching a blockbuster at the Ambassadors cinema, there’s something to suit all.
Transportation in Woking
Woking sits in the London commuter belt with excellent transport links to the capital, as well as other hubs across the south and south-east.
At Woking station, mainline trains depart every few minutes to London Waterloo, with a journey time of 28 minutes. Other frequent services include a fast train to Portsmouth Harbour and a twice-hourly RailAir bus service linking to Heathrow Airport in approximately 50 minutes.
The town centre is also conveniently placed for those travelling or commuting by car. A short 10-minute drive to both the M25 and M3 provides quick access to central London and other major cities. Heathrow can be reached in 27 minutes and Gatwick Airport takes under 40 minutes, both via the M25.
Things to Do in Woking
There are heaps of things to do and see in Woking. From its modern shopping complexes to family-friendly attractions and outdoor pursuits, here are some of the highlights:
- Lightwater Country Park
- The Lightbox
- Mizens Railway
- RHS Garden Wisley
- Big Apple Woking
- Wolsey Place
- The Basingstoke Canal
- Brookwood Cemetery
- Ambassadors Cinema
- Woking Park
- New Victoria Theatre
- Pirate Island Adventure Gold
- Woking Pool in the Park
What is Woking Like?
Nestled just outside of London on the edge of Surrey, Woking offers the best in London commuter belt living: green spaces, good schools and reasonable prices balanced with excellent transport links to London.
Just 28 miles from London, you can be in the heart of the capital in as little as 26 minutes. Despite being so close to the city, you can spend your downtime wandering along picturesque locales such as Basingstoke Canal, Horsell Common (where HG Wells’ aliens landed in War of the Worlds), or touring historical ruins such as Woking Palace or Newark Priory.
There’s more to Woking than greenery and ruins, though. The town centre is well served by the usual high street outlets, and shopping centres such as Victoria Place. There’s also plenty of independent shops and eateries to pursue and explore.
And with its excellent choice of schools, parents can enjoy the opportunities for both work and leisure in London while enjoying a family life right on their doorstep.
Transport Links
Sitting within London’s commuter belt means you’ll enjoy excellent transport links from Woking however you choose to travel.
Woking railway station is particularly well-connected, putting you in reach of London Waterloo in as little as 26 minutes, as well as popular seaside destinations like Bournemouth and Weymouth in less than 80 minutes. There are also direct services that will take you to destinations such as Salisbury, Guildford, and Winchester.
A RailAir bus service also operates from the railway station that can take you to Heathrow Airport in as little as 50 minutes.
Woking is close to the M25, M3, and A3, putting huge swathes of London on your doorstep and putting you less than an hour from Reading, 20 minutes from Guildford, or, for the thrill-seekers, 20 minutes from Thorpe Park! For those looking to travel further afield, the two major London airports are within easy reach; you’re less than 30 minutes from Heathrow and 40 minutes from Gatwick.
Residents of Woking are well served by a comprehensive network of bus routes run by operators such as Stagecoach and Metrobus that cover the county but also reach as far as Guildford. If you want to get somewhere without a car, there’s a bus that will get you there.
Schools in the Area
For parents whose children are taking their first steps into formal education, St Dunstan’s Catholic Primary School is an excellent choice. Enjoying an ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted, it regularly outperformed the national average for the Key Stage 2 SATs, and Ofsted have noted that there is “considerable expertise” within the school.
Parents of children 11+ will be impressed by Hoe Valley School, which was founded in 2015 by local of parents and residents and has since achieved an ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted. The purpose-built campus is outfitted with cutting-edge facilities including fully-equipped science labs, comprehensive IT resources throughout the building, a modern music and drama suite, and dedicated use of Woking Sportsbox during school hours.
Students will be well-served by Woking College, one of the top-performing Sixth Form Colleges in the country. The college boasts pass rates of 99% at A-level and 100% at BTEC, offers its students the benefit of specialist Sixth Form expertise, and continually improves the facilities: new additions include a new multi-million pound Sports Centre, an Art Block, a state-of-the-art Science Building and a 3G pitch.
Attractions in Woking
Welcoming around one million visitors a year, RHS Wisley is the flagship garden of the Royal Horticultural Society. First established in 1878 as an ‘Oakwood experimentation garden’, the grounds have grown to 240 acres that serve one ideal: inspirational gardening.
History buffs will want to visit Woking Palace, which today is partially ruined but was once a manor house so splendid that it hosted a number of monarchs including Henry VII and Henry VIII, before falling into disrepair as Charles II ascended to the throne.
If you’re looking to explore your creative side, visit the Lightbox. This museum and gallery houses three stunning galleries which host regularly rotating exhibitions, as well as a free interactive museum that explores Woking’s history. The Lightbox also hosts a series of regular lunchtime and evening talks on a variety of subjects, and even offers private tours of its exhibitions.
Situated in the very heart of Woking, the Living Planet Centre is the headquarters of the UK operations of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-UK), but it’s also a fantastic event centre that attracts visitors throughout the year.
Bars, Restaurants and Nightlife
Woking’s highest-rated dinner destination is Lebanese restaurant Beit Beirut, where you can enjoy authentic food from an extensive menu as well as music and belly dancers every weekend!
Woking is also home to Bacaro, an intimate Italian bar and restaurant in the very heart of Woking. With a specialism in fresh seafood, sharing dishes, and authentic Italian pasta and risotto dishes, Bacaro prides itself on offering a welcoming continental atmosphere.
Cellar Magnifique is perhaps the best bar in Woking, serving magnificent (of course) wine, as well as superb coffee and artisan foods. If that weren’t enough, you can also enjoy regular live music acts, such as the jazz residency by Hajar J Woodland in summer 2022.
Entirely renovated in 2015, the Bird in Hand is a superbly rustic, dog-friendly, independent pub on the edge of Woking. From the warm fire in winter to the beautiful garden in summer, not to mention the excellent choice of food and drink, this is an excellent place to get a drink.
For a night out, consider the New Victoria Theatre, which has swiftly established itself as one of the foremost theatres in the South East since it opened in 1992. Its state-of-the-art facilities have hosted the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, and the Peter Hall Company. You’ll also find comedy shows, tribute acts, and children’s theatre on offer, so there’s something for everyone at the New Victoria Theatre.
Leisure Centres and Outdoor Activities
Woking Leisure Centre offers plenty of ways to get your heartrate up, from a well-equipped gym (with the latest Technogym cardio and resistance machines, treadmills, bikes, cross trainers and rowers) to a huge range of classes including yoga, Zumba, and indoor cycling in the three fitness studios. There’s also a sports hall with 10 badminton courts, 5 squash courts, and four 3g football pitches.
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a circus performer? Learn to juggle, hula hoop, fly on aerial silks, or even the trapeze with CirqueScape. A circus arts studio, it offers workshops, drop-in classes, parties and private tuition.
If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, you can’t beat a round of golf at a course that’s been a feature of Woking since 1893. Woking Golf Club offers a 21-hole course which has been rated as the 16th best in England in the Golf World Top 100 rankings.
If you’re looking to get out without joining a club, a gym, or hoisting yourself onto a trapeze, the 26km-long network of off-road cycle trails will take you all around Woking, both to central locations like the railway station as well as along the picturesque Basingstoke Canal. For those looking to get out on two feet, why not follow in the footsteps of HG Wells along the heritage trail?