Looking to move to a small town with city amenities? Then Woking may be a good option. Situated just 23 miles southwest of central London, and close to cities like Guildford, Woking, a dynamic town in Surrey, is known for its impressive transport connections, green spaces, and diverse property options.
Having already been declared one of the UK’s best places to live and work in the annual UK Vitality Index 2024, Woking offers a strong balance between suburban tranquility and urban convenience. So, it’s no wonder why it’s reached the top 3 yet again!
With excellent schools, abundant local amenities, great shopping and dining spots, strong transport connections to neighbouring towns and cities, as well as a variety of outdoor activities, Woking attracts professionals, families, and retirees seeking a more relaxed lifestyle, though with easy access to the capital without losing that city-esque feel.
Thinking of Moving to Woking?
Whether you’re looking for a commuter friendly location, a family-oriented community, or access to beautiful surrounding countryside, then Woking has something for everyone.
The town is home to a wide range of properties, from sleek modern apartments in the town centre to large, detached homes in quieter, suburban areas like Horsell and Knaphill.
There is a bustling creative scene here, with numerous art galleries like The Lightbox and the Arthouse Woking. As well as this, Woking is very famous for its significance and inspiration with the H.G. Wells novel War of The Worlds, which was written during his residency in Woking.
The area’s strong transport links to London, just 20 miles away, ease of access to other major towns, and easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow airports make it a desirable and convenient location for commuters, while its rich cultural scene, green spaces, and excellent local amenities make it appealing to residents of all ages.
Key Benefits of Living in Woking
Green Spaces and Outdoor Activities
Woking is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, a diverse range of parks and recreation grounds, perfect for those who love outdoor activities. And the best thing is all the facilities in a large number of these parks and grounds are free.
Nearby areas like Horsell Common, a 355-hectare nature reserve, and the scenic Basingstoke Canal, known as one of the most beautiful waterways in Britain, offer great walking trails and cycling opportunities. There’s a popular trail along the canal called the Saturn Trail, which is a 9 mile trail, offering some lovely leafy and picturesque scenery.
The Woking Park is a popular destination, offering sports facilities, a café, and a lake, making it an ideal spot for families and nature lovers. There is a jungle themed playground, including climbing frames, zip wire, swings, a sandpit, and more, perfect for the kids, located next to the Woking Leisure Centre.
For hiking enthusiasts, the nearby Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, covering over 4,000 hectares of woodlands, and stretching across a quarter of the county of Surrey offers stunning views and miles of walking and biking trails.
Local Amenities and Leisure in Woking
With an average population of roughly 103,900, Woking is a well equipped town with everything you could possibly need for everyday life.
The town centre boasts a variety of shops, supermarkets (including Waitrose, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s), and a bustling seven day a week market (Market Walk) offering local and international produce, from fresh fruit and vegetables, locally brewed ale, all the way to South African, Japanese and Korean dishes.
Head on over to Victoria Place Shopping Centre home to 150 shops. Whether you’re after gifts, a new phone, homeware, or to watch the latest movie, this place has it all. There are also many independent shops, cafes, and restaurants to explore, making the town centre a great place for dining out.
For those interested in fitness, the Woking Leisure Centre offer swimming, gym facilities, and fitness classes, including badminton, squash courts, and so much more.
If you’re after something more adrenaline-fueled then why not take a trip to local Thorpe Park, located just 25 minutes by car from Woking, and 50 minutes by train.
Transport Links in Woking
One of Woking’s biggest draws is its excellent transport connections. With the town’s train station offering direct services to London Waterloo in just 25 minutes, and a vast bus network, there’s very little need for a car. This makes Woking an ideal base for commuters.
Woking is well connected by road, with easy access to the M25, A3, and M3, providing links to other parts of Surrey, Berkshire, and London. Local bus services and cycling routes further enhance Woking’s accessibility.
Heathrow and Gatwick Airport are also within easy reach, with buses taking you there within 50 minutes.
Education Opportunities in Woking
Woking is home to a variety of highly rated schools, making it a popular choice for families. There are 38 schools in Woking overall, including 33 state funded and 3 independent schools, many with excellent Ofsted ratings.
Notable ranked schools include New Monument Primary Academy, Broadmere Primary Academy, and Maybury Primary School.
- New Monument Primary Academy – A ‘Good’ Ofsted rated school for 2 -11 year olds. 72% of pupils here achieved higher stands in reading, writing, and math’s at key stage 2. The curriculum is strong, covering subjects from history, math’s, geography, computing, and art.
- Broadmere Primary Academy – Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, this school accepts 2 -11 year olds. They work very closely with New Monument Primary School and have a strong senior leadership team.
- Maybury Primary School – A ‘Good’ Ofsted rated school. Ranging from nursery to Year 6, this school prides itself on its diversity and values around equality and respect. They foster an all inclusive and welcoming, caring environment.
Secondary Schools in Woking
Woking High School, which offers a wide range of academic subjects and extracurricular activities for ages 11 – 16, and the independent Hoe Bridge School, for 11 – 18 years old is known for its outstanding pastoral care.
Woking is also close to several universities, including the University of Surrey in Guildford, and the Royal Holloway University, roughly thirty minutes away in Egham.
Property Market in Woking
Woking’s property market is diverse, offering everything from modern apartments to large family homes. Whether you’re looking to rent or buy, the town has plenty to offer. The average property prices in Woking are higher than some surrounding towns, thanks to its commuter-friendly location and desirable amenities.
Average Property Prices in Woking
Over the past year, the average property price in Woking was £470,904.
24% of sales over the past 12 months were flats, achieving an average sales price of £251,763 with houses reaching an average of £571,468. 1,292 total transactions took place over the past 12 months.
Popular areas to purchase property over the past 3 months in Woking are Hook Heath Road, Heathside Park Road, Old Woking Road, Bagshot Road, and Guildford Road.
- Detached houses: £805,854
- Semi-detached houses: £507,294
- Terraced houses: £399,171
- Flats: £251,763
Average Rent Prices in Woking
Renting in Woking is a popular choice for commuters and young professionals with 25% of renters aged between 25 and 29.
62% of properties let in the past 12 months were flats achieving an average monthly rent of £1,272. Houses for rent in Woking saw an average monthly rent of £1,771. The average monthly rent across all properties was £1,438 over the past 12 months.
- Studio Flat: £1,015
- 1 Bedroom Flat: £1,173
- 2 Bedroom Flat: £1,416
- 1 Bedroom House: £1,201
For larger properties for rent, you could be looking at an average of £2,684 for a detached house. Woking’s proximity to London and other surrounding cities makes it an attractive rental option for those working in the city, and the property sales and rent prices reflect this.
If you’re looking to purchase or rent property in Woking, then get in touch with our Woking estate agents who would be more than happy to help you begin your journey.
What Is There to Do in Woking?
Woking has a rich cultural scene and plenty of activities to keep residents entertained. The New Victoria Theatre offer live performances, from West End shows to local productions. This year, up till January 5th, 2025, they’re showing the very popular Sleeping Beauty pantomime.
The Lightbox Gallery is a leading contemporary gallery in Woking which provides a range of art exhibitions and interactive events. They work with artists at all stages of their careers and are the only Arts Council England visual arts National Portfolio Organisation in Surrey.
For those who enjoy history, the Surrey History Centre and the nearby Woking Palace ruins provide some fascinating insights into the town’s historic past, dating back from as far as the 12th Century.
Woking also has a variety of sports clubs, including local football, rugby, and cricket teams. If you prefer more relaxed activities, enjoy a peaceful day at the Woking Golf Club offering both junior and full membership, or take in the stunning views of the nearby countryside at one of the many parks, walking trails or Woking nature reserves.
Is Woking the Right Town for You?
As we can see, Woking combines the convenience of easy access to major city hubs like London with the charm of a suburban town. It offers excellent transport links to Guildford, cute and quaint Weybridge, and Walton-on-Thames, with an abundance of beautiful green spaces, great Ofsted schools, and a vibrant local community.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a growing family, or looking to move to Woking and rent a property, Woking offers an exceptional lifestyle that can only continue to get better.
If you’re thinking of moving to Woking, contact our Woking estate agents branch for expert advice on finding the perfect home for you. Or call 01483 671090 for sales or 01483 958383 for lettings. Alternatively, book a free market appraisal today.
