Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Woking, Surrey

A thriving commuter town, Woking is located within London’s green belt, with a travel time of less than 25 minutes by train from Waterloo Station.

The town developed during the Victorian era, situated adjacent to what was at that time the largest cemetery globally.

In the 1880s, the first mosque in Northern Europe was established in Woking, followed shortly by the creation of the first purpose-built racing circuit nearby at Brooklands.

With a well-off population and the expansive green belt, the town boasts no less than 14 golf courses, some of which are recognized among the finest in the country.

A notable former resident is H.G. Wells, who penned War of the Worlds while residing in the area.

In the novel, Woking is devastated shortly after the Martians land on Horsell Common.

Now, let’s delve into the top attractions in Woking:

1. The Lightbox

Adjacent to the Basingstoke Canal, the Lightbox serves as Woking’s art gallery and local history museum, housed in a contemporary structure that was inaugurated in 2007. The permanent exhibition, titled “Woking’s Story,” chronicles the town’s history through eight displays, covering topics such as the Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment, the arrival of the railway, Brookwood Cemetery, the Tudor Woking Palace, and the Shah Jahan Mosque.

Moreover, the Lightbox features exceptional temporary art exhibitions.

For instance, in late 2018, an exhibition showcased Impressionist works by artists like Cézanne, Degas, and Renoir.

Other notable artists represented over the past decade include John Constable, Henry Moore, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Picasso, and J.M.W. Turner.

2. RHS Garden Wisley

Among England’s four Royal Horticultural Society gardens, Wisley stands out as the most visited, attracting approximately a million visitors annually.

This remarkable site, accompanied by a research and training laboratory, originated from a Victorian experimental garden and was entrusted to the RHS in 1903. The gardens are expertly landscaped, offering delightful vistas throughout the year.

Noteworthy sections include an exotic garden, rock garden, bonsai walk, conifer field, walled garden, pinetum, cottage garden, orchard, mixed borders, Mediterranean terraces, and a magnificent rose garden.

Additionally, there exists a remarkable 12-metre-high glasshouse surrounded by meticulously designed gardens, equating to the size of 10 tennis courts.

Wisley contains six diverse dining establishments, such as the bustling Food Hall, which features a changing menu based on seasonal produce cultivated on site.

3. Horsell Common

Within walking distance from Woking town centre, Horsell Common is one of England’s unique areas of common land that is both privately owned and publicly accessible.

This common features a diverse mix of habitats, including wetland, open Surrey heathland, and woodlands with birch, oak, and coniferous trees.

Additionally, the sand pits are notable for their appearance in War of the Worlds, serving as the location where the Martians emerge from their craft and unleash their heat-rays.

A short stroll off Monument Road leads to the Muslim Burial Ground.

This site was initially the burial ground for 24 Muslim servicemen who perished during the two World Wars but has since evolved into a memorial garden for all British Indian military personnel who lost their lives in the conflicts.

Enclosed within walls, the memorial garden features a reflecting pool nourished by a rill alongside a chhatri (traditional dome-shaped pavilion).

4. Shah Jahan Mosque

Located on Oriental Road, the Shah Jahan Mosque was the first purpose-built mosque not only in the UK but also throughout Northern Europe, having been finished in 1889. Its distinct Persian-Saracenic Revival architecture, designed by Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner, includes a dome and four small minarets constructed from Bath and Bargate stone (limestone and sandstone). This mosque was frequented by Queen Victoria’s British Indian staff when she was visiting Windsor.

Since the 1970s, the mosque has functioned as a Sunni place of worship and remains an integral part of the local Muslim community.

Visitors are welcome to enter this Grade I listed building for exploration (outside of prayer periods), with guided tours available by request through a form on the website for further insight.

5. Wells in Woking Heritage Trail

H.G. Wells resided in Woking while composing War of the Worlds, with a significant portion of the narrative set in the town, which is swiftly obliterated by the Martians.

A downloadable map for the “Wells in Woking” trail is available, featuring a circular route that starts and concludes at Woking Railway Station.

This walking trail incorporates 13 stops that highlight locations connected to Wells’ life in the town, or that are referenced in War of the Worlds.

Landmarks include Wells’ residence at 141 Maybury Road, the sandpits on Horsell Common, and the Wheatsheaf Pub where Ogilvy encounters a potman rushing to Woking to inform others about the Martians.

At Horsell Bridge, there is a mural in the subway depicting the Martians landing on Horsell Common, and a sculpture representing a Martian breaking through the town can be found in Crown Square, along with a statue of H.G. Wells situated before the Lightbox.

6. Brooklands Museum

The first purpose-built motor racing circuit globally was established a short distance from Woking in Weybridge.

Inaugurated in 1907, Brooklands also served as an airfield and became a significant location for the aviation industry.

This venue was instrumental in the manufacturing of aircraft models like the VC-10, Viscount, and Wellington.

Brooklands’ history is narrated through an exceptional range of racing cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and aircraft within a world-class museum that is accessible every day of the year, except Christmas.

The aircraft exhibit is remarkable, featuring Hawker and Vickers/BAC planes, along with the only Concorde open to the public in southeastern England.

For those planning a visit, it is advisable to check the museum’s calendar, as it hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including car club visits, aviation days, and motorsport competitions.

7. St Peter’s Church

Situated in the Old Woking conservation area by the River Wey, this Medieval church is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The only remnants from the Norman period are the west and north walls, while the tower, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, along with the nave and south aisle, were completed in the early 1400s.

Remarkably, the wooden door within the Romanesque west entrance (now located in a porch under the tower) has endured for 900 years since the era of Henry I. Constructed from four oak planks, this door was about 270 years old when it was felled, making it the oldest in Surrey and the third oldest in the UK.

8. WWF Living Planet Centre

The UK headquarters of the World Wildlife Fund are conveniently located in Woking’s town centre, featuring a visitor centre open to the public from Monday to Friday.

This eco-friendly structure was inaugurated by David Attenborough in 2013 and is worth visiting on its own merit.

Inside, an interactive exhibition unfolds across four themed zones centered on wildlife, oceans, rivers, and forests, complete with a treasure hunt designed for children.

During school holidays, the learning zone offers nature-based activities for youngsters, and there are occasional family discovery sessions in the wildlife garden led by gardening experts from RHS Wisley.

9. Jubilee Square

An investment of £7 million has transformed Woking into a vibrant central plaza, lined with shops and a Café Rouge terrace.

Jubilee Square is anchored by Christ Church Woking and the shopping centres Peacocks and Wolsey Place.

This initiative was completed in time for the 2012 Olympics and the Queen’s diamond jubilee, transforming this area into a focal point for community events such as the Woking Food Festival held in September.

At the northern end of the square along Mercia Walk, a statue commemorates the Paralympian Ade Adepitan, who won a bronze medal in wheelchair basketball at the 2004 Athens Games.

10. New Victoria Theatre

Situated within the Peacocks Centre in the heart of Woking, the New Victoria Theatre accommodates 1,300 patrons and is among the largest receiving theatres outside London.

This venue hosts notable West End musicals (including Chicago, Miss Saigon, Cats, and Jersey Boys), along with dance performances, tribute acts, comedians, and cultural or sporting events.

For younger audiences, pantomimes are staged in December alongside family-friendly musicals; the theatre also screens productions from Glyndebourne.

In addition, the smaller Rhoda McGaw theatre, located within the same complex, features the one-act Woking Drama Festival each autumn, a tradition that has been ongoing since 1959.

11. Basingstoke Canal and River Wey Navigations

Woking Borough serves as a pivotal point within England’s inland waterways, where the Basingstoke Canal converges with the Wey Navigations, facilitating access to the River Thames.

The Basingstoke Canal traverses the borough from Brookwood in the west to the Wey at Byfleet and is recognized as one of the most picturesque waterways in the UK. The Saturn Trail along the scenic towpath provides a tranquil means to explore the area, whether by foot or bicycle.

The National Trust has established a seven-mile looping walking route along the canal and navigation, leading through the operational lock at Pyford, adjacent to the waterside Anchor pub.

During summer months, visitors can also board “Kitty,” a narrowboat operated by John Pinkerton Canal Cruises, for a delightful cruise through the town and alongside Horsell Common.

12. Brookwood Cemetery

Woking Borough is home to the largest cemetery in the United Kingdom.

Commonly referred to as the London Necropolis, Brookwood Cemetery spans over 500 acres and contains more than 230,000 burials, dating back to 1852 when there was an urgent need for burial space in the capital.

The Brookwood Military Cemetery stands as the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the nation.

The 24 burials at the Muslim Burial Ground on Horsell Common were relocated to Brookwood in 1968. While the cemetery may seem solemn, the military cemetery possesses fascinating narratives, which can be explored through guided walks two to three days a week during the summer months.

Participants will learn about the history and significance of the various memorials within the cemetery, along with the stories of the individuals commemorated at Brookwood.

13. Golf

The Woking area features an impressive number of golf courses that spread across the heathland.

In theory, one could visit a different club every day for two weeks without repeating a course.

The West Hill Golf Club (established in 1909), located next to Brookwood Cemetery, was originally developed by the London Necropolis.

Golfers would discreetly travel down on the Necropolis Railway (a dedicated line servicing the cemetery), masquerading as mourners to avail themselves of the train’s affordable fares.

One of the more distinguished courses in the vicinity is Worplesdon Golf Club, designed by John Abercromby and established in 1908. Adjacent to it, the historic Woking Golf Club, founded in 1893, is also ranked among the UK’s top 100 courses, with fees reflective of its status.

For a family-friendly golfing experience, Hoebridge features a whimsical pirate-themed crazy golf course.

14. Mercedes-Benz World

Adjacent to the Brooklands Museum, Mercedes-Benz World is a facility owned by the luxury automobile brand, encompassing various training tracks and hosting the AMG Driving Academy.

Numerous champion drivers, such as Lewis Hamilton, Mika Häkkinen, Nico Rosberg, and Stirling Moss, have utilized these tracks.

Visitors can partake in a selection of driving experiences, whether by driving or riding in an AMG-powered sports car on the track or navigating a 4×4 vehicle on an off-road course.

Additionally, there exists a driving simulator, a shop for Mercedes merchandise, and continually updated exhibits showcasing classic cars and new models.

15. Woking Food and Drink Festival

Recognized as Surrey’s “Best Local Food Event” since 2017, the Woking Food and Drink Festival is held in the revitalized town center each year on the first weekend of September.

Spanning from Friday to Sunday, the festival features cooking demonstrations and masterclasses led by celebrity chefs and local talents, complemented by over 80 food and drink stalls.

Attendees can shop for craft gin, savor local sparkling wines, experience a diverse selection of street food, and sample delights from local businesses, including cupcakes and artisanal condiments.