- Woking served as the inspiration for the Martian landing site in H.G. Wells' science fiction classic, The War of the Worlds, which the author wrote while living in the town.
- The Shah Jahan Mosque, built in 1889, was the first purpose-built mosque in the United Kingdom and is listed as a Grade II* historic site.
- The town's original cemetery, the Brookwood Cemetery, was once the largest in the world and was served by a dedicated railway line to transport coffins from London.
- Woking was one of the earliest locations in England to experiment with the development of crematoria in the late 19th century.
- The town centre underwent a massive multi-decade transformation starting in the 1970s, shifting from a traditional market town layout to a pedestrianized commercial hub.
About Woking
Woking is a historically significant town in Surrey, notable for being the site of the UK's first purpose-built mosque, the Shah Jahan Mosque. The town serves as a major commuter hub located 23 miles southwest of central London, with a center defined by the modern Nova Cinema and the cultural offerings at the Lightbox Gallery. Residents and visitors alike utilize the expansive green space of Woking Park for recreation. Its development is deeply connected to the 19th-century expansion of the London and South Western Railway.
Highlights of Woking
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
This central park features extensive sports facilities, a lake, and a skate park perfect for outdoor leisure.
Temples
Explore the first purpose-built mosque in Britain, an architecturally significant Grade II* listed building.
Venues
This modern cinema complex anchors the town's evening entertainment scene with high-specification screening rooms.
Museums
This canalside gallery hosts changing exhibitions of contemporary art and local history artifacts.
Parks
This expansive estate is widely recognized for its manicured gardens and historic parkland landscape.
Temples
Visit this historic church to observe traditional ecclesiastical architecture set within a tranquil parish environment.
Top things to do in Woking
The 44 highest-rated places in Woking, ranked by travellers.
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Parks
Woking Park is a 50-acre green space located adjacent to Woking town centre, serving as both a municipal park and a comp...
2
Temples
The Shah Jahan Mosque is the first purpose-built mosque in the United Kingdom, commissioned by Dr. Gottleib Wilhelm Leit...
3
Parks
Horsell Common is a 350-hectare site of biological importance characterized by heathland, woodland, and wetland habitats...
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Venues
Nova Cinema is a modern, seven-screen multiplex located within the Peacocks Centre in Woking. The venue features digital...
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Museums
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Temples
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Parks
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Historical places
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Temples
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Parks
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Historical places
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Parks
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Places of interest
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Temples
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Woking on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Woking
May to September, as these months offer the mildest temperatures for exploring the extensive parklands and historic church architecture.
2 days, as the core town centre and nearby historic sites can be explored comfortably within a weekend.
The town centre is highly walkable, with a frequent rail service connecting to London Waterloo and local bus networks covering the surrounding Surrey villages.
The town centre is the most convenient area for transport links and immediate access to dining and shopping facilities.
Mid-range; while standard services are similar to Greater London pricing, accommodation is generally more affordable than central London.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 44 curated attractions in and around Woking, ranked by traveller ratings.
Woking Park is the highest-rated place to visit in Woking right now.
The largest category is temples, with 25 places to explore.
Travellers also explore London, North Kensington, Manchester.
Explore more of United Kingdom
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
