Did you know Woking’s story stretches back to the Domesday Book? It appears as “Wochinges” in that ancient record. Let’s explore Woking. This town and borough nestles in northwest Surrey. It sits about 23 miles from central London.
Woking’s name likely comes from a Saxon landowner. Imagine a powerful figure named Wocc or Wocca. “Woking” means “people of” or “family of” Wocc. The area’s history goes back even further. Paleolithic flints have been found here. However, the sandy soil wasn’t great for farming. Woking was the least populated part of the county in 1086.
Things changed between the 17th and 19th centuries. New transport links arrived. These included the Wey Navigation, Basingstoke Canal and London to Southampton railway line. The modern town started in the mid-1860s. The London Necropolis Company sold surplus land. This land surrounded the railway station.
Modern local government began in 1893. The Woking Local Board was created. It became Woking Urban District Council in 1894. The urban district grew in 1907. It took in the parish of Horsell. It grew again in 1933. This time, it took in Byfleet and Pyrford. Woking gained borough status in 1974.
The Borough of Woking covers 64 square kilometers. It had about 103900 people in 2021. The main urban area stretches from Knaphill to Byfleet. Villages like Brookwood and Mayford keep their identities. About 60% of the borough is Metropolitan Green Belt. This limits housebuilding.
Most of Woking town center is from the 20th and 21st centuries. However, there are historic buildings elsewhere. These include Woking Palace ruins. Henry VII and Henry VIII used it. St Peter’s Church in Old Woking has parts from William I’s reign. Sutton Place is an early unfortified house. The Shah Jahan Mosque was the first purpose-built UK mosque.
Woking played a role in literature. H. G. Wells lived in Maybury Road. He wrote “The War of the Worlds” there. Much of the novel is set in Woking. A statue of Wells stands in the town center.
Woking is a place of contrasts. It blends ancient history with modern development. Its transport links helped it grow. Its green spaces offer protection. Woking is still evolving today.