Built on a canal and a railway
The Basingstoke Canal runs through the town, its tree-lined towpath still a popular route today, and Woking's rapid growth followed once the railway reached it in the Victorian era, transforming what had been a much smaller settlement.
Home to Britain's oldest purpose-built mosque
The Shah Jahan Mosque, completed in 1889, is recognised as the oldest purpose-built mosque in the country, funded by a Begum of Bhopal and designed by a Guildford architect. It remains an important place of worship and a well-known local landmark.
A modern arts landmark
The Lightbox, a more recent addition to the town, combines an art gallery and a local heritage centre, sitting close to the canal in the town centre.
Council
Woking Borough Council covers planning across the town, a different authority again from the one responsible for Dorking.
Frequently asked questions
What is Woking known for historically?+
The Shah Jahan Mosque, completed in 1889 and recognised as the oldest purpose-built mosque in the country, is one of its best known landmarks.
Which council covers Woking?+
Woking Borough Council, a separate authority from the one covering Dorking.
Nearby areas
Services
Useful local links
- Reigate and Banstead Borough Council – Planning — The planning authority covering Reigate and Redhill, a separate borough from Mole Valley.
- Epsom and Ewell Borough Council – Planning permission — The planning authority covering Epsom, a separate borough from Mole Valley.
- Elmbridge Borough Council – Planning permission and applications — The planning authority covering Cobham, a separate borough from Mole Valley.
- GOV.UK – Planning permission: when you need it — Government guidance on when planning permission is required in England and Wales.
- GOV.UK – Party Wall etc. Act 1996 guidance — Government guidance on notifying neighbours and resolving disputes over shared or boundary walls, relevant to attached garage conversions.
- Planning Portal – Garage conversion — National guidance on when planning permission is needed for a garage conversion in England.
- Planning Portal – Outbuildings — National guidance on permitted development rules for garden buildings and outbuildings, including height and coverage limits.