Woking

Woking district sits in north-west Surrey, about 23 miles southwest of central London, and covers the borough centred on the town of Woking and neighbouring settlements such as West Byfleet, Byfleet, Knaphill, Pyrford and Horsell. The town centre grew around the railway; Woking railway station is a major stop on the South Western Main Line with regular services to London Waterloo and to Portsmouth. Local cultural facilities include the Lightbox gallery and museum and the New Victoria Theatre, and the Shah Jahan Mosque on Oriental Road — opened in 1889 — is the first purpose-built mosque in Britain. The borough has a mix of residential neighbourhoods, business parks and greenbelt land on its outskirts.

Rail, bus and road links make Woking a commuter hub while also supporting local commerce. There are sports clubs, community centres and conservation sites such as Horsell Common, noted for its sandy soil and shifting heather. Planning and development in the district balance housing demand with protected countryside, and several rivers and tributaries feed into the local drainage network that links to the River Wey.