Visitor itineraries

Whether you're here for a few hours, a whole day, a weekend or longer, you'll find Woking is the ideal place to visit.

Short visit

If you're only here for a few hours, why not visit one of our top attractions?

Adults and children alike will enjoy spending some time at The Lightbox, the county's newest, and award-winning, museum and gallery.

The Big Apple family entertainment complex in the centre of Woking is a great place to take the children, with bowling, Laserquest, American pool and a play area, all under cover. There's also an American-style diner, and a late bar for the parents.

Watch a show at The Ambassadors, the South East's leading theatre and cinema complex.

There are plenty of great shopping opportunities in Woking Town Centre, with Wolsey Place and The Peacocks shopping centres.

Woking Town Square also hosts regular specialist markets, including the monthly farmers' market, and seasonal craft and continental markets.

The vast Brookwood Cemetery, which opened in 1854, was built to house London's dead, and provides a fascinating glimpse into the past. There are also regular guided walks around the site, led by members of the cemetery society.

Woking Palace, a favourite hunting ground of Henry VIII, is located in Old Woking. The site is open on special heritage weekends through the year.

The Shah Jahan Mosque on Oriental Road was built in 1889, and is the country's first purpose built mosque.

The Cobham Bus Museum is a small, volunteer-run museum, with a collection of vintage buses on display at weekends through the summer.

Mizens railway is a miniature railway in Knaphill, with plenty of events to interest enthusiasts and families alike.

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Half a day

If you have a morning or afternoon free, here are a few activities that take in a bit more of the Borough and surrounding area.

Our self-guided walks encourage you to get out and about in the beautiful countryside on our doorstep.

Famous author, H.G. Wells, lived in Woking and based The War of the Worlds in the town and nearby villages. A self-guided walk to some of the sites mentioned in the book can be purchased at Woking Library in Town Square. Alternatively, contact the author, Iain Wakeford, who also leads heritage walks around the area's historic hamlets.

Brooklands Museum, the birthpace of British motorsport and aviation, is just five miles down the road in Weybridge, with events and meets throughout the year.

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A whole day

If you are in the area for a day or more, here are a few nearly attractions that are well worth a whole day's visit. Most are within a 30 minute drive of Woking, and some can be easily reached by public transport (see individual entries for more information).

Birdworld in Farnham is situated in 26 acres of landscaped gardens and has a large collection of birds from around the world. Farnham is 15 miles away, off the A31.  Trains go direct from Woking to Farnham, from where a taxi ride would be needed.

Chessington World of Adventures theme park is also in Surrey, with a wide range of entertainment for all the family.

Legoland in Windsor is a great family day out, with an enchanted forest, balloon school and a Duplo train.  Buses from Woking to Windsor require a change at Staines bus station.

Hampton Court Palace is just outside London, and offers a fascinating look at royal life in the past.  Trains to Hampton Court require a change at Surbiton.

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Beyond Woking Borough

If you have already experienced the best of Woking, or are in the area for a longer stay, why not explore further afield and visit some of Surrey's other highlights?

Guildford is Surrey's county town and only 10 minutes away by train, or 20 minutes by car. It's a town steeped in history, with an ancient castle and a traditional cobbled high street, alongside high street stores and a modern cathedral. Boat trips along the River Wey can also be enjoyed from Guildford Boat House.

Kingston is also nearby, and can be reached by train within half an hour, via Surbiton station. You'll find plenty of big stores in Kingston as well as a daily market. Why not combine some retail therapy with a stroll or meal alongside the River Thames?

Dorking is right in the heart of the Surrey Hills area of outstanding natural beauty and offers great access to some of the finest countryside in Surrey. The town also has a wide selection of antique shops to browse.  Catch the train to Guildford to change for Dorking.  The train journey through the fields is worth the trip alone!

Wimbledon is has plenty of shops to visit ,as well as the world-famous tennis courts. There is also a museum dedicated to the sport within a short distance of the station.  Trains from Woking to Wimbledon are frequent.

Portsmouth is easily accessible by train from Woking, and offers a great day out, taking you direct to the designer shops at Gunwharf Quays and the impressive historic dockyard alongside.

Want to hit the beach? Surrey may be inland but Bournemouth and Weymouth are just an hour or so away, by a direct rail service from Woking, and have some of the most attractive beaches in the country.

Or why not try the Isle of White, which can soon be reached from Portsmouth. Buy your combined rail and ferry ticket at Woking railway station, and just hop on the ferry at the coast!