You might know Woking as the home of McLaren’s Formula One team or the setting for H. G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds.
But alongside its A-list links, the town in north-west Surrey has earned a reputation for something decidedly more down-to-earth.
Woking has just been named the top commuter town for London, beating stiff competition from the likes of St Albans, Slough, Watford and Guildford in a study by Pepper Money.
It takes into account everything that matters to commuters: average house prices (both to buy and to rent), travel time, public transport cost and quality of life.
Working came out as the sweet spot for London convenience and the ability to have some actual square footage to your name.
Close enough to be in on the action, but without the stress of city life. Here’s a more detailed look at what it has to offer.
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House prices in Woking
Woking strikes a balance between location and value. Compared to other spots like St Albans (average house price: £628,000) or Guildford (£543,000), it’s more affordable.
With the average home ringing in at £460,000, you can find something that’s decently sized, often with a garden, without blowing the budget.
The streets are largely residential, with a nice mix of green spaces and vibrant community life. Cultural hubs, such as the Lightbox Gallery and the New Victoria Theatre, are slowly springing up.
And in terms of public transport, Woking is well-connected. It’s 30 minutes from Waterloo by train, and it’s also accessible via the M25 (though the drive will take you well over an hour).
With solid rail links, a pleasant community, and house prices that won’t knock the wind out of you, the more we learn about Woking, the more attractive it sounds.
Things to do
The Lightbox Gallery and Museum
The Lightbox is one of Woking’s cultural gems. A hub for contemporary art exhibitions, featuring interactive installations, workshops and activities, it’s a centerpiece of the community.
New Victoria Theatre
More than just a local arts centre, the New Victoria Theatre puts on a range of entertainment, from musicals to stand-up comedy. Having hosted iconic productions like Chicago and classics like Matthew Bourne’s ‘Swan Lake’, there’s something for every taste.
Pyrford Lock
Perched along the River Wey, the lock is a great place for a day out. A scenic walk along the Saturn Trail will take you to The Anchor, a pub that does a mean Sunday roast, and the West Byfleet, a watersports centre where you can rent rowing boats and paddleboards to head out on the lake on a warm day.
Papercourt Lake
Just a short drive from the Lock, Papercourt Lake is the perfect spot to spend a sunny afternoon. Keen sailors will find Papercourt Sailing Club here.
What the locals say
We trawled Woking’s local Reddit subs and community forums to get a sense of the place.
MrRichardH said: ‘Woking, overall, is a good place to live. Crime is low, transport links are great (30 minutes to Waterloo; 30 minutes to Heathrow on a good day).
ChibiTororo on Mumsnet.com wrote: ‘You can get some great street food in Market Walk in the town centre.
It smells amazing when you walk down there. The nightlife seems somewhat lacking in terms of bars, but that could be because people go out in London instead.
They put a big screen up in Jubilee Square for major events like sports, plus giant chessboards and perhaps table tennis.’
