Predating the urban area of Woking by over 1000 years, Old Woking, lying to the southeast of Woking’s town centre, sits the ancient locale of Old Woking. A site of great ancient historical interest, then dominated by the Tudor Dynasty, and then a locus for great industrial power, Old Woking’s history is long, storied, and unique. Due to its grand historical character, development in the area is largely focused on restoration, and new developments are seldom approved.

Old Woking’s historical intrigue is vast and notable. The Old Woking Residents’ Association architectural group has recorded over 100 buildings in the area to have been built before 1700. St Peter’s Church, which is a grade I listed building, has been dated to the 12th Century! However, it’s most famous historical intrigue lies in the Tudor Dynasty, with their occupation of Woking Palace as a royal residence. The Tudor’s used this palace as a residence for over 150 years, beginning with Lady Margaret Beaufort, the mother of Henry VII who transformed the country manor (thought to have been dated to the same time as St Peter’s Church, 1252) into a grand palatial site. The palace was continually used throughout the reign of Henry VIII, who maintained its upkeep and performed alterations, and Elizabeth the I. It fell into disrepair when handed to James I, who adandoned it to create a new manor closer to the Hoe Stream.

Old Woking remained the centre of Woking until the construction of the railway in 1838, which fostered the development of what we now know as Woking. It wasn’t until 1976 when Woking Borough was formed, that Old Woking split into its own ward!

The rapid construction of contemporary Woking combined with the historical character of Old Woking means that housing and property development in this area is slow, and faces barriers upheld by the frequency of listed buildings and protected grasslands. Although some housing development has occurred, in particular the restoration of the old industrial printing works into housing units in 2012 by Linden Homes, which was hailed as a huge success!