As we know, Woking is a town of huge historical interest. Two authors in particular have recorded much of its heritage with their own titles. Check out these excellent books by Alan Crosby and Marion Field.
Read on to find out more...
A History of Woking by Alan Crosby
Woking,
though the largest town in Surrey, is known to many only as a railway junction
and might seem to be the archetype of suburban dormitories with no past or any
interest. However, this first comprehensive account of its origins and growth
shows that Woking, with its associated villages of Byfleet, Horsell and
Pyrford, can trace its varied history back over fourteen centuries. Inevitably,
the book concentrates on the period since 1800, during which the present town
has evolved. The landscape and character of the area at the end of the 18th century
are described as a prelude to a fascinating account of the unique new town of
the 1870s and its bizarre origin as the speculation of a cemetery company. The
author paints a vivid and detailed picture of the conditions that prevailed,
often primitive and even squalid, during the vigorous expansion of the late
19th century. A series of institutions, prominent in the development of Woking
included Britain's largest cemetery and oldest crematorium, the first mosque in
Western Europe and an abortive university. All are given full attention in the
author's compelling narrative which carries the history up to the present day.
Buy the book from Amazon HERE
Secret Woking by Marion Field
Woking is a rather strange place. The Saxon village of ‘Old Woking’ appears in the Domesday
Book but ‘new’ Woking is a nineteenth-century town. Over the years, the town
has continually reinvented itself. Demolished buildings have been rebuilt and
new roads streak across the countryside. However, the names of roads are often
a reminder of Woking’s past inhabitants. Woking has become a popular place to
work, and nowadays many people travel from London to work while others reverse
the journey to work in the city. Secret Woking contains a collection of
lesser-known facts about the town and ‘secrets’ that will be brought into the
open – from owing its existence to a cemetery, something few towns can claim,
to a Nazi spy, gruesome murders, royal visitors, a horse’s cremation, and a
look at a number of colourful eccentrics. Join Marion Field as she delves into
all of these stories and others, and learn more about Woking’s hidden past.
* Marion has
written a number of other books about Woking and its rich history, all of which
can be found on Amazon and elsewhere on the internet.
Buy the book
from Amazon HERE
Note: The renowned local historian, Iain Wakeford has
written a number of booklets and guides about Woking and its surrounding
villages across the years. Other books such as his early work, Bygone Woking appear to be currently out of print. You can find out more about Iain's writing and his many informative booklet publications from his website at: https://wokinghistory.org/
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