From humble beginnings Woking grew with the opening of the Wey Navigation Canal in the mid-seventeenth century, carrying traffic from Guildford to the River Thames, then more significantly with the arrival of the railway in 1838 and subsequent development of 'New Woking' in the mid-nineteenth century. Today it is a prosperous commuter town
Woking in 50 Buildings examines the proud and distinctive history of the town through a selection of its greatest architectural treasures. From the Shah Jahan Mosque, built in 1889 and the first ever purpose-built mosque in western Europe, to 'The Lightbox', an impressive new arts and heritage centre, this unique study celebrates the town's architectural heritage in a new and accessible way. Local author and historian Marion Field guides the reader on a tour of the town's historic buildings and modern architectural marvels.