Woking's Story
Museum
Have you ever wondered about what life in Woking used to be like? Or how the town came to be the way it is today? Explore the fascinating history of the borough in Woking's Story...
Currently featuring a special 'Hoe Place' display which explores the history of one of Woking’s most historic houses and looks at how it has changed over the Centuries.
Click on the below links to find out more.
Stewart Bywater
‘Woking’s Story’ is a permanent display which explores the town's fascinating history through 8 main themes. Each has interactive displays and oral history listening points. You can discover people’s personal memories of life in the town and watch historic films.
The eight displays cover:
The Shah Jehan Mosque - the first purpose built mosque in the UK.
Brookwood Cemetery - famous for being the London overflow cemetery during the 19th Century.
Behind Closed Doors - revealing the changing attitudes to mental health at Brookwood Hospital.
The Coming of the Railway - about the importance of the railway to Woking and the story of its development.
The Changing Face of Woking - from commerce and industry to sport and entertainment.
Local Tales - Display about local heros and interesting stories from people's memories of the town.
Saving our Heritage - revealing the rich array of heritage sites to visit in the town and the surrounding area.
Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment - a changing display from the Museum of The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment at Clandon House.
Further information
Local Hero
Graham Stuart Thomas (1909 – 2003)
A display featuring Graham Stuart Thomas, pays tribute to the astonishing contributions he made within the world of horticulture not only nationally but internationally.
Object in Focus
Object in Focus - The Boorman Bier
The ‘Object in Focus’ display in Woking’s Story changes regularly and gives us the opportunity to show visitors a new object from the history collection. The current object on display is the Boorman Funeral Bier.
Listen Online
Woking's Oral History
Since the early 90s volunteers and staff at The Lightbox have been collecting people’s memories of living and working in this borough.
Oral History Book
Woking Living Words
Card players on steam trains, growers of chrysanthemums, parachute makers, laundry workers, taxi drivers and stories of people coming from all parts of the country and corners of the globe – just a few of the themes in a book about Woking's history published by The Lightbox.
Woking's Story
New Victoria Cross Display
Find out how Territorial Army soldiers from The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiments won the Victoria Cross for exceptional acts of bravery.
Education
Tactile Books
Carol Hardyman's tactile book 'Fred and the Canal' is now available in Woking's Story for all to enjoy.
Historical Buildings in Surrey
Historical Buildings in Surrey
St Columba's House