Advice on Woking

[MovingFromLondon]

Morning all,

I'm new to Mumsnet and looking for advice on Woking. We currently live in SE London and planning to move in about 6-8 months. We've focussed our attention on Woking, and the surrounding areas due to the good train line to Earlsfield (I work near there) and Clapham Junction, as an alternative route. We like Horsell and possibly Goldsworth Park, but we're still researching. We've got a three year old so need a good pre-school/nursery and a decent school close by.

My main questions are:

How busy is Woking Station for the 8.32am and the 8.43am trains? Is it possible to get a seat on either of these trains?

Would you recommend Goldsworth Park, or have recommendations for other areas that are about 1-1.5 miles from the station?

Thank you!
Rosalind

Hi Rosalind,
I just came across your post as we are in the same position as you were - moving from central London to Woking. My hubby works in Canary Wharf as has to be in by 7.30ish, I work in Berkshire so Woking is our compromise. We have a 10 month old baby.
I just wondered if you went ahead with your move and have any advice/ info?
Thank you!
Claire

As it's a bit later in the morning you might get lucky getting a seat, but a lot of people do get on at Guildford which is just before Woking.
Horsell is lovely. It feels villagey and is very popular.

Unlikely to get a seat on train at Woking on those trains - even at that time it's usually pretty packed. Unless you are prepared to get stopping service which is quite a bit slower but usually plenty of seats...

Hello, I'm in process of deciding whether to rent a property just off Oriental Road, near St Dunstan's School, or Woodham Road - the edge of Horsell. We are doign this as a process of moving out of central London.

My hubby will get very early train to London, I will drive to maidenhead after dropping little one (will be 1 yr) at nursery. What is the traffic like going along monument road? Any advice re these two areas would be incredibly appreciated.

Thank you very much
Claire

I live in Old Woking and walk to the train station for work. I walk through Woking Park and it takes me around 20 minutes. Trains can be busy - but there are plenty to Waterloo and I often have a seat and always plenty of trains back as well if you miss one. The earlier trains 6:30am till 8am are the busiest so you may be ok at that time really as they are not quite so rammed. Stopper train always has seats as it starts at Woking.

Agree Horsell is lovely but one of the most expensive areas in Woking. Traffic is terrible across most of Woking between 8.15-9 in term time, and the station car park is both expensive and a 5 min walk from the station. Therefore best if you can walk or cycle to the station - but these are the areas with the highest price tag, generally.

St Johns is nice but not walkable really, though you could cycle it. It's cheaper than Horsell.

Goldsworth Park is fine but again not really walkable, though I think there is a decent bus service from Waitrose to the station. It's a bit estate-y, 70s built - St Johns, Horsell, Old Woking are older mostly.
Mount Hermon / Wych Hill are worth looking at.
Maybury is not considered such a nice area, but it is safe enough and it is walkable to the station.

Good luck!

If you're looking to commute from Woking to Clapham Junction during the rush hour, then you might want to read this article - www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/south-western-railway-proposes-slash-13843091

It seems to be saying that there could be far fewer trains stopping at Clapham in the future.

Definitely look at Old Woking (I walk from there to the station too). If you’re getting the train to Earlsfield I honk you’ll always be on the stopping service and as a PP said, those usually start at woking so you’re guaranteed a seat. Fast trains are really hard to get a seat on between 8am and 9.30am.

All main routes through/around Woking are shocking by car at rush hour at the moment due to the immense development project in the town centre. Won’t be like that forever tho! If you need the M25 or A3 then again, Old Woking is a good bet as it’s a short drive out through Send. Getting on to the M25 at Chertsey will always be super busy, the A320 is very congested.

Can’t comment on the schools angle as I don’t have kids, but Old Woking does have one!

Horsell is lovely but expensive. Check the catchment areas for the primary schools as I think they're quite tight.

The area around St Dunstans is also very nice but the school there is Catholic, unless you're part of that church I don't think you'll get a place.

Another option could be West Byfleet which is one stop closer to London and has an excellent primary school, Waitrose etc.

Good luck, Woking is a good place to live.

It won’t be an issue for you yet, OP, but Woking town centre can be unsafe for young men at night - lots of fights, weapons, etc.

And there are armed police on the streets in the town centre now - saw them last week