Woking is a large town located within the county of Surrey. It has a population of over 62,000 people. Woking is part of the Greater London Urban Area and the London commuter belt, as the town is a convenient distance from London for those wishing to work in the capital. Woking is located just 23 miles from central London.
The Peacocks shopping centre in Woking has over 150 shops as well as restaurants, a multiplex cinema and a theatre. Retailers include TK Maxx, Debenhams and Primark amongst others. The retail industry is a key employer within the town, providing many jobs for local residents.
There are many leisure facilities in Woking including an indoor swimming pool complex named "Pool in the Park", which has three different swimming pools. The pools are located in Woking Park, and other facilities include a crazy golf course, tennis courts and a leisure centre.
Woking is the home of the Surrey History Centre which collects archives and printed materials relating to Surrey's history. The archives can be accessed by the general public in its own supervised search room. The Lightbox in Woking is a museum focusing on art, sculpture and inventions, as well as information on the history of the town itself. It is another popular visitor destination within Woking.
Woking is also known for being the home of the McLaren Technology Centre which is the headquarters of the McLaren Group. The offices employ over 1000 members of staff and are home to the McLaren Formula One construction team. The Technology Centre has a 145 metre long, circuit shaped wind tunnel which is used by the McLaren Team for testing aerodynamic parts. Other facilities on site include a 700 seat restaurant and a swimming pool.