borough (district), administrative and historic county of Surrey, England. Woking lies about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of London. It developed as a residential town in an attractive setting of heathlands and pinewoods after the establishment of a railway connection with London (1838). It is notable for its mosque (1889), which is the headquarters of the Muslim community in Great Britain, and for its crematorium (1885), which was the first set up in England. It has light industry and major shopping centres. Area 25 square miles (64 square km). Pop. (2001) 89,836.