[4] Until the late 19th century, the village consisted of scattered cottages and farms, surrounded by fields, heathlands and nurseries.

The common is the site of a bronze-age barrow cemetery as well as a World War I era Muslim burial ground, a bomb crater from World War II, a large seasonal pond with a sandpit, and an open field extending to the grounds of the McLaren headquarters.

It hosts a wide variety of plant and wildlife species and has the status of a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

[10] The Anglican parish church of St Mary the Virgin dates back to the middle of the 12th century, and still retains the original doors.

It is also the home of Woking and Horsell Cricket Club, whose members have included Alec and Eric Bedser.