Horsell

Horsell
Horsell  Horsell shown within Surrey
District	Woking
Shire county	Surrey
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	WOKING
Dialling code	01483
Police	Surrey
Fire	Surrey
Ambulance	South East Coast
EU Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	Woking
List of places: UK • England • Surrey

 

Horsell, Surrey, is an ancient (pre-Domesday Book) village nearby to the 19th century town of Woking, probably best known because of its association with the story The War of the Worlds, written by H. G. Wells. It was the landing site of the first Martian transport vessel in War of the Worlds.

The postal address for the village extends further than the built-up area of the village, reaching towards Ottershaw, Chobham and Woking Town Centre. Horsell is unique in the fact that it does not share its name with any other settlement in the world.

It is the home of the McLaren F1 headquarters.

The War Memorial

History

Horsell was originally planned to have a Railway station, although the plan was refused and the station was placed in Woking instead. Although Horsell doesn't have a Railway station it does have a High School, Woking High School-Formerly Horsell High School.

Numerous 500-plus year old buildings are still to be seen including a 12th century Anglican Church.

Horsell Common

See also: Horsell Common

The commonland includes Horsell Common, which is notable for being the place where the martians landed in War of the Worlds, an Ancient Burial Ground and a Muslim Burial Ground. One of Horsell's most significant locations is Horsell Common. The common includes a bomb crater from WW2, a large, seasonal pond with a sandpit (which is where the Martians landed) and an open field which extends to the grounds of the McLaren HQ. Many different species of plants and wildlife can be found there. There was a Home Guard base there, though this has long since disappeared. The Common is popular with the locals and people of Woking borough.

Schools, Facilities and Notable Alumni

The Anglican parish church of St Mary the Virgin dates back to the middle of the 12th century, and still retains the original doors. The church has strong links with one of the village's junior schools, Horsell C of E Junior School.

Notable alumni from Horsell include Robert Green, Former England and current West Ham United Goalkeeper. The village's other schools include the Horsell Village School, built 1851, and independent school St. Andrew's School along with Woking High School, formerly Horsell High School. It is also the home of Woking and Horsell Cricket Club, whose members have included Alec and Eric Bedser. The twins have played cricket for England.

See also

• History of Woking

External links

• Pictures of the Martian invasion memorial statues
• Information about Horsell from Horsell Residents' Association
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