The village of Woolaston is in Gloucestershire and is located adjacent to the A48, about 4 miles south west of Lydney and 5 miles north east of Chepstow. The village is in a pleasant rural location with easy access to the Forest of Dean, South Wales and Bristol.
Historically, records of Woolaston go back to the 10th Century, and indications exist of an earlier settlement. While no Lord of the Manor has ever been resident, Woolaston has passed through the possession of Tintern Abbey, the Crown, and The Dukes of Beaufort. The population of Woolaston did not vary significantly until the middle of the 20th Century.
Today the central village area has almost 300 households and a current estimated population of around 750. The population of the whole Parish of Woolaston is now about 1500.
As the village survey 2002 confirmed, many of the working population travel out of the village for their work. 20% within 15 miles radius but another 20% much further.
Woolaston may be more of a dormitory than it was, but residents are content to spend most of their leisure time within their village or close by.
An excellent article about the village history can be found on the Deanweb Forest of Dean Local History pages HERE.
Woolaston or Netherend?
The Parish of Woolaston has a long and varied history. Originally, the centre of population for the Parish existed around the Church, centrally within the Parish. As time has gone by the centre of population has migrated close to the edge of the parish boundary to the area still marked (incorrectly) on older OS maps, as Netherend which is in fact the name of the road through the village from the A48.
Amenities
Local services in the village consist of a shop, Post Office and three public houses. In addition there is a new Community Centre the Woolaston Memorial Hall, next to a substantial playing field and a children’s play area. The Gloucester to Chepstow bus route and a number of other local buses serve Woolaston. Both the railway stations in Lydney and Chepstow are a short distance away. For more information please see this page.