Woolverstone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woolverstone |
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 St Michael's, Woolverstone |
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 Woolverstone
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| Population | 265 (2011) |
| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Ipswich |
| Postcode district | IP9 |
| Police | Suffolk |
| Fire | Suffolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Woolverstone is a small, charming village in Suffolk, England. It's located on the Shotley peninsula, a piece of land surrounded by water on three sides. This village is about 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) south of Ipswich, right by the southern shore of the River Orwell.
In 2011, about 265 people lived in Woolverstone. It's a quiet place with a rich history. Today, it's home to Ipswich High School. This school moved here in 1992, taking over the buildings of the old Woolverstone Hall School. The village also has a popular marina and the Royal Harwich Yacht Club.
During World War II, a Royal Navy base called HMS Woolverstone was located here. It was used to train sailors and load landing crafts.
Contents
What's in Woolverstone?
Woolverstone is a peaceful village with a few key spots. The main part of the village sits along the road that goes from Ipswich to Shotley (B1456). While you won't find many shops or a Post Office, the village does have a community hall and a church.
- Village Hall: This is a place where local events and meetings happen.
- Church: The village church is called St Michael's. It belongs to the Church of England.
- Marina: Woolverstone has a popular marina. Here, you can find a chandlery (a shop for boat supplies) and a local bar and restaurant called Buttermans.
Kids in Woolverstone go to primary schools in nearby villages like Chelmondiston, Holbrook, Tattingstone, and Shotley. For older students, the nearest secondary school is Holbrook High School. It shares its location with the Peninsula Sports Centre. There's also a regular bus service (route 97) that connects the village to Ipswich.
A Look Back: Woolverstone's History
The name Woolverstone comes from an old word, "Woluestun." It's thought to mean "Wulfhere's tun," which was like his enclosed farm or village. People have found many old items in the area, showing that people have lived here for a very long time!
- Stone Age Finds: Tools like flint axes and an arrowhead from the Neolithic period (New Stone Age) have been discovered.
- Bronze Age Discoveries: Pieces of pottery and flints from the Bronze Age were also found.
- Roman and Saxon Times: There have been finds from the Romans, like pottery and a brooch. Items from the Saxons, such as a coin and another brooch, have also been uncovered.
The Domesday survey of 1086, a famous record from over 900 years ago, mentioned Woolverstone. It noted two separate areas of land, including woodlands and land belonging to the Church.
Famous Buildings in Woolverstone
Woolverstone has several interesting and historic buildings. Many of them are "listed," which means they are protected because of their special history or architecture.
- St Michael's Church: This is the village church.
- Woolverstone House: A beautiful house designed in 1901 by a famous architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens. It was built for Mrs. C. Berners. The gardens around it, originally designed by Gertrude Jekyll, have been restored.
- Berners Hall: This is the village hall.
- The Dairy House: Another historic building in the village.
- The Widows' Homes: These homes have two stone monkeys on the roof! A story says they are there because a pet monkey once saved a child of the Berners family from a fire.
- The Cat House: This house has a unique Gothic style. Legend says the owner would put a stuffed cat in the window to signal that the river was clear for boats carrying goods without paying taxes.
- Woolverstone Hall: A very important historic building in the area.
Boating and Community Life
Woolverstone is a great place for boating and community activities.
- Woolverstone Marina: This marina is located on the River Orwell and is part of a large parkland area. It's one of many marinas owned by Marina Developments Limited (MDL).
- Royal Harwich Yacht Club: This yacht club has a long history, starting in 1843. It has had many connections with the Royal Family, including Prince Philip as its Patron. The club moved to its current spot after World War II. In 1973, they added floating docks, giving the club its own marina.
The Royal Harwich Yacht Club also supports The Woolverstone Project. This project helps people with disabilities enjoy sailing at Woolverstone and at the nearby Alton Water reservoir. A well-known person, Paul Heiney, is the Patron of this project.
- Spring Lodge Care Home: This building used to be the parsonage (the home of a church minister) for Woolverstone Hall. It's now a care home for elderly people, located right in the heart of the village.
People from Woolverstone
Some notable people have connections to Woolverstone:
- John Dwight, who helped settle Dedham, Massachusetts in America.
- Nathaniel Colburn, another settler of Dedham, Massachusetts.
Images for kids
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St Michael's Church in Woolverstone
