WOLSTON
Wolston – a large village situated some six and a half miles west of Rugby. In 1863 it was described as a large
pleasant village and parish, including the hamlets of Marston, Brandon and Bretford.
Wolston appears in the Domesday Book as “Vivricetone” and “Vivestone.
In the last census, in 2001, the population was some 2,357 people living in 940 resident households. By contrast, in
1861, the population was 814.
Three main streets form the backbone of the village – School Street, Warwick Road (previously known as Warwick
Street) and Main Street (previously known by various names including Avon Street and Station Road).
The most eye-catching of these is Main Street with its jumble of grand houses and charming cottages, two of the
village’s three public houses, the Baptist Chapel, the War Memorial, the old Post Office and the Village Hall.
A small stream, which enters the village at the far end of Brook Street, is channelled past the front of a number of
properties in Brook Street, under Warwick Road, before re-emerging at the top of Main Street where it is again
channelled in front of the properties down to The Beeches. From here it meanders through the Church Field to join the
River Avon.
Wolston St Margaret’s Primary School, set in secluded surroundings that were originally the walled garden belonging
to the Manor House, replaces the earlier Victorian school building on School Street, which has been converted for
business use.
The picturesque St. Margaret’s Church, believed to be of Saxon origin, with Norman and later additions, stands near
the River Avon. In 2008, essential repairs to the stonework of the buildings north and west sides were completed.
As you enter the village from Brandon, over the 18th century river bridge, you pass Avon Terrace. Behind this terrace
stood Bluemels factory and when the factory closed it was replaced by a Business Park which had some
thriving units on it but the land had to be sold so the units were demolished and replaced with a housing estate -
Bluemel Park - which contains St. Margaret’s Avenue and Bluemel’s Drive.
Continuing south towards the village centre you reach Meadow Road and Hawthorn Close. Over the years Meadow
Road has been extended and now links up with Priory Road. Radiating off Meadow Road we have Willowbrook Road,
Elmdene Close, Larchfields, and Abbots Walk.
Off School Street we have Dyers Lane and Lammas Court. Dyers Lane contains the Cemetery, with its former
mortuary chapel, a closed Baptist Burial ground, and the Recreation Ground providing a Pavilion, Scout Hut, and
children’s Play Area.
Off Warwick Road, we have Brook Street, which contains some properties reputed to date back to the early 18th
Century, Wolston Garage and the access road to the "new” Vicarage.
Opposite Brook Street we find Derry Close.
Continuing up Warwick Road, we pass the village’s third public house and the Old Vicarage, the gardens of which
became John Simpson Close and Chestnut Grove.
Opposite here we have the Library and the entrance to Manor Estate and Paddocks Close.
Further up Warwick Road we pass the entrance to Stretton Road. This leads to the excellent Allotments site and
further up the road passes a Site of Special Scientific Interest reflecting the glacial history of this part of Warwickshire
as depicted on the information board near the village green.
A new Leisure and Community Centre was built on part of the site of the old High School in 2003. The school closed in
1991 as part of a restructuring of Secondary Education provision in the Borough, and half the site was sold for housing
resulting in Millennium Way, William Cree Close, Mill Close, Salisbury Close and Manor View being built.
Although the village has seen considerable growth in the last 50 years, it strives hard to retain its character, and there
continues to be a thriving community spirit.