Woolton


Woolton is an affluent suburb of Liverpool, England. Located to the southeast of the city, it is bordered by the suburbs of Allerton, Gateacre, and Hunt's Cross, as well as the town of Halewood. At the 2011 Census, the population was 12,921.

Overview

Originally a standalone village, Woolton was incorporated into Liverpool in 1913. The area was referred to as "Uluentune" in the Domesday Book, with the name translating as "farm of Wulfa". Shortly after the Domesday survey, which was completed in 1086, Woolton became part of the Barony of Halton and Widnes. In 1189, a charge was granted by John, Constable of Chester, to the order of Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, a religious order who protected the routes for Christians on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The Knights held land in Woolton for over 350 years, until it was confiscated from them in 1559 by Queen Elizabeth I. The manorial rights to Woolton passed from Queen Elizabeth to James I, who sold them to William Stanley, 6th Earl of Derby. Woolton then passed to Isaac Green, then his daughter, then her son Bamber Gascoyne of Childwall, and is now owned by the Marquess of Salisbury.
Housing is primarily semi-detached and detached, although some terraces survive in Woolton Village. Pubs in the area include The Cobden, The Elephant, The Grapes, The Victoria, and The White Horse, with more within walking distance. Other notable buildings include the Victorian public swimming baths and the public library, which was converted from a Methodist chapel but closed in 2012 as part of Liverpool City Council's cost-cutting measures.
Many Beatles landmarks can be found in Woolton, including John Lennon's childhood home and Strawberry Field. It is also generally believed that Lennon first met Paul McCartney at St Peter's garden fete in Woolton on 6 July 1957. Woolton has a number of churches, including St Mary's, St Peter's, and St James's. The Catholic schools St Francis Xavier's and St Julie's are located in Woolton. The pizza restaurant Crust, which maintains locations in Woolton and on Bold Street in the city centre, won "Best Pizza in the UK" at the 2019 Italian Awards.

Landmarks

is the nearest railway station on the southern boundary of Woolton, with local services on the southern route of the Manchester to Liverpool line between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Oxford Road, and also Merseyrail's Northern Line to Liverpool Central and Southport. Liverpool South Parkway, one and a half miles to the west of Woolton, serves the same lines in addition to Crewe and Birmingham stopping services. Bus services provide connections with Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the city centre, neighbouring districts and the broader Liverpool area.

Government

The elected councillors for Woolton are Cllrs Mark Norris, Colin McAlley, and Barbara Mace.

Notable people