OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
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ROADS AND STREETS IN OLD PLYMOUTH - A-Z INDEX

WOOLSTER STREET

Woolster Street, Plymouth, was a continuation of Notte Street between the junction with High Street and Vauxhall Street.

The dangerous corner between Woolster Street
 and Vauxhall Street, September 1954.
The corner of the Ring of Bells Public House is on the left.
©  City of Plymouth Museum and Art Gallery.

R N Worth claimed that Woolster Street had previously been known as Winchelsea Street.

It was named as "Wolster Street" in Town Rental for 1706.  The authors of "The Place-Names of Devon" have suggested that it may indicate that it was the place where woolsters or wool staplers gathered during the 17th century.

On Donn's map of Plymouth in 1765 Woolster Street is shown as a continuation of Vintry Street, which was itself a continuation of Notte Street.  Eventually Vintry Street got absorbed into Woolster Street.

Some archaeological excavations carried out between 1963 and 1969 revealed that the land occupied by Woolster Street had been recovered from an arm of Sutton Pool probably as long ago as 13the century.  The foundations of a massive wall, almost six feet thick, were unearthed going out over what was then water and the building it supported had an extensive drainage system 'of unexpected complexity'.  Mr James Barber MA FSA, the leader of the dig, concluded that 'not until sometime after 1525 AD did the progressive silting up of the inlet finally block the drains, helping to induce a further period of intensive reclamation'.  Around 1550 the quay was moved about forty feet forward into the creek.

The ruins of The Old Ring of Bells in Woolster Street, Plymouth.
©  The Western Morning News Company Limited.

Although pieces of pottery and clay pipes were found there was no real indication of what the building had been used to store.  Given the road's later name one could speculate that it was from this quay that wool was exported, before Shepherd's Wharf was constructed.

Woolster Street is strongly linked to the famous Hawkins family.  In 1542/43 Mr William Hawkins purchased the Manor of Sutton Valletort, or Vautort, off Sir Hugh Pollard for 1,000 marks.  This would have included the area of Woolster Street and the former Grey Friar's building.

There were several notable buildings in Woolster Street: the Mayoralty House; The Old Ring of Bells; the Mitre Tavern; and The Exchange.

For a list of the occupants of Woolster Street in 1812 CLICK HERE.

For a list of the occupants of Woolster Street in 1852 CLICK HERE