The northern part of the district belongs to the basin of the Pasha, a left tributary of the Svir.

Staraya Ladoga, currently a selo located in the district, was mentioned in 862, as one of five original Russian towns (the other being Belozersk, Novgorod, Polotsk, and Rostov).

In 1776, the area was transferred to Novgorod Viceroyalty, and in 1781, it was moved back into Saint Petersburg Governorate.

On December 9, 1922 the administrative center of the uyezd was moved to the selo of Gostinopolye, which was renamed Volkhov and was granted town status.

In 1924 the changes were rolled back, the administrative center moved to Novaya Ladoga, and Volkhov was demoted to a selo (eventually renamed Gostinopolye).

On August 1, 1927, the uyezds were abolished and Volkhovsky District, with the administrative center in the urban-type settlement of Zvanka, was established.

On December 27, 1933 the urban-type settlement of Zvanka was granted town status and renamed Volkhovstroy.

On September 19, 1939 Volkhovstroy was made a town of oblast significance, and on April 11, 1940, it was renamed Volkhov.

Between October and December 1941, during World War II, parts of the district were occupied by German troops.

[9] On August 1, 1927, Mginsky District, with the administrative center in the settlement of Mga, was established.

Between September 1941 and January 1944, during World War II, parts of the district were occupied by German troops.

[14] Agriculture in the district specializes on cattle breeding, with meat and milk production, and on fish farming.

Another railway line passing through Volkhov connects Chudovo in the south and Lodeynoye Pole, Petrozavodsk, and ultimately Murmansk in the north.

The M18 highway, connecting Saint Petersburg and Murmansk, crosses the northern part of the district.

In Kiselnya, a road branches off southeast and proceeds via Volkhov, Tikhvin, and Cherepovets to Vologda.