The former hamlet grew as new industries, roads and railways came to the area in the Victorian era with Woolston formally incorporated into the borough of Southampton in 1920.

[citation needed] The former hamlet grew as new industries, roads and railways came to the area in the Victorian era with Woolston formally incorporated into the borough of Southampton in 1920.

However, as the bus terminal that served passengers boarding and departing the Woolston ferry was no longer required, it was demolished and made way for houses to be built.

In the 21st century Woolston's Vosper Thorneycroft shipyard closed and a new development, Centenary Quay, was built on the site.

[5] Many locations generally considered part of Woolston, including the railway station and the Millennium Garden, are in the neighbouring Peartree ward.

[6] The Woolston ward is within the Southampton Itchen parliamentary constituency, represented in the House of Commons by Darren Paffey of the Labour Party since 2024.

[7] The Victoria Road shipyard site was acquired by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) in March 2003.

[9] The South East England Development Agency subsequently announced plans for the site, to be split into two sections: The marine and commercial section will include several quays for vessels: The redevelopment of the waterside site may rejuvenate the shopping area, but has also been predicted to place extra burden on the Itchen Bridge and cause extra congestion in Woolston.

Phase one consists of creating family housing to the east of the site, as well as establishing a frontage to Victoria Road.

Clearing that brownfield site was a major exercise, complicated by old munitions, including Mustard Gas shells which had been buried in the ground and asbestos.

Its focal point is a 10-metre tall metal and recycled glass feather intended to signify Woolston's history of flight and sail.

[15] Southampton City College operates a Marine Skills Centre on Hazel Road which runs vocational courses (usually for 16+ pupils).

[19] Costing £5.7 million, the high-level concrete bridge spans 107 m between its central pillars and carries two lanes of traffic 24 m above the river, allowing large vessels to proceed further upstream to the wharfs and quays in Northam.