WOODBRIDGE, Suffolk, a market-town and port, and the seat of a Poor-Law Union, in the parish of Woodbridge, is situated on the right bank of the river Deben, where it expands into an ,estuary, in 52° 6' N. lat., 1° 19' E. long., distant 8 miles E.N.E. from Ipswich, and 77 miles N.E. by E. from London. The population of the town of Woodbridge in 1851 was 5161. The living is a vicarage in the archdesconry of Suffolk and diocese of Norwich. Woodbridge Poor Law Union contains 46 parishes and townships, with an area of 80,761 acres, and a population in 1851 of 23,660.
The town is lighted with gas and well paved. The market-place is spacious ; in the centre of it is an ancient shire or sessions hall, in which quarter-sessions for the division are held. The church is a , handsome edifice of early perpendicular character, built chiefly of black flint, and has a large square tower built of flint and stone, 180 feet high. A new church was opened in 1846. There are places of worship for Wesleyan Methodists, Independents, Baptists, and Quakers.
There are Free, Nations], British, and Infant schools, a mechanics institute, and a savings bank. There are extensive almshouses of the Sekford charity, built about 10 years since at the cost of nearly 20,000/. Wednesday is the market-day for corn, cattle, and provisions. Fairs are held on April 5th and October 23rd ; that held in April is a large horse-fair. There are a custom-house, a lecture and temperance hall, a small theatre, and barracks; and near the town is a bridewell. The /estuary of the Deben is here navigable for small coasting-vessels; the tide flows above the town. Corn, malt, and flour are exported; and coal, timber, and general merchandise Imported. The number and tonnage of vessels registered as belonging to the port on December 31st 1854, were :— Of and under 50 tons 30, tonnage 1007; above 50 tone 34, tonnage 2396. The entries at the port during 1854 were :—Inwards, 543 vessels, tonnage 28,293; outwards, 380 vessels, tonnage 19,399.