An extension of the Midlothian town of Dalkeith, Woodburn principally comprises a large public housing estate located on the east bank of the River South Esk. It was built on the site of the former Woodburn House, a property of the Marquis of Lothian, after World War II to provide better housing for miners working in the local collieries, which are now all closed. The district benefits from a library, community centre, leisure centre and primary school.
Lying to the north are the Thornybank Industrial Estate and the Dalkeith Schools Community Campus, which opened in 2004 and comprises three distinct schools; namely Dalkeith High School, St David's Roman Catholic High School and Saltersgate Special School.
