Has anyone done sound deadening on the boot of the vrs? the boot trim is an annoyance for one, but the road noise seems to be high as the boot space is so big and empty.

Mk1 VRS isn't known for high road noise. I would suspect you have noisy tyres or a wheel bearing problem.

Seconded, road noise isn't an issue for me. Certainly not to the point of wanting to make it better soundproofed.

Reviews i read of the mk1 octavia mentioned that road noise can be bad at higher speeds..

If you go for a ride in a Golf or an A3 you'll notice how much quieter they are

They have noticeably more sound proofing (along with a higher kerb weight too)

Alot of noise does come through the boot floor, but also through cab floor too

+1 on road noise... Both my mk1 and my fathers. When he bought his after owning an audi 80 sport for years the road noise was such an annoyance that he asker me to dynamat his car. I find you can hear it most from the rear doors/wheel arches the most. They are certainly no 80's tin bin but compared to some other cars (wife's mk5 golf, saab93/95etc) deffo higher road noise. I've currently got a bulk box of dynamat and 2 door kits to go in when I get a spare afternoon.

I did a bit.

 

http://www.pimpmyskoda.co.uk/SoundDeadening.htm

Maybe I'm going deaf, or perhaps it is also something to do with British roads...

Well i find it more noisy at higher speeds 50+, no wheel bearing problems i don't think but i do have crap tyres on the rear, got f1's up front.

Tyres do make a fair difference, I pay pretty close attention to the ratings these days.

Yea mate, from rear seats back and in boot hatch