Reasons To Love Woolwich: 110 And Counting
Bao buns at Vib Bar on Beresford Square. They were delish!
The project continues. I really thought I’d have more than 110 by now but I’ve had to delete some entries because they no longer exist. Sad face. But the search must go on!
A gentler reminder that this list is in no particular order and you’ll need to scroll to the end to find some of the new entries.
1. The Royal Woolwich Arsenal. A magnificent collection of old military buildings by the Thames, now a great place to live in or visit.
2. Public. The new kid, brought to us by the good people at Street Feast. The old covered market has been given such a great new lease of life that now the campaign is on to save the old girl from demolition. I hope it’s successful!
3. The Dial Arch pub. The original pioneer and still a firm favourite for many. Spend a warm evening with your mates, around a table out the front. Summer perfection.
4. Curry Asia. In Woolwich since 1962. Boasts a delectable range of curries, served by friendly and efficient waiters.
5. London City Airport is only two DLR stops away. Which makes it three stops from Woolwich to Madrid, Paris, Milan, and many others. See my post on where to go.
6. The Woolwich Ferry. The vessels are John, Ernest, and James and they’re from the 1960s. And it’s free. It recently celebrated its 50th year.
7. Maccas in Powis Street. It was the very first McDonald’s in the U.K. opening on Nov. 13, 1974. There’s even a plaque out the front.
8. Kailash Momo, the Tibetan restaurant on Woolwich New Road. Order a plate of momos, and relish the exquisite flavours.
9. Woolwich Market, Beresford Square. Bargains, and fresh fruit and vegetables (“tray o’bananas a pound,” says the man). Looking good after its facelift and now with some street-food vans such as Namaste (momos and noodles).
10. Woolwich Coffee Lounge. A friendly and independent cafe, facing onto General Gordon Square. A great place for people watching. Follow @CoffeeLoungeSE
11. Thamesclippers. You can start a meandering and watery and journey to central London from Woolwich pier. A delightful alternative to rail. Coffee and wine on board. Cheerful staff who can sling ropes.
12. General Gordon Square. A rejuvenated public space that fills with locals when the sun comes out.
13. Sam’s Chicken. Your friend at 1am when nearly all else is shut. A chicken wrap and a box of strips please!
14. The Woolwich Pigeon, our very own feathered legend of Twitter. Follow the beaked one at @WoolwichPigeon
15. CrossRail is coming! It will take 52 minutes to get to Heathrow. Just two stops to Canary Wharf. Flats at the Arsenal are already priced accordingly. Deadline December 2018.
16. Polytechnic Street. Beautifully preserved, stunning architecture, hardly anyone ever walks down it. A hidden gem. Could someone please open a tapas bar there?
17. Saturday night dancing in the back room at the Earl of Chatham. Five quid at the door and loads of fun. The Earl itself does a decent lunch and dinner, too. Follow @TheEarlWoolwich
18. BedNBreakfast, a catering service that delivers breakfast right to your doorstep or your desk. Also now delivering roasts! www.bednbreakfasttt.co.uk
19. The mighty and ancient Thames, which separates the Woolwich we know from the mysterious land known as North Woolwich. Vikings sailed up it, you know. Actual Vikings.
20. Viet Baguette (formerly An) now in a new location at 17 Anglesea Road. Fresh and tasty Vietnamese dishes. Healthy, delicious, and cheap and now with booze and loos!
21. Powis Street, especially on a Saturday. No cars, lots of people, decent (and improving) shops, everyone is out and about.
22. The former Granada Cinema (Gala Bingo) building on Powis Street. Built in the late 1930s, with a lavish interior, and heritage-listed in 1974.
23. It’s a five-minute bus ride to the Valley, Charlton Athletic’s home ground.
24. SE18 has its own community choir, The Woolwich Singers. The choir rehearses every Wednesday evening in the Woolwich Town Hall. Follow @WoolwichSingers for details and updates.
25. Community spirit. I hope people took lots of photos of the Woolwich Wall (at the Great Harry) before the council covered it up. We love Woolwich! Photos of the wall can be seen in Woolwich Coffee Lounge.
The Charlton Lido is one of London’s few outdoor heated 50-metre pools (pic courtesy of a slightly shivering Steve Toole).
26. Great walking trails. The Green Chain and Capital Ring weave through Woolwich, taking you through green spaces to Plumstead, Eltham, Charlton and beyond. I once walked all the way to Teddington (not in one day mind).
27. Woolwich has its own cocktail (okay, I invented it). The Woolwich Bullseye. Equal parts gin, pinot grigio, Caribbean Crush, pineapple and coconut juice. A fresh raspberry for the bullseye. Lots of ice.
28. The splashy fun water feature at General Gordon Square. Kids run up and down it when the sun comes out, shoes off, and loving it!
29. Woolwich Common. A bucolic open space for all to enjoy. A walk around it is a tonic. Beautiful blackberries in the summer, and sloes for your Christmas gin. Rather badly burned in the fires of the Summer of 2018, but nature has a way of striking back.
30. Bathway. A short street that runs off Polytechnic Street and features some great old buildings. Hope someone pops a cool cafe or bar in there soon.
31. Royal Arsenal Farmers Market. Superb range of locally made goodies. Now held twice monthly on Saturdays in the open space near the Heritage Centre. Follow @RAFarmersMkt for the market dates and location news.
32. The Royal Garrison Church of St. George. Bombed during the war. It now has a canopy that preserves the stunning mosaic work and it now holds open days. Well worth a visit. Follow @StGeorgesSE18
33. The Red Lion, Shooters Hill, is a short walk away. Charming pub inside,with a verdant beer garden out back for catching afternoon rays.
34. The Aperture Woolwich Photographic Society, established in 1892. Meets Tuesday nights at Shrewsbury House Community Centre, Shooters Hill.
35. Mallet’s Mortar. At 36 inches across, it’s one of the largest ever built in the world, but was never used in war. You’ll find it on the corner of Repository Road and Hillreach.
36. The Tecks Tailors clock on Artillery Place. You find out a lot about Woolwich’s past by looking up!
37. The grandly proportioned Woolwich Equitable House. See my post about the interior.
38. Assembly by Peter Burke, an arrangement of cast iron figures by the river at the Arsenal. Great public art. A little unnerving to walk past in the dark.
39. The library at the new Woolwich Centre. A well-subscribed, well-designed public facility.
40. Deus Lunus, our very own late-Roman statue. It was dug up by British troops in Alexandria in 1801, thrown onto an England-bound ship and ended up at the Arsenal. It’s opposite the Dial Arch, currently watching the Crossrail station get built.
41. The Greenwich Heritage Centre at the Arsenal. Special exhibitions are held during the year and the free permanent display tells the story of Woolwich and the Arsenal. A wonderful resource. Follow @GreenwichHC for updates about evening events.
42. Nike. A statue designed by Pavlos Angelos Kougioumtzis and given to the Royal Borough by the town of Ancient Olympia. You can admire it just inside the front gate of the Arsenal.
43. The sunsets. Local photographers capture wonderful sunsets on the river, on the Common, and from Shooters Hill.
44. The Royal Military Academy (1806) designed by James Wyatt in the medieval Gothic style. Beautiful listed buildings that are now residences.
45. The Tram Shed. A former tram shed that is now a community performing arts space. Home to GLYPT (Greenwich and Lewisham Young People’s Theatre).
46. The unusually long 18th-century ha-ha, a long brick-walled trench that was built to prevent livestock grazing on Woolwich Common from wandering into the Artillery Barracks. You’ll find it on Ha-Ha Road. It’s classified as a heritage-listed building.
47. The former firestation (in Sunbury Street) is a beautiful heritage-listed building (1887). It is a rare surviving example of architect Robert Pearsall’s work.
48. The Little Free Library on Red Lion Lane. Donate a book, borrow a book. It’s a tiny wee little thing, but part of a larger movement to get people reading again. Follow @LtlFreeLibrary
49. The cricket ground at the Royal Military Academy. It dates from the 1870s and after a long hiatus is now a home ground for Blackheath CC. During the season, the 3rd and 4th XIs play on Saturday afternoons and sometimes there’s a Sunday game.
Lovely local produce from Mike The Very Green Grocer.
50. Second Floor Studios And Arts, a vibrant hub of artists’ studios on Harrington Way down by the river. An open weekend is held annually (next one is in mid-2016). Meet the artists. Follow @2ndfloorstudios for news about classes, exhibitions, and events.
51. Friends Café and Love Lane Café in Woolwich. I’ve been to Love Lane (check out the courtyard in summer) but not made it to Friends yet. More than a few people recommend it for its inexpensive, homemade tucker.
52. It’s a short walk to Severndroog Castle, on Shooters Hill. A charming 18th-century folly that is now open to the public. At 432 feet, Shooters Hill is the 10th highest spot in London and features in Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities. On a clear day you can see the Shard. Find out more at www.severndroogcastle.org.uk and follow @severndroog
53. And when you get to Severndroog Castle, you’re in Oxleas Wood, an 8,000 year old forest with plenty of open space, too. Admire the magnificent views of Eltham from here.
54. The Roman settlement beside the Thames. Soon to mostly disappear under the Riverside apartments, though. Crossrail dug up bits of an old Roman timber bridge.
55. Percy Ingle, the bakery on Powis Street. A fifth-generation family business, which started in Hackney. Great sausage rolls!
56. A place in music history. The Beatles played here, at the Granada Cinema in 1963. New Order and The Damned played at the Coronet in the 1980s. Genesis played at the Poly. Stray Cats played at the Tramshed.
57. The Coronet Cinema, an Art Deco masterpiece (now owned by the New Wine Church). Opened as The Odeon in 1937. Pity it’s not still a cinema, but it’s a stunning building that appears to have been well cared for.
58. The Great Harry. The pub was all but destroyed during the 2011 riots, but has risen phoenix-like to become, once again, one of the liveliest pubs in Woolwich. Dependable, cheap food, and decent booze prices. The dunnies are surprisingly luxe.
59. The Royal Artillery Barracks, one of the many architecturally and historically significant buildings of which all in Woolwich should be proud. Boasts the longest Georgian facade in the U.K.
60. Ray Richardson, artist. Ray grew up in Woolwich and still lives and works here. His work is collected internationally and he regularly scoots off to work in France and Belgium. Follow @RayRichardson1 and view his work at rayrichardson.co.uk
61. The Woolwich Equitable, a fab pub from the Antic Collective, located in what was the main banking chamber for the Woolwich Equitable building society. The WE does great pub food, and holds regular live music and quiz nights as well as specially-themed nights. Find out more at www.woolwichpub.com and follow @TheWoolwich
62. Kebab Kingdom. A chicken doner saves the day/night at 2am. The chaps who run it have been serving up kebabby goodness to the denizens of Woolwich for more than a decade. They once wrote “lady” on my order, so they’re also a fine judge of character.
63. Twitter community. It’s growing! Search for the #Woolwich hashtag.
64. Thames Path. A serene and leafy walk along the river, east of the Arsenal. You can walk all the way into Central London on this path, without crossing a main road.
65. The Reach Indoor Climbing Wall. You can climb 11 metres! (You can, I’ll wait in the cafe). Word is that it’s a great centre and loads of fun.
66. Woolwich Town Hall. Impressive from the outside. The interior is stunning. A civic showpiece.
67. Just a few stops on the train takes you to Greenwich, Woolwich’s fancy but friendly neighbour and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Greenwich Park is one of the best places in London, with incredible views.
68. The Survey of London Volume 48, a huge tome about Woolwich. A wonderful record for posterity, produced under the aegis of English Heritage. Read my interview with the author.
69. Woolwich Dockyard. There are still visible traces of a rich shipbuilding past. See the blog www.thamesfacingeast.wordpress.com for a great post about the area.
70. Blackheath Village is a short bus or train ride away. I call it the Richmond of the Southeast. Farmers’ Market on Sundays. A great choice of cafes and restaurants. Also walk up over the heath to the Scullery Café at the Blackheath Standard.
71. Tall ships at Woolwich Pier. We fell in love with them during the Olympics and they came back this summer. Here’s hoping they’re back in 2016.
72. Charlton House (early 17th century) is just a short walk from Woolwich Common on the Green Chain. Beautiful gardens, with a cafe open midweek. The Old Cottage cafe is nearby, with a lovely view of the house and grounds.
73. The Rotunda. Originally set up in St James Park to host a reception party for a victory celebration after the Napoleonic Wars, prematurely as it turned out. Now located just off Repository Road.
74. The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, comprising more than 100 horses, seven officers and 164 soldiers. Often seen prancing around the streets of Woolwich, looking splendid.
75. Woolwich started the cooperative movement at the Royal Arsenal. The RACS building in Powis Street (now a Travelodge) is a reminder of its prominence. Its stunning facade has been well preserved.
76. Woolwich Foot Tunnel, opened in 1912. It’s about 500 metres long and makes the task of visiting North Woolwich a matter of a short walk. When you go, please check out the Royal Victoria Gardens. Also take a look at some of Simon’s other excellent suggestions in the comments below.
77. It’s a short walk along the Thames Path to Gallion’s Hill in Thamesmead. It’s a 20 metre high tor made from recycled excavations. The views are good and it’s a plane spotter’s paradise, being on one of London City Airport’s flight paths. They’re flying pretty darn low at that stage.
78. Meridian Radio. Operating since 1961 from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and now streaming online at www.meridianradio.co.uk. Great local news source and community vibe.
79. Queen’s Diner on Herbert Road (the Woolwich/Plumstead cusp). I can vouch for the breakfast baguette and the chicken fajitas. The place is almost always full so they must be doing something right.
80. Woolwich Babies. Check out the cute murals painted on shops’ shutters opposite General Gordon Square. A positive gesture after the 2011 riots.
81. The area is rich in fascinating historical street furniture including century-old horse troughs in Beresford Square, the 7 miles to Dartford sign on Shooters Hill, and the heritage-listed mounting block a bit further up Shooters Hill. The latter is thought to date from the 18th century.
82. Not far from the mounting block is The Bull (established 1749, rebuilt 1881). Much loved by locals, it’s a cosy retreat in which to rest and enjoy a pint after you’ve climbed Shooters Hill.
Dartford sign on Shooters Hill
83. The magnificent London Water Tower, with commanding views over Woolwich Common and beyond. Built in 1896, it was converted a few years ago into luxury self-service accommodation. Includes 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a rooftop observatory.
84. Woodlands Farm is within easy reach. It’s an 89-acre working farm, on land that was saved from housing developments by campaigners in the 1980s-90s. A wonderful community resource, protected by the Woodlands Farm Trust.
85. Swimming pools. There are two indoor pools at the Waterfront Leisure Centre (disclaimer: the building itself has no place in this list) and you’ll find London’s second 50-metre outdoor pool at the nearby Charlton Lido. And it’s heated!
86. We have our own range of SE18 loving tee-shirts. Check out the catalogue at @Coolwich on Twitter and Instagram, and follow the coolwich hashtag.
87. The Thames Barrier. One of life’s simple pleasures is gliding past these amazing structures on a Thamesclipper. The barrier was designed by Rendel Palmer and Tritton and completed in 1982.
88. The eponymous steam locomotive (1916). The Woolwich was built in Bristol for the Royal Arsenal and is now being restored in Abbey Wood by the Crossness Engines Trust. See www.therailwayproject.blogspot.co.uk.
89. The annual Bathway Theatre Festival, which features productions by third-year drama students at the University of Greenwich. Runs in May and June www.bathwaytheatre.co.uk.
90. It’s a short walk along the Thames Path to Bazalgette’s Crossness Pumping Station, opened in 1865. See www.crossness.org.uk for open days. An ornate Victorian interior and a fascinating place. There are several open days planned for 2013.
91. Mike The Very Green Grocer. Mike is a friendly chap who scours the Kent countryside, sourcing seasonal produce and locally-made gourmet goodies. He’s passionate about supporting Kentish farmers who, let’s face it, are just on our doorstep. He’s got a sleek website and delivers straight to your door. See www.theverygreengrocer.co.uk
92. Recently departed to bigger premises in Thamesmead, HopStuff will always be Woolwich to me. The magic started here, and continues to be consumed here. Follow @hopstuffbrewery for regular updates on which pubs are currently stocking their brews.
93. A short saunter into Plumstead brings you to 85-91 Genesta Road. This row of terraces is the early work of Berthold Lubetkin, the Tbilisi-born pioneer of modernist design in Britain. He also designed Dudley Zoo. The Royal Institute of British Architects now awards the Lubetkin Prize for International Architecture. Lubetkin himself won the RIBA Gold Medal in 1982. See www.themodernhouse.net/sales-list/genesta-road
94. If you want to run away and join the circus, you don’t have to run far. AirCraft Circus is near the Second Floor Studios in Woolwich. It runs circus skills classes for all ages. Find out more at www.aircraftcircus.com or follow @AirCraftCircus
95. Plumstead And Abbey Wood deserve their own 100 Reasons To Love (see responses below: a good start!). Among other cool things, this area just east of Woolwich has the Lesnes Abbey ruins and woods, and lots of other beautiful green spaces. An easy bus ride from Woolwich.
96. The Shrewsbury Tumulus. It sounds like something you need to see your doctor about, but it is in fact a Bronze Age barrow (or burial mound). You can find it at the start of Brinklow Crescent, protected by a high fence.
97. City View Restaurant at Shooters Hill Post-16 campus. Advanced catering students will cook up a feast as you admire the views of Woolwich and beyond. During term time, it’s a great place for lunch. The restaurants also hold fine dining nights where the students really pull out all the stops and show what they can do. Find out more at www.shootershill.ac.uk/restaurant and check out my post.
98. Blue Nile Café. This Eritrean-Italian restaurant opened in early 2014. Check out the fabulous original 1935 butcher’s shop interior, made groovy and welcoming by the owners’ architect son. Food’s lovely too! For more see www.bluenilecafe.co.uk and follow on Twitter @bluenile73 and please read my post.
99. Koffees and Kream, a café that opened in April 2014 in Calderwood Street. A positive addition to an under-subscribed area of Woolwich. I can recommend the Mediterranean Breakfast. See my post.
100. A very short walk from Woolwich is Café Deluxe in Plumstead. The extensive menu is available in English, Romanian and Russian, and there’s a distinctive central European theme to the food. Entertainment includes karaoke and live music. Kick the weekend off with a shot of Moldovan vodka called Firestarter!
101. Taproom, for great local beer and wine (the house white is the utterly delicious Ortega by Kent-based Biddenden) in a heritage setting on the Arsenal. The pizzas are freshly made and fabulous. Follow @TaproomSe18
102. Plumstead Pantry is a short walk away or a brief ride on the 51 or 53 bus. A friendly and fabulous café that emphasises local produce and great coffee. It’s open for all-day brunch and now also for dinner. Follow @PlumPantry
103. If you fancy a beer after your Plumstead Pantry breakfast, head across the common to The Star. Recently renovated without removing its original charm, this cosy pub does great food and boasts a sunny beer garden. Also holds comedy nights. Details @ThePlumstead
104. The Guard House at the Arsenal has had mixed reviews but it makes this list for its outdoor area. Try it on a warm day and order an Aperol Spritz. Follow @The_Guardhouse
105. Granier Bakery and Café, Powis Street. This is Spain-based Granier’s second foray into the UK market (after Wood Green) and its sells a tasty range of bread and pastries. A positive sign that Woolwich’s main street might be on the up.
106. The Roses, a group for Woolwich and Plumstead women. A great way to meet neighbours and make friends, especially if you’re new to the area (and let’s face it, many of us are). Follow them @TheRosesWI or search under “Woolwich and Plumstead, The Roses Ladies Group” on Facebook.
107. It’s a short walk/drive to Bunker 51 in North Greenwich, for all your laser tag and paintball needs. Apparently it’s a hoot. Military-themed Bunker 51 does kids’ and adults’ parties, with food/drink offerings such as a Wartime Feast. Basic Rations include hot dogs and burgers (pretty lush for wartime; I was expecting stale bread with dripping). The Officers’ Buffet sounds even better, but then those chaps always knew how to look after themselves. Email info@ultimaterecreation.co.uk
108. Under 1 Roof, an urban oasis for kids. It’s on the Arsenal and has a café, soft play area, messy play area, sensory room, and all sorts of other things that kids love. Also houses an 84-berth nursery. Not sure if “berth” is the right word, but you know what I mean. Follow @under1roofkids for details.
109. Fishyard And Steak. This restaurant on Powis Street has already struck a positive chord with hungry locals, and not just expat Northerners pining for decent fish and chips. The owner has sought quality ingredients and I can’t wait to try it. Follow on Twitter at @FishYardSteak
110. Vib Bar. While it’s not really a bar yet because it’s waiting for a booze license, this cute-as-a-button place facing onto Beresford Square is already winning fans for its delicious bao buns and delightful outdoor area. Follow at @Vib_Bar
towiwoolwich 
Reason 7. I was there that day & met Ronald McDonald. (I had no idea who he was though – and would have nothing to do with him).
I don’t blame you. He’s scary!
I just discovered The Chef House today. Awesome little cafe. It’s in the Westminster Industrial Estate on the way to Art Hub Studios.
Two more reasons to love Woolwich.
71. ‘The Gathering’ sculpture beside the Clipper Pier. Designed by Antony Gormley (who created Newcastle’s iconic ‘Angel of the North’ statue) the figures represent the people of Woolwich. Reflecting the area’s iron works of the past – whilst the figures capsule nature reflect the future – the figures draw closer together, the closer the are to the centre of the circle – just as it is, in the heart of Woolwich.
72. The Thames Path & Cycle Track – takes you all the way from Dartford in the East, to Greenwich in the West. A gorgeous way to spend a few hours on bike, or the day on foot. Take in the Dockyards, the Thames Barrier & Barrier Park and the O2 in route.
73. Victorian Boating Ramp. Only visible at low-tide beneath the Royal Artillery Quays apartment blocks, this cobbled ramp gives a glimpse of life as it was, before the Woolwich low-lands were forever cut off from the Thames by the embankments. Used by local fishermen & traders.
74. Derelict Wharves. The first of these (next to the Leisure Centre) once serviced the Woolwich Power Station, where the skatepark now sits. Now home to many geese & seagulls.
The second, sitting far out into the mudflats beneath the Royal Artillery Quays – once took delivery of iron from all over Britain to create the canons at the Arsenal.
The third, and by far largest wharf, jutting like a large ‘L’ into the river – was for coal deliveries – to fire the Arsenals furnaces night & day. Special train tracks were constructed to & from the Arsenal along the river, some of which can still be seen today! Including at…
75. The Ordinance Canal running paralell to Winchat Road. A retractable rail-bridge once crossed this lock – just where the canal the reached the Thames. The Bridge remains intact (although drawn-back onto scrub-land) to this day.
76. While you’re beside the lock, why not cross the road & take a stroll beside the Winchat Park Lake? Surely once of the successes to come from Thamesmead’s 1960’s urban landscaping initiatives.
77. Gallions’ Hill. Take the spiral path to the top of Gallions’ Hill for commanding & uninterupted views of Woolwich, Plumstead, the Thames – from Essex in the East to the Shard in the West. Also a plane-spotters paradise, sitting as it does within an arms-length of City Airport’s flight path.
78. The Woolwich Foot Tunnel. Hidden from view behind the Leisure Centre, the Grand Domed entrance to the foot-tunnel now only hints at what a Victorian Splendor it once was. Allowed to fall into decay by successive short-sited councils – the foot-tunnel still functions perfectly well – allowing you to walk beneath the Thames in only 10 short minutes to North Woolwich.
79. Royal Victoria Gardens at North Woolwich. Beautiful mature park beside the Thames has much for kids to play on & is a welcome surprise in what can otherwise be a characterless corner of Woolwich.
80. The remains of the original roman stone fort which formed the basis of the Arsenal, are still plainly visible today. ‘Protected’ by only a knee-height chain-link barrier and a sign asking that people not climb on it – the foundation stones can be found beside ‘The Gathering’ statues, at the riverside.
Brilliant, thanks for those superb suggestions. Will work most of those into the final list to be sure. I thought Peter Burke was the artist for those statues. Did google lie to me?!
Either Google lied to you, or Wikipedia lied to me. Either way… They’re kinda cool. Took me two years to find out what they were & meant though. I thought it was an Iron Maiden Graveyard till then! Haha! It so needs a plaque.
The Gathering is actually called The Assembley and is by Peter Burke, not Antony Gormley. Plaque to that effect at the base of one of the statues – still a great asset!
I would add the Wolwich Rotunda to the list. It’s an amazing structure, designed by John Nash who was also responsible for lots of London architecture such as Regent Street and Marble Arch. It used to contain the Royal Artillery museum before it moved to Firepower, but is now a boxing gym for the army.
Also the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society, which started in the Woolwich Arsenal. One of Woolwich’s contributions to the development of mutualism. The statue of Alexander McLeod in front of the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society building was by sculptor Alfred Drury who also did the statue of Joshua Reynolds in the courtyard of the Royal Academy amongst other things.
And could I suggest the Kings Troop Royal Artillery? I know they sometimes slow down traffic, but I always get a thrill when I see the horses exercising on the roads round Woolwich and Shooters Hill. I once opened my front door in the morning to see about thirty horses going past.
Great post! I also suggest Charlton Lido, southeast London’s 50m outdoor pool.
The much nicer Bull pub (at the very top of Shooters Hill) deserves a place in your top 10, a great selection of well kept, fine ales, lovely beer garden and always a warm welcome from the friendly staff. Also where’s Shrewsbury House Community Centre? One of the boroughs great community assets.
Fair enough, good suggestion. Does the Bull do food? I’ve been in there a few times, and liked it very much. Got the sense that food is served out the back, is that right?
Also, can you tell me a bit about Shrewsbury House please? I’ll add it in the next round. Thanks!
A wee bit further up the road, but Spice Island in Plumstead serves amazing curry, and lovely views over Plumstead Common; also the Plumstead Making Merry Festival has great atmosphere too!
You’ve done a great job getting this far. What about Woolwich home of mutualism in England with the formation of RACs. Did you mention Tom Cribbs the boxer?
Re no56….and the Stray cats played The Tram Shed. Check out the link below:-
http://www.muzu.tv/straycatskijwusr7zq/runaway-boys-music-video/579837/
Tesco extra. Nothing you can’t buy and 24 hour shopping. I never get caught out now!
You’ve got to love the passion of anyone who can put together such a list for Woolwich. Great blog… will enjoy reading, Ian.
Thanks Ian. I’ll keep going until I get to 100!
Totally brilliant blog that, as a Plumstead person, I really enjoyed reading!
Possible additions –
94. “Woolwich has a fantastic skate park which is located near the Ferry. Stuff of boy dreams, where bikes and skateboards can be thrown about a lot and you will see tricks a plenty! Your children will really enjoy it and you can read a book while thy play!”
95. The artists etc. workshops nearby (not quite sure what they are called but near the skate park!!) are used by many of my arty friends and are apparently very reasonable.
96. Nearby is the vibrant and culturally rich town of Plumstead with amazing fruit and veg shops and the newly opened International Supermarket where the Electric Ballroom used to be. Great selection of foods and gorgeous fresh bred. Many buses from Woolwich and only a couple of stops. Cheap places to eat and the best fruit and veg shop around “Superfruits” on Conway Road. Great selection with fruits you have never heard of and really friendly staff. Lovely incense too!!
Thanks Jonquil and sorry for the delayed reply. I think I need to investigate Plumstead, and also Welling. Superfruits sounds awesome!
Superfruits is awesome – great selection and price!
I love Woolwich & Plumstead. I’d add some nearbys, ruins of Lesnes Abbey in Abbey Wood, Bronze Age burial mounds on Winns Common and Shrewsbury Hill, great south Indian food at the Lotus Club in Burrage Road, historic Art Deco car plant (now derelict but for a car wash) near the ferry roundabout, Plumstead Common and the rope swing park on Plumstead Common Road, new Travelodge n Powis in renovated building and with slick, though underused, cafe, new Tesco building with free parking and lots of new people brought in to the centre in swish new flats.
Thanks Martin, and sorry for the delayed reply. I’ve been busy! We’ll have to pay Lotus Club a visit, love Indian food. Will also investigate the Bronze Age burial mounds.
I might have missed it but I’d add Aircraft Circus down near The Reach – http://www.aircraftcircus.com
Circus skills lessons for kids and adults and brilliant shows.
Thank you! I’ll add it now. Number 94!
Just want to throw out a general and heartfelt thanks to all the ace suggestions above! Sorry I’ve taken a while to respond, busy daily life has been keeping me from the blog a bit. You’ve reminded me that I need to get out and explore Plumstead a whole lot more. I wonder if anyone does a Plumstead blog. If not, someone should! It needs to be put on the map a bit more I reckon. One of London’s hidden gems.
Try the chilli momo at Namaste (just by Plumstead Station) – Amazing!
Thanks Kelly I will. I love the momos that Namaste on the Wheel serves at the Beresford Square market. I wonder if it’s the same people?
I thinj they are the same people, the food is so good! Also try Danfe on the corner by the station, you could do a momo crawl!
Momo crawl! A great idea, except that one serve is all I can manage. Yum!
This is amazing can you please do this for abbeywood? I’ve lived here all my life and never really explored to level you seem to have with your list!
101 – the Little Free Library in Red Lion Lane Woolwich!
Hi Kate, I added the Little Free Library. It replaces one of my cocktails !
So cool! Thank you – maybe I should open a cocktail bar alongside the library…?
hi,
Nice list of places in woolwich.
You mention Shrewsbury House Community Centre think it deserves a nice mention as irs a hidden gem of woolwich, not a lot of people have heard of it.
http://www.shrewsburyhouse.org/shrewsbury-house-history/introduction/
http://www.shrewsburyhouse.org/shrewsbury-house-history/listed-status/
http://www.shrewsburyhouse.org/shrewsbury-house-history/annexe-building/
Fantastic place thats used as a Communiity centre, still in very good condtion and with most of the original woodwork, ceilings etc still intact.
I was born there 😉
You seemed to have .missed out the most wonderful Italian restaurant in London which is Con Gusto and is based in one of the two old guard houses at the end of No 1 St on The Royal Arsenal next to the Clipper stop. The other guard house is now a music studio so both deserve a mention. I had my birthday party this April in Con Gusto which turned out to be a wonderful occasion with the most amazing food. Ps I also love the Cornerstone Cafe which is mentioned.
I agree re Con Gusto. Your comment is a reminder to me that I must update my blog!