Plumstead and Woolwich

Plumstead offers multi-cultural living in an exceptionally well connected location. Set with the River Thames as a backdrop, Plumstead, with neighbouring Woolwich and Shooters Hill, is a great place for first-time buyers and families looking for value for money, as property prices in this part of London are considerably lower than elsewhere. Plumstead’s heart lies at Plumstead Common, a wide open space in the centre of the town. It is where Arsenal Football Club was founded, with a team of men from the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich training on the common from 1886 and 1913. Ex-Arsenal footballer Ian Wright is from Woolwich, while snooker player Steve Davies and musician Tinie Tempah are from Plumstead. Woolwich is subject to one of the biggest regeneration projects in London, with the town centre and the Royal Arsenal being central focuses.

Plumstead and Woolwich Property market

Today, the majority of properties in Plumstead and Woolwich are owned by landlords. With the regeneration of Woolwich and the forthcoming Crossrail, the properties there are extremely ideal for commuters and families. With the demand for properties exceeding the supply we have many customers looking for properties in these areas. Development plans are made daily providing more excellent investment opportunities and affordable starter homes. Just call our Property Specialists to find out more.

Since 2008 there have been planning applications for more than 4,000 new homes and 14,000 sq ft of new retail space. Plumstead and Woolwich boast varied housing options, from affordable flats and maisonettes, two up, two down period-built properties, up market riverside apartments and more substantial family properties around Plumstead Common and Shooters Hill. Woolwich is the place to head for converted, historic apartments. As well as the numerous warehouse-style apartments at Royal Arsenal Riverside, the Royal Military Academy - established by King George II and built in 1806 as a new campus for its elite tutors and aspiring pupils – has been turned into desirable residences.

Plumstead and Woolwich Shopping

Take a trip to Plumstead High Street to have your senses awakened as it’s a melting pot of cultures and nationalities. Food and clothing stores from every corner of the world are represented, including English, Indian, Nepalese, Pakistani, Afro Caribbean and Nigerian. Woolwich is going through a major redevelopment and regeneration, with a revitalised High Street attracting established retail brands. Woolwich also has the largest Tesco store in Europe.

Plumstead and Woolwich Attractions

Plumstead and Woolwich are very urban environments but they both enjoy green open spaces. Plumstead Common has tennis courts, a rugby pitch and a lawn bowls club, while the Plumstead Make Merry and other community festivals are held on the common. Neighbouring Winn’s Common is a more rugged area with a fitness trail. Woolwich Common regularly hosts fairgrounds and circuses. Oxleas Woods and Shrewsbury Park can be found between Shooters Hill and Plumstead. Woolwich Army Barracks, just off of Woolwich Common, was selected to host the shooting events at the 2012 Olympics. The military theme continues at the Royal Arsenal, which is home to Firepower – an interactive museum detailing the UK’s war history.

Plumstead and Woolwich Food and Drink

Residents can sample a plethora of international cuisines with a host of take-aways, informal dine-in outlets and formal restaurants. Woolwich's claim to gastronomic fame is it's branch of McDonalds was the first to ever to open in Britain. There is also a drive-through McDonalds in Plumstead. Drinkers are spoilt for choice. The Old Mill on Plumstead Common is a community pub that retains part of the original mill attached to Plumstead Manor while the newly refurbished Star Inn on Plumstead Common has a superb food and drink menu. Royal Arsenal is home to a brand new Young’s pub and restaurant called Dial Arch, a Tesco Express and the Cornerstone Café, with a Geronimo restaurant and a new hotel in the planning.

Plumstead and Woolwich History

Woolwich is steeped in military history as it was home to the Royal Arsenal – the most important munitions and military equipment factory during the WWI period. The 76-acre site is now known as Royal Arsenal Riverside and is home to many listed buildings that have been converted into warehouse-style flats by developer Berkeley. Most of Plumstead’s history centres on Plumstead Manor – now part of a secondary school but most of the original manor house remains. The manor has been used as a pawn in historical wrangles, passing in ownership between King Edgar, Earl Godwin, King Edward the Confessor, King Harold,William the Conqueror, Henry VI of England and Henry VIII.

Plumstead and Woolwich Council Tax

Plumstead and Woolwich are both located in the London borough of Greenwich, and the latest council tax charges can be found here

Plumstead and Woolwich Hospitals

Woolwich is home to the borough’s major hospital – Queen Elizabeth.

Plumstead and Woolwich Transport links

Public transport has improved drastically in recent years. The mainline railway (Woolwich line) runs through Plumstead and Woolwich, and arrives in London Bridge in 20 minutes, then on to Cannon Street or Charing Cross (via Waterloo East). Woolwich has a DLR station and is a stop on the river taxi service. The Royal Arsenal estate is also the designated site for a Crossrail station, where journey times to Canary Wharf in 8 minutes, Bond Street in 22 minutes and Heathrow in 50 minutes are forecast. Plumstead and Woolwich are both well served by bus routes, taking passengers either into central London or out into Kent for Bluewater shopping centre. The free Woolwich Ferry is well used to get to East London and City Airport.

Plumstead and Woolwich Education

Plumstead and Woolwich are densely populated areas so there’s no shortage of schools, as well as a large presence from the University of Greenwich. Schools include: