What you need to know about Woolwich
Forming part of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Woolwich is a district positioned at the top of the borough between the areas of Charlton to the south west and Plumstead to the south east. Woolwich is situated just over 8 miles from Charing Cross.
In 2021, the average property price in Woolwich stood at £390,076. This is lower than both the average price across the Royal Borough of Greenwich as a whole, which stood at £511,246 during the same period, and the district of Greenwich, which boasted an average property price of £620,790. Woolwich is slightly more expensive than Thamesmead, which is located to the north east of Woolwich and is where average property prices stood at £365,523 during the same period.
Most properties sold in Woolwich recently were flats, which fetched an average price of £346,364. Terraced properties in Woolwich reached an average price of £458,692, and semi-detached properties in the area sold for £449,431 on average. Overall, sold prices fell by 5% in Woolwich when compared to the previous year and by 12% since 2018 when prices peaked at £444,045.
What is living in Woolwich like?
Woolwich has been home to communities of people from at least the Iron Age period. Old Woolwich was home to an Anglo-Saxon settlement beside the River Thames, however much of the old town no longer exists today. At the start of the 19th century, the administrative and commercial centre of Woolwich was moved to the Bathway Quarter, which is where many of the area's notable architectural structures can be admired. This includes the Art Deco splendour of what was once the Odeon Cinema.
Many of Woolwich's parks are on the compact side, however they are often beautifully formed. St Mary's Gardens, for example has been designed in a Romantic style and contains a belvedere offering sweeping views across the River Thames.
Woolwich Common and Shooter's Hill were once home to myriad grand residences and although a few still remain, including Woodhill Court and Shrewsbury House, their impressive gardens have been lost. But that's not to say that there isn't a wide variety of property available in Woolwich today. In fact, the area is continuing to undergo extensive regeneration projects, including new developments offering luxury apartments ideal for young professionals wanting to take their first step onto the property ladder.
Woolwich is home to a variety of local pubs, cafés and restaurants specialising in everything from French cuisine to British classics. Beresford Square hosts a market, which is well worth a visit as it's home to traders with tasty offerings from around the world, and shoppers will find a range of recognisable and independent retailers positioned along the area's main shopping streets.
Living in Woolwich pros and cons
Pro: Home to an array of notable locations
As the area has been consistently inhabited since the Iron Age, Woolwich has a rich and lengthy history making it one of the most interesting parts of South East London. The Bathway Quarter is a conservation area filled with Grade II listed buildings, including Woolwich Town Hall which is an example of Edwardian Baroque architecture with a 40m tall clock tower.
After a period of decline, investment in and around Woolwich has helped it on its way to becoming one of Greater London's metropolitan centres. This investment included the redevelopment of the Royal Arsenal, which now boasts quality apartments, cafés, restaurants and shops, parks, a riverside walk, and a frequent farmers' market.
Con: Open spaces are on the small side
Part of Woolwich Common is closed to the public because it is used as military training grounds, including the scenic area around the lake. Shooter's Hill golf course and Mulgrave Pond are also used by the military, limiting access to the public.
Additionally, while the area around the Royal Arsenal now boasts several new gardens and landscaped parks, some are only accessible to Royal Arsenal residents.
Pro: Good transport links
Woolwich Dockyard railway station and Woolwich Arsenal railway station are served by a selection of Southeastern train services offering travel to the likes of Charing Cross, Cannon Street, Dartford, Gravesend, and Barnehurst. Woolwich Arsenal railway station also benefits from Docklands Light Railway services which connect the area to Stratford International, Bank, and London City Airport.
The Woolwich Crossrail Station has experienced delays but is thought to be on schedule to open in 2022. This station will be positioned on the Elizabeth Line and offer connections to Heathrow Airport, Canary Wharf and Abbey Wood.
There are numerous buses running through Woolwich, including services to Sidcup, Eltham, Elephant & Castle, Catford, Bluewater, Peckham, and Crystal Palace. Night services also serve the district, ensuring that public transportation is available 24 hours a day.
Woolwich's position on the River Thames means that it also benefits from the Woolwich Ferry service. Approximately two million people use this free service every year, which runs between the south bank and the north bank of the river. Thames Clippers also run London River Services throughout the week to central London from Woolwich Arsenal Pier.
Is Woolwich a safe place to live?
Data from the period between January 2020 and December 2021 shows that there were 4,043 offences reported in the Woolwich Common area. 1,630 of those reported incidents were categorised as violent crimes. The area also recorded 608 incidents of theft, 384 public order offences, and 331 vehicle offences. Since March 2021, crime in the area has been very up and down. During peak months, as many as 207 incidents were reported, with quieter months seeing fewer than 150 reported offences.
The picture is similar in the Woolwich Riverside area, which recorded 5,737 crimes in the January 2020 to December 2021 period. Here, there were more than 1,700 violent crimes, 1,305 cases of theft, 501 public order offences, and 746 drug offences. February 2021 saw the fewest reports with 168 cases being recorded, rising to 282 cases in November 2021. Since this peak, however, cases have been falling again with 60 fewer incidents recorded in December 2021.
Which celebrities live in Woolwich?
Many notable individuals were born and/or grew up in Woolwich, including boxer Tom Cribb, novelist Stella Duffy, writer Bernadine Evaristo, and singer and songwriter Boy George. Woolwich also has strong artistic connections and has been home to sculptor and painter Keith Milow, landscape artist William Ranwell, and painter Ray Richardson.
Things to consider when moving to Woolwich
It is estimated that flats account for just shy of 80% of the property stock in Woolwich, which makes this area particularly attractive for young professionals, especially given the area's excellent transportation connections with the rest of the city. Although there is always something to do in the area, it isn't renowned for its nightlife, so Woolwich is perhaps best suited to professionals who are keen to take things at a slower pace than is possible in the heart of London.
There are notable benefits for families too, including primary and secondary schools known for their ability to ensure pupils obtain good results throughout their education. While open spaces in Woolwich itself are limited, which could be a downside for many families, Greenwich Park is only a 15-minute car or bus journey away.
It is also worth noting that part of Woolwich is located within the expanded ULEZ zone, which is operation every day of the year apart from Christmas day. Drivers wanting to use vehicles that don't conform to the scheme's emissions standards will be required to pay the daily charge.