This neighbourhood is located North of West Heath and South of Abbey Wood and Thamesmead, it falls within the South East Boroughs of Bexleyheath and Greenwich. Abbey Wood derives its name from the ancient woodlands that surround the remnants of Lesnes Abbey, founded in 1178. Like Abbey Wood, West Heath is named for its close proximity to nature and open green spaces. This is because the area areas are located within London’s Metropolitan Green belt, which is not the case for most of inner city London. Both Abbey Wood and West Heath are suburban, yet the recently completed Elizabeth Line means the area is now more connected to the rest of London than ever before.

A notable part of this neighbourhood area’s history is West Heath house, which was built in the early 19th century for Sir Samuel Hulse, who was the personal military officer for the Prince Regent, later George IV. Hulse was able to take communal land to increase the size of the grounds of his house, which has resulted in the expansion of Bedonwell Road. George IV visited West Heath House after Hulse had risen through the ranks to become a field marshal and treasurer of the royal household. In neighbouring Abbey Wood, in the 1950s the selling of land from local Woolwich Arsenal, allowed the council to build council housing on the land west of Harrow Manor Way – with many residents eventually purchasing their homes reflected as half of the homes are owner occupied which helps to build community wealth.

From 1969 to 1976 Kate Bush, British singer-songwriter, famous for her debut hit ‘Wuthering Heights’, attended Abbey Wood’s St Joseph’s convent preparatory school and secondary school.

As recent as September 2018, vehicle crime in Abbey Wood is said to have risen through reports from neighbourhood watch teams. Although the new Crossrail line is predominately welcomed by residents, the project is around £590 million over budget and 2 years behind schedule.

The biggest change to hit this neighbourhood has been the completion of the Elizabeth Line, which means Canary Wharf is just a ten minute train journey away. This is set to transform the area from an isolated suburb to a bustling commuter hub with direct transport links to central London and Heathrow. The Abbey Place development on Felixstowe Road is one development prompted by these new transport links, providing 245 new mixed-tenure homes across two buildings. Flowers Estate, a council estate in Abbey wood, is also set to receive £1.3 million from Greenwich Council to help squash anti-social behaviour and revitalise the area.