Although many Londoners would have trouble finding this neighbourhood on a map, the area, known as Woolwich, is undoubtedly the next big thing. While its proximity to military training facilities and its high concentration of factories and council flats have helped to build up its recent “sleepy” reputation, things are quickly changing. Located up against the Thames, there are already plenty of reasons to visit the neighbourhood. In addition to many interesting pieces of infrastructure, like the Thames Barrier and King Henry’s Dock, there are also several exciting studios and workshops, slowly morphing the area into an arts destination. Wandering through the neighbourhood, it’s hard to decide which studios and galleries to visit first. Some of the area’s favourites include the Thames Side Studios, the biggest single- site studio provider in Britain; Saffron Frameworks, a bespoke bicycle manufacturer, and Based Upon, a local art gallery. Aside from this, there are more residential and commercial developments already in the works. It is for these reasons exactly that locals have started referring to the neighbourhood as Coolwich.

This neighbourhood dates back to the Iron Age when the Romans had built a fort here. Even though the name Woolwich translates to “trading place for wool,” there’s no evidence that there was ever a wool market on site. It wasn’t until the 16th century though, that King Henry VIII developed dockyards in the area to assist with royal ship building. Later on, in the 19th century, these dockyards were extended, and were eventually joined by the South Eastern Railway. The railway and extended docks helped justify the building of more main streets, and commercial buildings, many of which still exist today.

The MV Royal Iris is more or less abandoned and sitting derelict along Woolwich’s shore. When it was in its prime, this ferry served the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. Paul McCartney also once performed on it!

Unfortunately, the increased interest in Woolwich from developers and new residents will mean that some of the area’s longtime residents will be displaced. In an effort to regenerate the area, Greenwich Council is leading the demolition and redevelopment of multiple housing estates in the area, such as Morris Walk. While many of the new units will be made affordable, it will be nowhere near enough to continue housing the current residents. Still, there are some affordable opportunities that have arisen from these demolitions. Whilst the buildings are awaiting demolition, the council will be renting out the units temporarily at 65% of market rate.

The biggest change impacting this area has been the completion of the Elizabeth Line and the opening of Woolwich underground station in the east of this neighbourhood. This formerly isolated part of South East London now has trains running to Canary Wharf in under five minutes as well as to central London and Heathrow. This is expected to bring a wave of new development in the coming years. Foremost of which is Mast Quay which consists of three separate residential towers on Woolwich Church Street looking out over the river Thames. Similar high density developments are also planned between 125 and 129 Woolwich High Street as well as King Henry’s Dock on Europe Road, providing over 350 homes collectively.