Woolwich is a historic riverside town sited on the Thames whose fortunes have been linked to the Dockyard & Arsenal. The Dockyard was established in 1512 by Henry VIII and continued until 1869. The military presence grew from the 17th century, peaking in WWI but declining rapidly after 1945. The vacation by the MoD has provided great opportunities for the regeneration of Woolwich.

	WHEN TO GO Greenwich Heritage Centre is closed Sundays & Mondays Fewer shops/stalls will be open Sundays
	GETTING THERE Woolwich Arsenal (mainline & DLR) Stations are in the centre of the town which is also served by a number of buses. Riverboats go to the Thames Barrier pier from where you can take the Riverside Walk (not one of the better sections!) into central Woolwich. From North Woolwich use the free ferry or foot tunnel. Travelcard Zone 3/4
	INFORMATION Woolwich is situated in the Borough of Greenwich. Visitor Information at Discover Greenwich SE10 9LW. Tel 0870 608 2000. Free local magazines/newspapers available. Read my information on Woolwich Arsenal. Research the history of the area at Greenwich Heritage Centre (on the Arsenal site).
	WALKS I have a 3 mile circular walk around central Woolwich [click here] and also a Silvertown & North Woolwich walk [click here]. There is a pedestrian foot tunnel from the waterfront to North Woolwich. If the lifts aren't working there are a number of stairs to climb! The Green Chain is a 40 mile network of waymarked footpaths in SE London. It includes Maryon & Maryon Wilson Parks and Woolwich & Plumstead Commons [website]. There is a Riverside Walk through Woolwich. Walk westwards to the Thames Barrier and Greenwich Penisular or eastwards to Thamesmead.
	PLACES TO VISIT GREENWICH HERITAGE CENTRE Building 41 Royal Arsenal Woolwich SE18 4DX Tel 020 8854 2452 'Inside the Arsenal' and temporary exhibitions plus search room with family and local history resources. Open Tue - Sat 9-5. WOOLWICH ARSENAL Tel 0870 608 2000 Parts of this are now accessible. There are 22 listed buildings on the extensive site which includes a riverside walk. THAMES BARRIER Unity Way SE18 5NJ Tel 020 8854 1373 The Barrier can be viewed at close quarters and there are cafe and picnic facilities. There is a charge for exhibitions etc
	ENTERTAINMENT/EVENTS GREENWICH HERITAGE CENTRE (see above) has a programme of events and activities.
	EATING OUT General Gordon Place is convenient but the parks (see below) and riverside are more pleasant. Toilets in Beresford Square, Vincent Road (adjacent station) or on Riverwalk at Bell Water Gate
	SHOPPING/MARKETS Beresford Square Market is good for bargains. The main shopping street is pedestrianised Powis Street.
	CHURCHES ST MARY MAGDELENE St Mary Street SE18. Tel 020 8316 4338 Parishioners petitioned for one of the 'Fifty New Churches' as theirs was on the point of collapse due to the extraction of sand from the area. It was built in 1727-39 by Deptford bricklayer Matthew Spray. There is a stained glass window as a memorial to the 590 people killed in the Princess Alice disaster and a tomb (featuring a lion) to pugilist Tom Cribb in the churchyard ST PETER'S RC Woolwich New Road SE18. Tel 020 8854 0359 A pretty church designed by AWN Pugin in 1842 and extended in 1889.
	GREEN SPACES The park around ST MARY'S CHURCH is pleasant. There are green spaces within the ARSENAL SITE and just to the west are ROYAL ARSENAL GARDENS. The ROYAL VICTORIA GARDENS are alongside North Woolwich pier. There are other parks, woods and commons beyond the town centre (see Green Chain Walk).
	WATER FEATURES The Woolwich waterfront is full of interest (see walk) Foot passengers can travel on the free ferry or walk under the Thames using the tunnel. There is a (very ordinary) fountain in General Gordon Square
	WORTH SEEING The films about Woolwich Arsenal at the Greenwich Heritage Centre Buildings on the Arsenal site [more info] Art Deco interiors of former cinemas (now churches)

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