114. Woolwich, United Kingdom
Why Woolwich?
Woolwich (pronounced “Woolich”) is a very ethnically diverse area located in the zone 4 transportation area of London so its very accessible to Central London. If you are looking to experience London as a local and not spend too much for accommodation and still be able to check out some local London happenings, then Woolwich should be a destination for you. And if you’re a plane spotter, its a great place to watch planes takeoff and land at London-City Airport.
Woolwich, United Kingdom – Planes landing at London-City (LCY) Airport
Where
Woolwich is located along the river Thames in the southeastern part of London. It’s accessible by the London Underground trains and buses and soon to the Crossrail. As well as by the Thames Clipper Ferry from London. It’s located just across the Thames from the London-City airport.
How To Get Here
By Train
You can take the National Rail to the Woolwich Arsenal stop which is in the center of Woolwich.
By Plane
Woolwich sits at the end of the London-City Airport right in the center of London. This makes getting off the airplane, getting on a train and arriving in Woolwich all possible within 45 minutes.
Woolwich, United Kingdom – London-City Airport
The following airlines serve the London-City Airport (LCY):
Aer Lingus (EI), Alitalia (AZ), aurigny channel islands (GR), British Airways (BA), CityJet (WX), flybe. (BE), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL), Lufthansa German Airlines (LH), Luxair (LG), SkyWork Airlines (SX), Swiss Airlines (LX) and TAP Portugal (TP).
As this is the London area, there are four other airports that you can use although there will be an additional commute either via a combination of trains, buses and taxis. These airports are: London-Gatwick (LGW), London-Heathrow (LHR), London-Luton (LTN), London-Southend (SEN) and London-Stansted (STN).
By Bus
You can take Eurolines, Flixbus, Megabus, OUIBUS and National Express into London. Then you can take the London Underground and/or the buses to Woolwich.
By Car
You can rent a car, just know that traffic is really heaving in the mornings and the afternoons at rush hour. It is cool to cross the Thames on the Woolwich Ferry though :-). Just use a service like Google Maps for directions.
By Ferry
You can take the Thames Clipper from Central London to Woolwich.
Woolwich, United Kingdom – Thames Clipper
Where To Stay
You can find hotels in Woolwich, or you can stay around the London-City airport area or the London Financial district or in Central London; its up to you. You have many to choose from.
Woolwich, United Kingdom – View of London from Woolwich
Some suggestions in the Woolwich area:
The Angerstein Hotel
Hotel Ibis London-City
Travel Lodge London Woolwich
Travel Lodge London City
Premier Inn
==>> You can find a list of hotels from TripAdvisor here.
==>> Try Airbnb. Enter “Woolwich, London” as your search term. The area called Royal Arsenal has some great places to stay at prices well below what you would pay in Central London.
Where To Eat
As this is an ethnically diverse area, you can find all kinds of different foods; from Nepalese to Indian to Chinese you can find it here. Of course you can get Fish and Chips as well. There’s also a daily market with fresh produce in front of the Woolwich Arsenal DLR station.
Woolwich also boast the first McDonalds in the U.K.
There are also two pubs worth visiting, The TapRoom and the Dial Arch.
Woolwich, United Kingdom – Beer and pizza at The Taproom
Woolwich, United Kingdom – Fish and Chips
==>> You can find a list of restaurants from TripAdvisor here.
What To Do
Woolwich, United Kingdom – Woolwich Ferry
Attractions include:
The Royal Artillery Barracks – Home of the royal artillery from 1776 to 2007
The Royal Arsenal Farmers Market – Held twice a month (second and last Saturday), you get fresh food items for your table.
The Thames Barrier – built to protect London in case of flooding; its an amazing feat of engineering to see. It is the largest movable flood barrier in the world.
Woolwich, United Kingdom – Thames Barrier
The Woolwich Foot Tunnel – You can walk under the river Thames. It’s open 24 hours.
The Woolwich Ferry (free) – Takes you from one side of the thames to the next. It takes cars, lorries (trucks), motorbikes, bicycles and people.
Woolwich Tall Ships Festival (Sail Royal Greenwich) – occurs twice a year; tall ships come in from all over Europe.
Woolwich, United Kingdom – Woolwich Tunnel
Woolwich, United Kingdom – Tall Ships
Additional Information
Language: British English
Currency: British Pounds (GBP)
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Woolwich, United Kingdom – North Woolwich Railway Station; the shell is still intact. It sits across the river and not far from the Woolwich Foot Tunnel entrance.
