Woolwich, London
| Woolwich | |
|---|---|
 Beresford Square market with Royal Arsenal Gatehouse (left) and Crossrail development in the background |
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 Woolwich
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| Woolwich shown within Greater London | |
| Population | 71,526 (Woolwich Common, Woolwich Riverside, Plumstead and Glyndon wards 2011) |
| OS grid reference | TQ435795 |
| • Charing Cross | 8.5 mi (13.7 km) WNW |
| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | SE18 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament | |
| London Assembly | |
Woolwich (/ˈwʊlɪtʃ/ or /ˈwʊlɪdʒ/ WOUL-ich) is a town in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, south east London, England. Originally in Kent, it has been part of the London metropolitan area since the 19th century. In 1965, most of the former Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich became part of Greenwich Borough, of which it remains the administrative centre.
Throughout the 17th, 18th, 19th and most of the 20th century, Woolwich was an important military and industrial town. It is a river crossing point, with the Woolwich Ferry and the Woolwich foot tunnel crossing to North Woolwich. Woolwich is identified in the London Plan as an "opportunity area" as well as a major centre in Greater London, with the potential to become a metropolitan centre.
Woolwich has been inhabited since at least the Iron Age. Remains of a probably Celtic oppidum, established sometime between the 3rd and 1st century BCE, in the late Roman period re-used as a fort, were found at the current Waterfront development site between Beresford Street and the Thames. According to the Survey of London (Volume 48: Woolwich), "this defensive earthwork encircled the landward sides of a riverside settlement, the only one of its kind so far located in the London area, that may have been a significant port, anterior to London". A path connected the riverside settlement with Watling Street (Shooter's Hill), perhaps also of Iron Age origin. Sandy Hill Road may be a remnant of this early path.
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