The area boasts excellent transport links, with Plumstead Station offering Thameslink and Southeastern trains, and the Elizabeth line from Woolwich taking you to central London in 30 minutes. With plenty of independent shops and restaurants, green space, and the O2 a few miles away, Plumstead has plenty to keep you busy. In this Plumstead Area guide, we’ll take you through the highlights of Plumstead and neighbouring Woolwich.
Things to do in Plumstead and Woolwich
Plumstead and Woolwich offer a great mix of history, culture, and independent shops and restaurants.
The Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, once the site of one of the UK's largest munitions factories, now features charming pubs and restaurants in its historic architecture. It’s a fascinating area, with elegant apartment buildings lining the Thames riverfront, while shops and warehouses stand side by side further inland. Every other week, Artillery Square hosts a bustling farmer's market selling produce and crafts.
Within the historic Royal Arsenal buildings, you will find Woolwich Works, a recently opened multi-disciplinary cultural hub. It hosts an exciting range of events, from art exhibitions and comedy nights to plays and gigs. A short walk to the west, you will come across the Waterfront Leisure Centre, which has a gym, 25m fitness pool, and a leisure pool with slides and a wave machine for family fun.
Plumstead’s location also means you can enjoy relaxing walks by the Thames with scenic views, while the O2 Arena is also within easy reach, with its vast range of restaurants and events. Greenwich is just a train ride away, with more riverside pubs, the Royal Observatory, and the National Maritime Museum.
The best restaurants in Plumstead and Woolwich
Plumstead and Woolwich boast a diverse and delicious array of restaurants, pubs, and cafes with cuisines from across the world.
Plumstead’s Tapari Momo and Woolwich’s Maya DD both offer a taste of Nepal, including popular momos and traditional curries. For great Latin American food, visit Peter’s Panas in Woolwich covered market, serving specialty Venezuelan arepas. Nearby, Tamar’s Restaurant and Wine Bar serves West African cuisine with a focus on Nigerian food.
For Italian fine dining and wine, look no further than Osteria Vitis, or for lighter fare, Viet Baguette serves fresh and flavorful Vietnamese classics.
The area is not short on trendy cafes either: Boulangerie Jade in the Royal Arsenal is a traditional French patisserie that makes everything by hand. For brunch, head to The Plumstead Pantry, a trendy cafe serving fresh bread daily and breakfast classics, though you may have to beat the queue.
There’s also a host of fun pubs and bars in the area. SALT Woolwich is a popular spot known for its great selection of craft beers and pizza. The Dial Arch, situated in the historic Royal Arsenal, offers a grand setting with high ceilings and plenty of space. For quality British pub food, visit The Guard House next door. Finally, The Star in the south of Plumstead is a cozy pub with a garden serving local beer and classic roasts.
Green Space in Plumstead
Plumstead offers several valuable green spaces for locals to enjoy. The expansive Plumstead Common provides a large area for recreation, featuring a dog park and tennis courts. Along the border of the common you can also find the trendy Plumstead Pantry, mentioned above, and The Star is a a few mintues away.
To the east lies Winn’s Common, another significant green space offering more formal parkland, also featuring a kids’ playground with a paddling pool. Further east lies Bostall Heath and Woods, which is great for walks and bike rides.
To the south, there is more green space to be found with Shrewsbury Park, which sits next to Shooters Hill Golf Club.
Further afield, you will find Gallions Reach Park a short bus ride to the northeast, and Greenwich Park with the Royal Observatory and fantastic views of the city to the west, a 25-minute train ride away.
Plumstead’s Transport Links
Plumstead benefits from solid transport links primarily through Plumstead Station, which offers Southeastern and Thameslink services. These provide regular connections to key London destinations such as Canon St, London Bridge, and Dartford.
Also, a short journey away is Woolwich Arsenal station, which is on the well-connected Elizabeth line, taking you to Canary Wharf, the West End, and Heathrow Airport. Numerous bus routes also serve Plumstead, connecting it to surrounding areas like Woolwich, Greenwich, and Abbey Wood. For going on holiday, London City Airport is conveniently just a 30-minute journey away.
New Shared Ownership Homes in Plumstead
For those looking to make Plumstead their home, Lombard Square, launching in Autumn 2025, offers a collection of 1 and 2-bedroom homes available through Shared Ownership. Situated in a vibrant part of Plumstead and centred around a significant 1.8-acre garden square, this Peabody New Homes development promises a blend of community living, convenient transport links, and access to green spaces.
Lombard Square’s key features include the central garden square, proximity to Plumstead station (within a 5-minute walk), and underground parking for select units. Residents will also benefit from local amenities such as a cafe, supermarket, and gym within the wider development.
For more information on these stylish new Shared Ownership homes, you can visit our Lombard Square page and register your interest today.
Frequently Asked Questions about living in Plumstead
The average train commute from Plumstead to central London stations like London Bridge or Charing Cross takes around 30 to 36 minutes.
The average house price in Plumstead is around £400,000. There is, of course, large variance depending on the size and location of the property. With Shared Ownership, you can get on the housing ladder for less by buying a 25% share of a new home.
Plumstead Railway Station serves Plumstead, offering Southeastern and Thameslink services. A 15-minute walk to the Northwest is Woolwich Underground Station on the Elizabeth Line. A couple of minutes south is also Woolwich Arsenal Station, which is on the DLR line.
