Thames Path : Greenwich to Woolwich walk

A Fascinating Stretch of The Thames: Maritime Greenwich, Greenwich Peninsula, Charlton, Thames Barrier, Royal Woolwich Arsenal

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Sun, 03-Dec-23 Sunday Walk - To the Scandinavian Christmas Fairs, The Long Way ‘Round! - Woolwich to Rotherhithe 8 dry start then increasingly wet
Thu, 03-Aug-23 Evening Walk - The most fascinating stretch of the Thames Path: Maritime Greenwich, the Peninsula, Charlton, Thames Barrier, Royal Woolwich Arsenal 3 fine summer evening
Thu, 23-Jun-22 Evening Walk - The most fascinating stretch of the Thames Path: Maritime Greenwich, the Peninsula, Charlton, Thames Barrier, Royal Woolwich Arsenal 6 balmy conditions
Thu, 31-Mar-22 Evening Walk: Woolwich to Greenwich -- Far East Thames Path 8 dry cold conditions with an arctic wind
Thu, 17-Jun-21 Evening Walk - The best stretch of the Thames Path: Greenwich to Woolwich 5 mostly wet
Sun, 18-Oct-20 Sunday Walk - SE London Short Walks (I): Thames Path - Greenwich to Woolwich Arsenal 7 mildly cloudy and warm for the season
Length: 18.1 km (11.2 mi) [longer walk possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: negligible
Net Walking Time: 4 hours
Toughness: 1/10
Either, take the 09.52 Slade Green train from Cannon Street (London Bridge 09.56, Deptford 10.04, Greenwich 10.07 etc.), arrives Woolwich Arsenal 10.20.
Or, take Crossrail (aka the Elizabeth Line) to get there (the 9.47 from Paddington arrives 10.13, then walk across to the Mainline Station). Calls Bond Street, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf et al.
Reverse-walk SWC Short Walk 42 Greenwich to Woolwich into the prevailing wind direction (surely one of the most interesting parts of the Thames Path) to the Cutty Sark and latch on the next stretch of the Thames Path, Greenwich to Rotherhithe (which is also very interesting). Just before The Mayflower pub in Rotherhithe village, turn left towards Rotherhithe Overground but pass it initially to cross Brunel Road and turn right along Albion Street. Pass the Brutalist Finnish Church, whose Christmas Fair is open to 18.00 hours, to the Norwegian Church, whose Christmas Fair is open to 17.00 hours. Then return for the Finnish Fair and then to the Overground, or to The Brunel pub or to The Mayflower, or on to Bermondsey or even London Bridge…
Links:

Lunch: Numerous options en route, check the webpage or pdf for the Greenwich – Woolwich walk (link below).
Tea: the Norwegian Church will doubtless sell some hot drinks and stuff to eat, but the Finnish Church has a proper café. Plus, as mentioned above: The Mayflower and The Brunel pubs in Rotherhithe village or several other establishments further along the Thames Path through Bermondsey.
For summary, walk directions, map, height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here.
Click here for the full GPX
Click here for the full route Map
T=Short.42
  • 03-Dec-23

    6 walkers met at Woolwich Arsenal, and 5 of those had never walked the bits east of Greenwich, so progress was slow, what with all the historical buildings, info panels and vistas up and down river. Building works just after Woolwich Ferry have finished so much that the Thames Path is reinstated along the river. The (flood-prone) waterside path at the Thames Barrier was open as well, so the mural showing the course of the Thames could be studied. There or thereabouts we 'lost' the photographer. The remaining 5 went into The Anchor pub for elenvenses (and a toilet stop).

    The photographer had now passed us but was sms'ed and walked back towards us. Near the Dome we then lost the shortcutter, whom we only met again at the Norwegian Church.

    Lunch was had in the Octagon Room af the Enderby House pub, a splendid little room indeed (octagonal, you guessed it). Near Greenwich village we bumped into walker 7 who had walked back from Canada Water tube, having hoped to bump into us a little earlier (I did say we were quite slow, did I?). By that time we had already lost 1 walker though to taking the train home from Greenwich mainline (work given as reason), later we lost another one to Deptford mainline station.

    Once into Surrey (as it were), and on account of definitely wanting to get to the Christmas Fairs a good time before their closure, we then cut through the Rotherhithe Peninsula from South Dock via Greenland Dock and Canada Water to the churches on Albion Street, where we bumped into walker 8.

    Everyone ate and drank something and most if not all also bought more stuff to take home. Earlier spittle and drizzle had by now been replaced by rain, so everyone dispersed into their respective directions by Overground, Underground or bus.

    dry start then increasingly wet 8

  • 03-Dec-23

    Additional feedback from shortcutter (in my defence the section around the dome is not that scenic and I have walked it before). At the dome a Peninsula market with food stalls and the odd Christmas fairs was present. Regarding the walk it was a challenge to follow the text in reverse but commendations must go to Thomas. The predictive rain did arrive but not till later hence it did not deter from the enjoyment of the walk.

Length: 11.0 km (6.8 mi) [Shorter and slightly longer walks possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: negligible
Net Walking Time: ca. 2 ½ hours
Take the 18.24 train from Cannon Street via London Bridge (18.28) & Deptford Fun City (18.34), arrives Greenwich 18.36. This is a Kent Loop Line service back to Cannon Street, probably showing as ‘Dartford via Slade Green’.
You can also get to Greenwich with the DLR (from Bank via Canary Wharf; Lewisham train).
Note: check the walk directions pdf for the start point of the walk! We will not wait…
Return trains: five per hour (xx.11, xx.27, xx.35, xx.41, xx.57), all via London Bridge, then either to Cannon Street or via Central London Thameslink stations.
Plus: Crossrail through Central London (every 7 ½ minutes).
Greenwich is in Zone 2, Woolwich Arsenal in Zone 4.
Follow quiet lanes from Greenwich Station to the Thames by the Cutty Sark and turn right downstream along this extremely fascinating stretch of London’s main river along Maritime Greenwich and around the rapidly changing Greenwich Peninsula with the O2-Dome and the IFS Cloud-cable car as well as its views across the river to Canary Wharf, the Mouth of the River Lea and the Royal Victoria Dock, before walking past Charlton and the Thames Barrier, with Silvertown and its Tate & Lyle Sugar Refinery opposite, and on to the finish at the former Royal Arsenal site in Woolwich.
You pass reminders of Britain’s great maritime past, many historic pubs, the imposing Greenwich Power Station, some new housing developments as well as some long-established industrial sites (including some spectacular Aggregates Businesses), some large outdoor artworks, an Ecology Park, Woolwich Dockyard and the refurbished Royal Arsenal site with its mixture of historic buildings, new and old housing, food & drink establishments and an Arts Centre (in development).
Walk Options:
Alternative Starts are possible from various points along the route (from 680m to 7.1 km into the walk). For details see the start of the Main Walk Directions.
Earlier Finishes: For details see the webpage.
Refreshments en route: positively plenty, see the webpage or the walk directions pdf for details.
Tea at the end: six establishments to choose from - between café, boulangerie, pub, bistro, restaurant. See the webpage or the walk directions pdf for details.
For walk directions, maps, height profiles, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=short.42
  • 04-Aug-23

    Just 2 walkers starting at Greenwich, later joined by 1 other at North Greenwich, late from after-work drinks. 3

    Weatherwise it was perfect, especially after weeks of autumnal weather. Warm-ish with a faint breeze, the passing clouds producing some magnificent cloudscapes and those then leading to a superlative pre-sunset and sunset. fine summer evening

    After a short stop at The Enderby for a drink, we then went non-stop to Woolwich, arriving just after 9 and settling at The Guard House for a meal.

  • 04-Aug-23

    I was in 4 minds as to whether to come along. I was pretty tired etc, and knowing number of regulars are away at the mo. Thought, after yesterday's Fav/Whit walk, no one might turn up. And living in the opposite end of London, tangentally, it was a longish way to go.

Length: 11.0 km (6.8 mi) [Shorter and slightly longer walks possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: negligible
Net Walking Time: ca. 2 ½ hours
Take the 18.02 Rainham (Kent) train from St. Pancras I’nal via Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, London Bridge (18.18) & Deptford Fun City (18.25), arrives Greenwich 18.27.
You can also get to Greenwich with the DLR (from Bank via Canary Wharf; Lewisham train).
Note: check the walk directions pdf for the start point of the walk! We will not wait…
Return trains: eight per hour (xx.00, xx.04, xx.14, xx.24, xx.30, xx.34, xx.44, xx.54), all via London Bridge, then either to Cannon Street or Charing Cross or via Central London Thameslink stations.
Plus: Crossrail through Central London (every 5 minutes).
Greenwich is in Zone 2, Woolwich Arsenal in Zone 4.

Follow quiet lanes from Greenwich Station to the Thames by the Cutty Sark and turn right downstream along this extremely fascinating stretch of London’s main river along Maritime Greenwich and around the rapidly changing Greenwich Peninsula with the O2-Dome and the ‘Emirates Air Line’ cable car as well as its views across the river to Canary Wharf, the Mouth of the River Lea and the Royal Victoria Dock, before walking past Charlton and the Thames Barrier, with Silvertown and its Tate & Lyle Sugar Refinery opposite, and on to the finish at the former Royal Arsenal site in Woolwich.
You pass reminders of Britain’s great maritime past, many historic pubs, the imposing Greenwich Power Station, some new housing developments as well as some long-established industrial sites (including some spectacular Aggregates Businesses), some large outdoor artworks, an Ecology Park, Woolwich Dockyard and the refurbished Royal Arsenal site with its mixture of historic buildings, new and old housing, food & drink establishments and an Arts Centre (in development).
Walk Options:
Alternative Starts are possible from various points along the route (from 680m to 7.1 km into the walk). For details see the start of the Main Walk Directions.
Earlier Finishes: For details see the webpage.
Refreshments en route: positively plenty, see the webpage or the walk directions pdf for details.
Tea: six establishments to choose from - between café, boulangerie, pub, bistro, restaurant. See the webpage or the walk directions pdf for details.
For walk directions, maps, height profiles, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=short.42
  • 23-Jun-22

    Strike Update: no trains today through the Central London Thameslink section, by the looks of it. And the last train from London Bridge to Greenwich is currently showing as the 18.04 Dartford service, which arrives 18.11. That leaves the Tube/Crossrail to Canary Wharf, then DLR to Greenwich as the most reliable option to get to the start. Still aiming for a 18.30 start...

    Return from Woolwich by Crossrail, then tube or DLR to your destination...

  • 23-Jun-22

    4 met at Greenwich Station (2 off the 2nd last train from London Bridge on the day, the 18.04 to Dartford - the last train left 2 minutes later to Orpington; 1 by bus from Orpington; 1 by DLR from Canary Wharf), and were met by 2 locals at the Cutty Sark (the boat, not the DLR station).

    In balmy conditions we went our way, stopping at North Greenwich for a breather, then at the Anchor & Hope for refreshments, to finish in Woolwich for a meal at The Dial Arch pub.

    1 took a bus to Orpington, 2 a bus back to Greenwich, 3 Crossrail to Canary Wharf for the Jubilee Line. The tunnel path at the Thames Barrier was mysteriously closed off, so we had to loop around the buildings, else all was as planned and hoped for. 6

  • 24-Jun-22

    As for Crossrail: the 2 stops from Woolwich to Canary Wharf take 8 minutes, and then you spend 7 minutes (platform to platform) walking across to the Jubilee Line! All in, grossly overrated, methinks. Bring back horse-drawn carriages...

Stargazer

Thursday Evening: Woolwich to Greenwich – Far East Thames Path (short walk 42 in reverse)

Distance: Approximately 6.8 miles or 11 km for those more metrically minded

Difficulty: 1 out of 10

Transport: 18:04 train from London Cannon Street (18:09 London Bridge) to Woolwich Arsenal, arriving 18:31

Return: Various – Thames Clipper; DLR; Mainline train

I have always been tempted to post this walk in reverse – starting in Woolwich and ending in Greenwich, as I thought it would be nice to walk towards the bright lights of the Thames barrier, Canary Wharf and the City….I have waiting until the first week of BST in hopes of also having a sunset to enjoy….rather than setting off in the dark….The route follows the Thames Path and is entirely paved and well-lit – so should be fine even after the sun has set.

There are several refreshment points along the route (including a new Brew by Number brewery) that we may choose to visit…There are also two very good riverside pubs on the East side of Greenwich (Enderby House and the Cutty Sark) where we may opt to have a meal. In Greenwich proper there are a number of further options…..

More information about the route can be found here.

Enjoy the walk! t=short.42

  • 31-Mar-22

    There are quite a few delayed trains

  • 31-Mar-22

    We took slightly less delayed thameslink, setting off from woolwich arsenal at 18.48...anyone on cannon street train should easily catch up on river.

  • 31-Mar-22

    In the end we have waited for cannon street train...

  • 02-Apr-22

    Notwithstanding a number of cancelled trains, 7 managed to meet outside Woolwich station from modes of transport other than the appointed train.....After a bit of discussion, we opted to wait in the frigid cold for the appointed train to see if anyone was aboard....no one emerged from the station -- so we set off somewhat briskly to warm up....in dry cold conditions with an arctic wind . We enjoyed a nice sunset as we traveled west with what looked like a major squall passing through/across central London at one point (did not affect us)...After the sunset, the lights of Canary Wharf beckoned....we stopped for a bevie break near "The Tide" on the O2 peninsula where number 8 joined us. Since we had already had a drinks stop (and given our late departure to start), we bypassed the BBN brewery and went straight to the Enderby House pub -- they were accommodating and found a place for a group of 8 at 9pm without a booking.....though a number of interesting items from the menu were no longer available which was a disappointing -- but, my dish was interesting and very tasty -- hopefully everyone else also enjoyed their meal. With trains still being cancelled most scurried off to the 10:20something at Maze Hill, leaving the one local to continue on to Greenwich proper. A fun night out -- thanks for braving the mid-winter conditions!

COVID 19
Track-and-Trace: please provide email address (preferred) or mobile phone number at the start
Rule of Thirty: up to June 21 (at least)

The most fascinating stretch of the Thames Path: Maritime Greenwich, Greenwich Peninsula, Charlton, Thames Barrier, Royal Woolwich Arsenal

Length: 11.0 km (6.8 mi) [Shorter and slightly longer Walks possible, see below}
Ascent/Descent: negligible
Net Walking Time: ca. 2 ½ hours
Take the 18.02 Rainham train from St. Pancras I’nal via Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, London Bridge (18.18) & Deptford Fun City (18.25), arrives Greenwich 18.27.
You can also get to Greenwich with the DLR (from Bank via Canary Wharf; Lewisham train).
Note: check the walk directions pdf for the start point of the walk! We will not wait…
Return trains: six per hour (xx.00, xx.04, xx.14, xx.30, xx.34, xx.44), all via London Bridge, then either to Cannon Street or Charing Cross or via Central London Thameslink stations.
Greenwich is in Zone 2, Woolwich Arsenal in Zone 4.
Follow quiet lanes from Greenwich Station to the Thames by the Cutty Sark and turn right downstream along this extremely fascinating stretch of London’s main river along Maritime Greenwich and around the rapidly changing Greenwich Peninsula with the O2-Dome and the ‘Emirates Air Line’ cable car as well as its views across the river to Canary Wharf, the Mouth of the River Lea and the Royal Victoria Dock, before walking past Charlton and the Thames Barrier, with Silvertown and its Tate & Lyle Sugar Refinery opposite, and on to the finish at the former Royal Arsenal site in Woolwich.
You pass reminders of Britain’s great maritime past, many historic pubs, the imposing Greenwich Power Station, some new housing developments as well as some long-established industrial sites (including some spectacular Aggregates Businesses), some large outdoor artworks, an Ecology Park, Woolwich Dockyard and the refurbished Royal Arsenal site with its mixture of historic buildings, new and old housing, food & drink establishments and an Arts Centre (in development).
Walk Options:
Alternative Starts are possible from various points along the route (from 680m to 7.1 km into the walk). For details see the start of the Main Walk Directions.
Earlier Finishes: For details see the webpage.
Refreshments en route: positively plenty, see the webpage or the walk directions pdf for details.
Tea: six establishments to choose from - between café, boulangerie, pub, bistro, restaurant. See the webpage or the walk directions pdf for details.

For walk directions, maps, height profiles, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=short.42

  • Anonymous
    16-Jun-21

    Return from Woolwich Arsenal, recommend to take Uber Boat (Thames clippers) passing through Thames Barrier.

    Single ticket to London Bridge/London Eye: adult £8.2 (TFL travelcard £7.15), freedom pass £4.1.

  • 17-Jun-21

    Just me, at the posted start point, at the posted start time. It had started to seriously rain just before I left the house, so I wasn't expecting many folk, but still: no one attending at all looked a bit harsh.

    But then 3 figures appeared up on the platform waiving at me, they had - of course - not read the walk posting in detail and tried to start from the wrong exit...

    A bit later there was a text from a 5th walker who mysteriously was ahead of us, so eventually we proceeded as a group of 5 .

    A useful feature of Thames-side walks like this is that usually they feature plenty of pubs, which in bad weather offer a potential refuge from particularly inclement periods. So about 500m into the riverside stretch of the route, we succumbed to the lure of the Trafalgar Tavern, just to shield from some hard rain for a moment. The footie was on, the first glass soon empty, so that a vote was taken on whether to move on or to have a meal there. A meal it was.

    Sometime later (it was halftime at the game), the rain had turned to barely perceptible drizzle, so we did walk on. We took the shortcut across the Peninsula and then the short ending at Charlton station, for the 22.07 train.

    mostly wet

A Fascinating Stretch of The Thames: Maritime Greenwich, Greenwich Peninsula, Charlton, Thames Barrier, Royal Woolwich Arsenal

Length: 11.0 km (6.8 mi) [Shorter and slightly longer Walks possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: negligible
Net Walking Time: ca. 2 ½ hours, Toughness: 1 out of 10
Take the 10.29 Dartford train from Cannon Street (London Bridge 10.32, Deptford 10.39), arrives Greenwich 10.41. You can also get to Greenwich with the DLR (from Bank via Canary Wharf to Lewisham). Note: check the walk directions pdf for the start point of the walk!
Return trains: five per hour (xx.05, xx.12, xx.19, xx.42, xx.49), all via London Bridge, then either to Cannon Street or via Central London Thameslink stations.
Greenwich is in Zone 2, Woolwich Arsenal in Zone 4.
Follow quiet lanes from Greenwich Station to the Thames by the Cutty Sark and turn right downstream along this extremely fascinating stretch of London’s main river along Maritime Greenwich and around the rapidly changing Greenwich Peninsula with the O2-Dome and the ‘Emirates Air Line’ cable car as well as its views across the river to Canary Wharf, the Mouth of the River Lea and the Royal Victoria Dock, before walking past Charlton and the Thames Barrier, with Silvertown and its Tate & Lyle Sugar Refinery opposite, and on to the finish at the former Royal Arsenal site in Woolwich.
You pass reminders of Britain’s great maritime past, many historic pubs, the imposing Greenwich Power Station, some new housing developments as well as some long-established industrial sites (including some spectacular Aggregates Businesses), some large outdoor artworks, an Ecology Park, Woolwich Dockyard and the refurbished Royal Arsenal site with its mixture of historic buildings, new and old housing, food & drink establishments and an Arts Centre (in development).
Walk Options: Alternative Starts are possible from various points along the route (from 680m to 7.1 km into the walk). For details see the start of the Main Walk Directions.
Finish at North Greenwich Underground by leaving the route:
· either at the north westerly tip of the Greenwich Peninsula, 4.0 km into the walk;
· or at the easterly side of the Greenwich Peninsula, 4.9 km into the walk.
Use the Cross-Peninsula Shortcut (cut 1.1 km).
Add a short loop through and/or around Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park.
Finish at Charlton Station, 830m off route, after 7.1 km of the walk.
Refreshments en route: positively plenty, see the webpage or the walk directions pdf for details.
Lunch (at the end of the walk): six establishments to choose from - between café, boulangerie, pub, bistro, restaurant. See the webpage or the walk directions pdf for details.
Note: London is now a Tier 2 Area: no mixed households indoors.
For walk directions, maps, height profiles, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=short.42
  • 18-Oct-20

    6 off the train at the alloted time, making good progress until a refreshment stop at The Anchor & Hope in Charlton. 1 other walker waited there already while 1 returned along the route to meet a friend.

    Currently at Woolwich, for a stop at Boulangerie Jade, before the afternoon walk.

    7 mildly cloudy and warm for the season