Greenwich
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Greenwich from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover your local listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Greenwich's most historic sites, included in the National Heritage List for England. Some of these captions have been summarised by AI. Click through for the official List entry.
Manze's eel, pie and mash shop and outbuilding to rear
Lewisham
Mid-C19 terraced building with Manze's pie and mash shop to the ground floor, opened in 1914.
West Greenwich Secondary School
Greenwich
West Greenwich Secondary School, designed by E R Robson and J J Stevenson in 1874, features multicolored brickwork, high pitched roofs, and distinctive architectural details, forming a...
The Standard Reservoir Conduit House, Greenwich Park
Greenwich
Conduit house. Late C17 or early C18, attributed to Nicholas Hawksmoor, Clerk of Works at Greenwich from 1698-1735. Restored in the later C20. Classical style.
Royal Arsenal the Grand Store West and South Ranges Build…
Greenwich
The Royal Arsenal's Grand Store, attributed to James and Lewis Wyatt, is a distinguished 19th-century Georgian-style warehouse characterizing late Georgian architecture.
Romano-Celtic temple in Greenwich Park
Greenwich
The Romano-Celtic temple in Greenwich Park, dated from AD 100 to 400, served spiritual needs and remains a rare archaeological site offering insights into Roman religious practices.
Royal Artillery Barracks Main Building
Greenwich
Royal Artillery Barracks is a Georgian-style military building showcasing impressive architecture by James Wyatt, with notable historical interiors and a significant facade.
Greenwich Palace
Greenwich
The remains of the Tudor Greenwich Palace complex including tiltyard, armoury, friary and other associated buildings and structures, together with the remains of earlier royal houses, an...
Former Siemens Cable Factory, 37 Bowater Road
Greenwich
Rubber-coated copper-wire cable factory built in 1910-1911 for Siemens Brothers to designs by Siemens works manager, W Dieselhorst and in-house architects, Herbert and Helland using the Kahn...
Greenwich Park
Greenwich
A Royal park with its origins in the C15 and formally laid out in the 1660s. At least part of the mid C17 restoration scheme was associated with the French designer Andre le Nôtre.
Royal Arsenal Brass Foundry Royal Foundry
Greenwich
The Royal Arsenal Brass Foundry, now a bookstore, was built in 1716-17 as a brass cannon foundry, extended in the 1770s during the industrial era.
21-42, Gloucester Circus SE10
Greenwich
Gloucester Circus features a symmetrical crescent from circa 1800, with multicolored brick, parapets, and distinctive architectural elements, forming a cohesive historical group.
Orangery to Former Eltham House, Now at North End of Grou…
Greenwich
The orangery at the north end of No 113 features late 17th or early 18th-century design, with red brick and stone dressings, elaborate cornices, and Corinthian capitals.
Bandstand to South of Great Cross Avenue
Greenwich
A late 19th-century octagonal bandstand in Greenwich Park with cast iron columns, a copper roof, and multicoloured stock brick plinth.
Plumstead Library
Greenwich
Public library, 1903-04 by Frank Sumner.Pursuant to s.1 (5A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 ('the Act') it is declared that the 1936 extension to the...
Church of St Mary Magdalene
Greenwich
Church, 1727-39 by Deptford bricklayer, Matthew Spray. The architect's name is unknown. East end was rebuilt and extended with transepts in 1893-94 by JO Scott. Some C20 modifications.
Anglo-Saxon cemetery in Greenwich Park
Greenwich
The Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Greenwich Park, dating from the 6th to 8th centuries AD, contains barrows with inhumation burials and provides archaeological insights into early Anglo-Saxon...
Repository Woods
Greenwich
Repository Woods, designated Grade II, served dual roles for military training and as picturesque pleasure grounds.
Burial mound on Winns Common, Plumstead
Greenwich
The bowl barrow on Plumstead Common is a Late Neolithic to Late Bronze Age funerary monument, significant for understanding early prehistoric communities despite past damage.
Southern gatehouse to the Blackwall Tunnel
Greenwich
Tunnel gatehouse. Opened 1897 for the London County Council to designs by Thomas Blashill, Superintending Architect.
Eltham Palace
Greenwich
Eltham Palace, originally a bishop's residence and later a royal palace, is valued for its historical significance and well-preserved medieval and architectural elements.
Eltham Palace
Greenwich
Eltham Palace, a former royal residence from 1305, evolved through centuries from a royal estate to a gentleman's residence and is now preserved by English Heritage.
Church of St Michael and All Angels
Greenwich
1828-30 by George Smith. Refitted 1881-2 and N and S porches added to the design of the local architect Edward dru Drury. 1878-9 NE vestry added by Richard Norman Shaw. Reordering 1981.
Church of St John the Baptist
Greenwich
1873-5 designed by A.W Blomfield. Tower and spire completed 1879. Interior altered 1970s. Hall on north of vestry c1980.
Enderby House
Greenwich
Enderby House is linked to Samuel Enderby, key in Antarctic exploration, and later played a role in the first successful transatlantic telegraph cable.
Church of St Michael and All Angels
Greenwich
1875-77: chancel, chancel aisle, organ chamber and vestries by John William Walter. 1888-89: three and a half bays of the nave and arcades by William Butterfield.
Woolwich Fire Station
Greenwich
Fire station, 1887, by Fire Brigade Branch of Metropolitan Board of Works, chief architect Alfred Mott, job architect Robert Pearsall; and c1910, by the Fire Brigade Branch of the London...
Plumstead Fire Station
Greenwich
Fire station, 1907, by Fire Stations Division of London County Council, with minor later alterations.
Vanbrugh Castle
Greenwich
Vanbrugh Castle, built in 1717 by Sir John Vanbrugh, features three towers, intricate brickwork, and historical architecture reflective of early 18th-century design.
23-27 Blackheaths Park
Greenwich
Early 19th-century villas with hipped slate roofs and recessed sash windows; notable for architectural details like gauged brick arches and wrought iron balconies.
Woolwich Old Town Hall
Greenwich
Woolwich Old Town Hall, built in 1842, features a stucco facade with pilasters, sash windows, and distinctive architectural details including entablatures and bracketed cornices.
Cutty Sark
Greenwich
Cutty Sark, a 963-ton tea clipper launched in 1869, was the fastest ship of her era. It's now a museum in a dry dock, celebrating sailing history.
Avery Hill Training College (Conservatory)
Greenwich
Avery Hill Training College Conservatory, built in 1889, features classical style with domed glass roofs and carved figures representing Horticulture.
The HA HA
Greenwich
The Ha-Ha on Ha-Ha Road in SE18, established in the early 19th century, spans east to west with notable brick retaining and strategic road breaks.
John Penn and Widow Smith Almshouses
Greenwich
The John Penn and Widow Smith Almshouses, built in 1884, feature redbrick construction with freestone dressings, housed around a grass court, commemorating John Penn by his widow Ellen Penn.
28-36, Hyde Vale SE10
Greenwich
Group of 19th-century villas on Hyde Vale SE10 with distinct architectural features, including yellow stock brick facades and classical prostyle porches.
14, Luton Place SE10
Greenwich
14 Luton Place SE10 is a Grade II listed 19th-century terraced house with stucco facade featuring a frieze, cornice, and round arched recess.
Greenwich through time
This timeline shows the first period of use for buildings and places on the National Heritage List for England, just one of the details recorded for every list entry. Click around to see how Greenwich changes over time.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion, from hunter-gatherers of several human species, including Neanderthals, to more recent herders and farmers. It was a time of developing technologies and belief systems, involving contact with and migration from Europe, all reflected in the variety of artefact and monument types characteristic of particular prehistoric periods.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion, from hunter-gatherers of several human species, including Neanderthals, to more recent herders and farmers. It was a time of developing technologies and belief systems, involving contact with and migration from Europe, all reflected in the variety of artefact and monument types characteristic of particular prehistoric periods.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Greenwich
Aerial photography helps reveal secrets of England's changing landscapes that are impossible to see from the ground.
Woolwich
Church Street, Powis Street and environs, Woolwich, 1923
Woolwich
Car ferry over the Thames, Woolwich, 1966
Greenwich
The Royal Naval College, Greenwich, 1924
Greenwich
The Royal Naval College, Greenwich, 1948
Woolwich
Siemens Bros and Co Ltd Works and environs, Woolwich, 1923
Woolwich
Woolwich Road, Woolwich, 1965
New Eltham
W.F. Stanley and Co Ltd Optical Instrument Works, New Eltham, 1949
Eltham
W.F. Stanley and Co Ltd Optical Instrument Works, Eltham, 1953
Woolwich Common
The Royal Military Academy, Woolwich Common, 1948
Woolwich Common
The Royal Military Academy, Woolwich Common, 1948
Greenwich in the Historic England Archive
The Historic England Archive cares for over 15 million images, dating from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Greenwich's past.
Charles George Harper Collection
Eltham, Greenwich, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1892 - 1933
Exterior view showing the Great Hall at Eltham Palace
Eric de Mare
Greenwich, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1945 - 1980
General view of the Royal Naval Hospital with lamp standard in the foreground.
John Gay Collection: London
Greenwich, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1955 - 1965
An exterior view of Queen Mary's chapel and quarter at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, showing the colonnade of coupled columns on the south-west...
John Gay Collection: Modern Architects
East Greenwich, Greenwich, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1977
The entrances to a row of houses in East Greenwich, part of a late 20th century housing estate
John Laing Collection
Coldharbour And New Eltham, Greenwich, Greater London Authority
Date created: 12 Jul 1947
A crowd gathered for the opening ceremony of the first Easiform house to be opened on the Coldharbour Farm Estate in Greenwich
Alfred Newton and Sons
Greenwich, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1896 - 1930
A view looking across the River Thames towards the Royal Naval College, with a boat on the river in the foreground
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Greenwich Park, Greenwich, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1910 - 1915
VIEW DOWN THE TREE LINED AVENUE OF THE SIDE WALK, MAIN AVENUE
Charles George Harper Collection
Eltham, Greenwich, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1892 - 1933
Exterior view showing part of Eltham Palace
Eric de Mare
Greenwich, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Exterior view of the Royal Naval Hospital with a lamp standard in the foreground.
John Gay Collection: London
Greenwich, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1955 - 1965
An exterior view of Queen Mary's chapel and quarter at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, showing the colonnade of coupled columns on the south-west...
John Laing Collection
Greenwich, Greater London Authority
Date created: 26 Sep 1958
View of Peter Moro's house at 20 Blackheath Park, Greenwich showing the driveway
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Greenwich Park, Greenwich, Greater London Authority
Date created: 1902 - 1907
GENERAL VIEW LOOKING ALONG THE CYCLE AVENUE
Stories about heritage in your local area
Historic England publishes news, blogs, research, videos, and podcasts celebrating England's rich heritage. Discover the stories we have about Greenwich.
Reusing Historic Cinemas as Places of Worship
Mentions Granada Cinema
Faith communities are giving a new lease of life to former historic cinemas.
The Buildings of Modernist Architect Berthold Lubetkin
Mentions Numbers 85 to 91 and Attached Walls Gates and Gatepiesr
Exploring the work of a leading figure in Modernist Architecture in Britain.
A Brief Introduction to Semi-Detached Housing
Mentions Numbers 1 to 14 (Consecutive) The Paragon, and Paragon Cottage and Paragon Lodge
Semi-detached housing is the most prevalent type of housing in England today, making up one third of the housing stock.
10 Lesser Known Places Linked to King Henry VIII
Mentions Greenwich Palace, Eltham Palace, Great Hall of Eltham Palace
Discover the lesser-known historic sites linked to Henry VIII, including Whitehall Palace, Windsor Castle, Rievaulx Abbey, and Eltham Palace, London.
English High Street Architecture Through the Ages
Mentions New Wine Church (Former Odeon Cinema)
Explore how the architecture of the English high street has evolved over the centuries.
12 Places Connected to Queen Elizabeth I
Mentions Royal Naval College north east building, Queen Anne's Quarter
Discover the locations where Queen Elizabeth I lived and visited, including Hampton Court Palace, Hatfield House and Kenilworth Castle.
16 Historic Gardens and Landscapes to Visit
Mentions Eltham Palace
Try these English gardens if you’re looking for somewhere with spectacular garden scenery.
8 Sites of Scientific Discovery and Innovation
Mentions Royal Observatory, The Transit House
From Charles Darwin to Alan Turing, discover incredible places in England connected to scientific achievement.
A Brief Introduction to Christopher Wren
Mentions Royal Naval College North West Building King Charles Quarters, Royal Observatory Flamsteed House, Queen's House
Christopher Wren was a polymath, scientist and world-renowned architect.
A Brief History of Gurdwaras in England
Mentions Gurdwara Sahib Woolwich (Former Woolwich Methodist Church)
There are thought to be over 200 gurdwaras across the UK.
The Story of Eleanor Coade
Mentions Royal Naval College southwest building, King William's Quarter
The pioneering business woman who successfully adapted a secret formula to manufacture an elegant artificial stone.
9 Stunning Country Houses You Need to Visit
Mentions Eltham Court (Eltham Palace)
Here are nine of our favourite country houses and gardens from around the country.
The 'London' Wreck – Excavation and Analysis of Material at Risk
Mentions Greenwich
Work on the 'London' wreck has revealed a wealth of information about this 17th-century warship.
Research Reports Roundup to February 2024
Mentions Greenwich
A roundup of new additions to the Historic England Research Reports database and a longer term overview of industrial heritage reports.
Secretary of State Reappoints Historic England Commissioner
Mentions Greenwich
Sue Wilkinson has been reappointed Commissioner of Historic England for a second term of 4 years by Lucy Frazer, Secretary of State at DCMS.
Unpath’d Waters on Tour – Summer 2024
Mentions Greenwich
A touring exhibition giving a glimpse of achievements over the last three years and what may be possible in the future.
Woolwich MP Shows Support for the Restoration of Historic High Street
Mentions Greenwich
Matthew Pennycook MP visited the Woolwich High Street Heritage Action Zone to see how it is helping to regenerate the area’s historic centre.
Historic England Launches Interactive Story Map for Schools to Celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee
Mentions Royal Observatory Flamsteed House, Greenwich
A resource to educate children about their local history, highlighting important sites that the Queen has visited throughout her 70-year reign.
Historic England Launches New Map Revealing a Century of England From the Air
Mentions Greenwich
For the first time users can search and explore an online map showing aerial photographs of England over the past 100 years.
Towards a National Collection
Mentions Greenwich
£14.5 million awarded to transform online exploration of UK’s culture and heritage collections through harnessing innovative AI.
Historic England Opens Consultation on Tall Buildings Advice
Mentions Greenwich
An updated draft Advice Note to guide the planning and design of tall buildings, is now out for public consultation.
23 Remarkable Places Listed in 2018
Mentions The Assembly Rooms, Charlton
Historic England publishes its annual highlights from more than 900 buildings and sites listed or upgraded this year.
Professor Robert Winston announces his top 10 Science & Discovery places
Mentions Greenwich
Professor Robert Winston announces his top 10 Science & Discovery places in A History of England in 100 Places campaign
Remembering Passchendaele: War Memorials Listed
Mentions The Ypres Memorial Milestone, Greenwich
Battle of Passchendaele centenary marked with 13 new and upgraded war memorial listings
Greenwich's social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about their local area.
The Millennium Dome beside the River Thames at dusk, Greenwich, Greater London Authority
Period: 1990s (1990 - 1999)
The Millennium Dome was built to house an exhibition called the 'Millennium Experience'.
The Millennium Dome beside the River Thames at dusk, Greenwich, Greater London Authority
The inside of the Millennium Dome during its construction, Greenwich, Greater London Authority
Period: 1990s (1990 - 1999)
The Millennium Dome was built to house an exhibition called the 'Millennium Experience'.
The inside of the Millennium Dome during its construction, Greenwich, Greater London Authority
The General Steam Navigation Co, Deptford Creek, London
Period: World War Two (1939 - 1945)
The General Steam Navigation Co was a steamship company founded in 1820.
The General Steam Navigation Co, Deptford Creek, London
The Cutty Sark, Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich, Greater London
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
The Cutty Sark was a tea clipper, a type of boat. She was built in 1869 for use in the China tea trade.
The Cutty Sark, Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich, Greater London
Thames Polytechnic, Thomas Spencer Hall, Grand Depot Road, Woolwich, Greater London
Period: 1970s (1970 - 1979)
Interior of the student refectory and common room at the Thomas Spencer Hall of residence, part of Thames Polytechnic
Thames Polytechnic, Thomas Spencer Hall, Grand Depot Road, Woolwich, Greater London
Steamship Repair Yard, Woolwich Church Street, Woolwich, Greater London
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
These buildings were designed by officers of the Royal Engineers working within the Board of Ordnance.
Steamship Repair Yard, Woolwich Church Street, Woolwich, Greater London
Royal Observatory, Greenwich, Greater London
Period: Stuart (1603 - 1713)
A view of the Observatory from Greenwich Park with trees in the foreground.
Royal Observatory, Greenwich, Greater London
Royal Naval Hospital, Greenwich, London
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
An illustration of the Royal Naval Hospital showing Lord Nelson's funeral passing Greenwich on the River Thames.
Royal Naval Hospital, Greenwich, London
Visit grant-aided places near you
These places and buildings have been helped by Historic England's financial grants. Find local heritage in your neighbourhood that you never knew existed! Please note that opening times may vary.
St George Garrison Church, Grand Depot Road
The chapel of St George, Woolwich, is designated Grade II as a rare example of Early Christian/Lombardic Romanesque architecture from the...
