Plumstead: A diverse and green suburb in the heart of Greenwich

Plumstead is a large, multicultural district of South-East London located in the London borough of Greenwich.

It is also very close in proximity to Woolwich and Thamesmead. The area is home to many Asian, Afro-Caribbean and Eastern European communities, which have all helped to enrich the area with their cultural traditions, restaurants and events.

Crime in Plumstead is very low compared to other parts of London and there are a lot of green spaces.

It is an area that is more suited to the older generation, as there aren't a great to deal of facilities for teens and young adults.

Although there are some nightclubs in the locality, it is not known for its exciting nightlife.

However, as with many parts of London, there are some summer arts projects and festivals held in Plumstead, which are fun for all age groups.

The area is particularly appealing for the more mature demographic or those looking to settle down.

History

Plumstead was originally part of a monastery in the ninth century and then came under the rule of William the Conqueror in 1066, who then handed it over to his brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux.

In the 18th century, it expanded rapidly and housing was developed for workers at the Royal Arsenal.

At the time, the most popular type of housing was two-up, two-down terraced housing, which was often built close to the river Thames.

Larger housing was constructed for wealthier residents near Plumstead Common.

Lifestyle

As mentioned above, Plumstead is a culturally diverse community. It is very laid-back, relatively safe and very close to other central areas of London.

Plumstead Common is where people tend to congregate, mainly because there is not a great deal of other places to spend time with friends and loved ones, apart from the various restaurants and cafés in the area.

One of the best areas in Plumstead is Shooters Hill, which has many ancient landmarks and places of interest.

Facilities

Plumstead is well served by a number of facilities for the local community. This includes adventure playgrounds for young children, sporting facilities such as basketball courts and football pitches, as well as decent transport.

There are also a number of gyms, martial arts academies and shopping amenities.

Arts and entertainment

In the summertime, Plumstead comes alive with various arts workshops and festivals that draw in visitors from across the city.

One such event is the Plumstead Live Music Festival that takes place in late July. This year it will be held on July 27th from 3-8pm on Plumstead Common.

The festival will include free open air entertainment and is co-ordinated by the Greenwich Parks Forum, a network of 24 Friends of Parks groups.

There are also many independent groups in the area that host their own activities, workshops and events for individuals and families.

One of the biggest is Art Plumstead, which regularly runs self-financed art and cultural activities in and around Plumstead.

Property

There is a mix of different properties in the area. These include terraced housing, semi-detached homes, flats and new builds.

Most of the homes were constructed in the Victorian era and have been refurbished to bring them in line with modern standards.

The majority of sales in Plumstead during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £238,895.

Apartments sold for an average price of £172,824, with semi-detached properties typically going for £286,895.

Famous faces

A number of celebrities and famous politicians have lived and worked in the locality over the years.

This includes actor Michael Bradshaw and Marvin Humes, a member of the X-Factor finalist boy band, JLS.
Steve Davies, the world famous snooker champion also lived in the area during his youth as did Jack Ryder, an actor who played Jamie Mitchell from the TV soap Eastenders.

Conclusion

Although Plumstead is not the most lively place in the capital, it is an area that has been enriched by local residents, diverse communities and cultural activities that have really contributed to its popularity.

The green spaces and local facilities in the locality also act as a big draw for many families and older citizens.

Published 20th June, 2014

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