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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is Thamesmead, SE London, a rough area?

149 replies

Bavon · 05/04/2023 11:01

I've heard mixed things about this area. One person said "you don't wanna go there" . Is it as bad as people say?

OP posts:
JorisBonson · 05/04/2023 11:05

It's not a nice place, no. Not a lot redeeming about it. Easy to get to Abbey Wood and the lizzie line.

Lolaandbehold · 05/04/2023 11:06

Yes.

MrsSkylerWhite · 05/04/2023 11:09

Not great, no.

DrHousecuredme · 05/04/2023 11:09

I lived there 20+ years ago and it was horrible then. In the shadow of Belmarsh prison and created to house a lot of families who were creating issues in other areas.
It might have improved since then though.
Try Plumstead which is nearby and much nicer. This is where I ended up living and it was lovely.

JorisBonson · 05/04/2023 11:10

DrHousecuredme · 05/04/2023 11:09

I lived there 20+ years ago and it was horrible then. In the shadow of Belmarsh prison and created to house a lot of families who were creating issues in other areas.
It might have improved since then though.
Try Plumstead which is nearby and much nicer. This is where I ended up living and it was lovely.

It's pretty much as you describe today!

noimaginationforausername · 05/04/2023 11:14

Yes!

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 05/04/2023 11:16

I moved out of London 23 years ago. It was a shithole then and I doubt much has changed.

NillyNoMates · 05/04/2023 11:16

It was due to be regenerated about 20 years ago, but then the Kidbrooke estate got knocked down and lots of people were relocated to Thamesmead, so not much has changed.

Hellno45 · 05/04/2023 11:19

It depends we're in Thamesmead. Its okay in some areas but there isn't a huge amount there. Some areas are just terrible. imo plumbstead is worse. Look at Belvedere instead.

LexMitior · 05/04/2023 11:20

Thamesmead no, Plumstead no.

Both places have foul smelling air when you get out of the station. In the summer, totally vile.

MoonOverBroadway · 05/04/2023 11:22

It’s quite a depressing area. I wouldn’t say it’s particularly ‘rough’ these days, but it’s poor and it’s not very pretty.

OlympicProcrastinator · 05/04/2023 11:22

I mean…film makers deliberately film gangster / drug / violent scenes there. For good reason. It’s probably one of the worst places in London.

LlynTegid · 05/04/2023 11:26

I would not live there.

Seasonofthewitch83 · 05/04/2023 12:01

I live down the road in Abbey Wood in one of the nicer areas.

The issue is Thamesmead has fuck all there.

A retail park.

Thats it.

Its just sprawling housing estates.

Where abouts in Thamesmead are you looking?

There are pockets that are ok - I cycle with DD up to a nice playground overlooking the thames.

I also remember once a motorbike with thee men on it, all in balaclavas obviously looking for someone. The guy sat at the very back of the bike turned and looked at me and his eyes were both sinister and dead. It made my blood run cold.

Seasonofthewitch83 · 05/04/2023 12:02

LexMitior · 05/04/2023 11:20

Thamesmead no, Plumstead no.

Both places have foul smelling air when you get out of the station. In the summer, totally vile.

omg YES and the smell. All the factory plants in Erith wafting down the river.

Original poster
Bavon · 05/04/2023 12:33

Seasonofthewitch83 · 05/04/2023 12:01

I live down the road in Abbey Wood in one of the nicer areas.

The issue is Thamesmead has fuck all there.

A retail park.

Thats it.

Its just sprawling housing estates.

Where abouts in Thamesmead are you looking?

There are pockets that are ok - I cycle with DD up to a nice playground overlooking the thames.

I also remember once a motorbike with thee men on it, all in balaclavas obviously looking for someone. The guy sat at the very back of the bike turned and looked at me and his eyes were both sinister and dead. It made my blood run cold.

Ooh sounds dodgy that motorbike ! My ex used to live there but then he's also lived in Plumstead - I've heard mixed reports about it

OP posts:
twoshedsjackson · 05/04/2023 12:33

I did some supply teaching there about 20-odd years ago. It says a lot that the incumbent staff were amazed that a supply teacher had been persuaded to venture there.
On my drive in, I watched the (then new) Belmarsh Prison being built, and about 10 years later, went back to the court for jury service.
Ironically, because it was new build, some of the nicest school buildings I've ever had the pleasure of working in, and my colleagues were fantastic people.
But I would have thought twice about hanging around there after dark.....

ToBeOrNotToBee · 05/04/2023 12:35

I live in Woolwich, wouldn't touch Thamesmead if you paid me.

DrHousecuredme · 05/04/2023 12:36

@twoshedsjackson I taught in Thamesmead around the same time period, we might have met 😁

I'd sad about Plumstead though. I lived up near the common and my friends and immediate neighbourhood were lovely.

MrsHughesPinny · 05/04/2023 12:36

It’s really depressing and grim. I wouldn’t live there. Most of the residential is a bugger for public transport too, but it’s been a few years since I was there.

Sapphire387 · 05/04/2023 12:37

It's known as one of the worst areas in London. If you are thinking of moving there - take the advice on this thread and think again.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 05/04/2023 12:40

I’ve only ever been to Plumstead once, years ago, to a party. It seemed ok but I was young!

Thamesmead I’ve heard is rough and about 15 years ago I heard the same about Abbey Wood (a colleague lived there and didn’t love it). Apparently the Elizabeth line has meant Abbey Wood has vastly improved. I had no idea there is or was MoD in Abbey Wood.

OhMyCherriePie · 05/04/2023 12:43

I wouldn't live there personally. Are you the same person that was asking if Charlton is rough?

Ginmonkeyagain · 05/04/2023 12:44

Umm there is a reason they filmed A Clockwork Orange there.

Seasonofthewitch83 · 05/04/2023 12:44

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 05/04/2023 12:40

I’ve only ever been to Plumstead once, years ago, to a party. It seemed ok but I was young!

Thamesmead I’ve heard is rough and about 15 years ago I heard the same about Abbey Wood (a colleague lived there and didn’t love it). Apparently the Elizabeth line has meant Abbey Wood has vastly improved. I had no idea there is or was MoD in Abbey Wood.

The only thing has changed with the introduction of crossrail is there are now more crackheads pissing in the lifts before hanging outside the two betting shops, and now it costs £2300 a month to rent a shitbox small terrace house and the busses are packed. Crime is rife.

Great greenspace with the park and woodland and a few pockets of niceness e.g coffee kiosk in the park.