Page 6 | Is Thamesmead, SE London, a rough area?

Bavon · 2023-04-05T10:01:54+00:00

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

Spencer9 · 26/08/2023 03:47

Are you taking the piss? Woolwich is vile and possibly the worst location in London…. Disgusting

Spencer9 · 26/08/2023 03:50

Is it that bad ? Really ? Mmmmm

arlequin · 26/08/2023 09:30

Spencer9 · 26/08/2023 03:47

Are you taking the piss? Woolwich is vile and possibly the worst location in London…. Disgusting

It's getting so much better these days.

greenwichwire.co.uk/2023/08/17/work-to-transform-woolwichs-market-square-will-begin-next-month/

And the Royal Arsenal is really nice!

Southwest12 · 26/08/2023 09:46

It's been interesting reading all the replies. I only ever went to the retail park at Thamesmead, oh and Crossness for one of their open days!

I did live in Plumstead Common for 8 years and loved it, moved in 2016 when I moved to Liverpool. I always felt safe around the common, and even in Woolwich late at night. I remember the Plumstead Pantry (as was) opening and the outcry from some over the prices and how "fancy" it was.

Woolwich was quite run down, but I liked it. You could go out looking like a scruff and be fine. Starbucks even opened, many happy Sunday mornings sat there watching the world go by. Now I can jump the bus to Bootle Strand and it's the same kind of vibe.

godlikeAI · 26/08/2023 09:49

I live in another part of Greenwich and struggle to comprehend that Thamesmead is in the same borough, quite honestly. It was built with great intentions, but as with so many things, plans were scaled back and with it being quite isolated geographically, it has become a strange sort of place. Parts of the original still in place, some random regeneration, lots left to developers to figure out (they just went to make money). The result is a strange expanse of estates, new builds, and a lack of facilities. Not a great deal to recommend it as a nice environment to live in

As for Woolwich - not great but not a complete shit hole either.

MoChridhe · 26/08/2023 09:54

A black colleague lived i thamesmead about 15 years ago and had eggs thrown at her at the bus stop by white youths on 3 occasions. It was very rough then.

OneTC · 26/08/2023 11:07

Spencer9 · 26/08/2023 03:47

Are you taking the piss? Woolwich is vile and possibly the worst location in London…. Disgusting

It has got much better recently but yeah it's still one of the few bits of London that make Croydon look nice

EntreMummy · 26/08/2023 12:07

Plumstead Common is a great place to live. Green space, lots of nearby woodland for walking in. Lovely schools.
The sense of community you get here is so reassuring and absolutely loads of young families.
and it’s possible to live here without being rich.
(and never visit the high street.)

now with Lizzy line it is brilliant to be so quickly into central London.

Thamesmead’s lack of transport infrastructure gives
it a strange “cut off” feel.

Chilbolton · 27/08/2023 00:00

To be fair, it's not just Belmarsh- you've got three prisons in Thamesmead. A bit harder to find sushi though.

Jumpingthruhoops · 27/08/2023 00:24

ToBeOrNotToBee · 05/04/2023 12:35

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

I know many people who wouldn't touch Woolwich if you paid them!

Herne · 27/08/2023 00:26

It's bad, I used to live in Belvedere 18 months ago and that was going downhill then too, I come from SE london so not afraid of rough areas but after witnessing someone get attacked in the Abbey Arms and someone shooting at another local pub in Belvedere (renowned for travellers) I'm glad I left!!

HRTQueen · 27/08/2023 00:29

It’s not a nice area

it’s poor it’s run down

Plumstead at least had nice properties and a small high street it’s improving I can’t see that with Thamesmead and crime is very high

icallitasplodge · 27/08/2023 00:30

I have a romantic notion of thamesmead because of all the films, tv shows. I quite like the ideology of the buildings, and brutalist architecture.

ive never set foot there, can you tell! I suppose realistically it’s cheap for a reason.

HRTQueen · 27/08/2023 00:36

Don’t burst your bubble and visit icall

Comedycook · 27/08/2023 09:26

icallitasplodge · 27/08/2023 00:30

I have a romantic notion of thamesmead because of all the films, tv shows. I quite like the ideology of the buildings, and brutalist architecture.

ive never set foot there, can you tell! I suppose realistically it’s cheap for a reason.

I really dislike the term 'brutalist' architecture. It blows my mind that shit buildings and hideous concrete tower blocks and flats have been given a name which insinuates some thought and care went into the design and build.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 27/08/2023 10:45

In fairness real thought and care DID go into the design and construction of places like Thamesmead. Misguided it may have been, and also let down by the realities of lack of funding for maintenance and also reflecting a poor understanding of the residents behaviour and needs. But the architects and planners were trying to achieve something new and better.

Trinity65 · 27/08/2023 13:23

TheYearOfSmallThings · 27/08/2023 10:45

In fairness real thought and care DID go into the design and construction of places like Thamesmead. Misguided it may have been, and also let down by the realities of lack of funding for maintenance and also reflecting a poor understanding of the residents behaviour and needs. But the architects and planners were trying to achieve something new and better.

Well Said

My Uncle and Aunt were among the first tenants there and I remember being very impressed with the underfloor heating all flats had, well before there time.

Comedycook · 27/08/2023 13:52

TheYearOfSmallThings · 27/08/2023 10:45

In fairness real thought and care DID go into the design and construction of places like Thamesmead. Misguided it may have been, and also let down by the realities of lack of funding for maintenance and also reflecting a poor understanding of the residents behaviour and needs. But the architects and planners were trying to achieve something new and better.

I'm sure....but the whole concept of "brutalism" sounds like something estate agents dreamed up to sell shit holes.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 27/08/2023 14:13

It actually dates back to the 1950s and a deliberate effort to move away from nostalgic designs referring back to Victorian housing.

Like you I used to have no time for it because I grew up in the 1980s and 1990s when it was fully out of favour and mostly run down and battered looking. But having spent time exploring these estates and New Towns with a friend who was researching them, I came to appreciate the ideals and ambition behind them.

newnamethanks · 27/08/2023 14:29

No matter how well planned the architecture, infrastructure and maintenance to support residents was poor to non-existent. Compare the very expensive Barbican with Thamesmead today.

Comedycook · 27/08/2023 14:29

TheYearOfSmallThings · 27/08/2023 14:13

It actually dates back to the 1950s and a deliberate effort to move away from nostalgic designs referring back to Victorian housing.

Like you I used to have no time for it because I grew up in the 1980s and 1990s when it was fully out of favour and mostly run down and battered looking. But having spent time exploring these estates and New Towns with a friend who was researching them, I came to appreciate the ideals and ambition behind them.

Interesting...I always assumed it was just the cheapest way to build rather than a deliberate aesthetic. I find it absolutely horrible! Will have a google and read more around it.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 27/08/2023 17:50

My DB just sold something online to someone who came round in person to collect and had a Victorian house for sale in Thamesmead.

My stepdad had to work out that way in Kidbrooke and knows Thamesmead and he said he wouldn’t live there. I know ex colleagues who live in Fakconwood and Sidcup which they liked.

To a PP who said Woolwich makes Croydon look nice well I don’t know Woolwich that much apart from Woolwich Works but Croydon is near me and is an utter shithole. Only thing going for it is it’s safe as an area. The shopping part is dire, Waitrose gone and big sainsburys in Whitgiff Centre also due to close. For some reason I have a soft spot for Surrey Street market ;’(daters back to Roman times apparently).

icallitasplodge · 27/08/2023 19:50

Brutalist architecture is gorgeous in my eyes. I love it. The concept, the idealism, the use of modern materials in an urban artistic way, and the whole thing was planned for calm - that is why you have so much water there, it’s deliberate as a feature. Trellick Tower and Erno Goldfingers other buildings, the Barbican and the Le Corbusier buildings are beautiful. What I see in a brutalist building is hope. The style is famously “ethics over aesthetics”.

The problem was the implementation and that the government found they could scrimp on materials, architectural design, not everyone was skilled at putting them together, and they put poorer people in them creating effectively, slums.

So while I love the concept, without the infrastructure and the desire to maintain it, it doesn’t work.

AccidentalLordland · 12/12/2023 07:38

I have lived in Central Thamesmead for 8 years and never had any issues. When I was looking to buy a house back in 2015 (no Elizabeth Line), everyone said bad things about Thamesmead but what they didn't mentioned about the plenty of green spaces, 3 lakes and possibilty of living very close to river. The properties here are big compared to the box-size rooms in overpriced 'So Nice Neighbourhoods' while still being affordable.
The place is not crowded compared to other boroughs of London. I can cycle to Canary Wharf in 35 minutes without ever going on a regular road.
There are more black people but I haven't found them creating issues.
There are smells, no doubt about it, but it is not a persistent smell.
I am happy to live in Thamesmead. 😀