Date Published 27 January 2026
Abbey Wood - The neighbourhood with new transport options
25th January
Abbey Wood
By Poppy Huggett
Senior Reporter
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‘I took a trip to Abbey Wood and sensed a sleepy area starting to wake up' (Image: Newsquest)
‘I took a trip to Abbey Wood and sensed a sleepy area starting to wake up' (Image: Newsquest)
On a cold, rain-soaked winter's day, we decided there was no better time to explore Greenwich's up-and-coming pocket of Abbey Wood.
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I popped into the Abbey Café for a vanilla latte with oat milk and eggs benedict.
£15 later, I was full and fuelled, enjoying the friendly staff and the low-key local vibe.
It's a small, unassuming spot, just minutes from the station, but it's the kind of place that makes a neighbourhood feel welcoming.
The eggs benedict at Abbey Cafe (Image: Newsquest)
The High Street itself is quiet, with staples like Greggs, Sainsbury's, and the Abbey Arms pub, which looked surprisingly nice from outside.
Beyond that, it's a sleepy stretch - but that's all changing.
Abbey Wood high street area (Image: Newsquest)
With the Superloop SL11, the Elizabeth Line, and potential conversations to extend the DLR in the future, Abbey Wood is starting to catch the eye of developers.
New apartment blocks are already cropping up where post-war estates and industrial sites once stood.
One big milestone: City Hall recently approved a 25-storey tower beside Abbey Wood station, overturning Bexley Council's earlier refusal.
The £80 million development will bring over 200 homes and new retail, modernising the area, but not without sparking debate about the impact on the low-rise streets and even Lesnes Abbey.
Abbey Wood was originally imagined as 'the town of tomorrow,' with 1960s Brutalist homes and elevated walkways, but most of that vision never came to life.
Today, it's traditional redbrick houses, sleepy streets, and lots of potential.
Nearby green spaces like Bostall Heath and the Thamesmead waterways are perfect for a stroll, and the improved transport links make central London just 20 minutes away.
From Abbey Wood station, I hopped on the Elizabeth Line into central London - six stops and 20 minutes later, I was impressed.
The new station already feels like a lifeline for the area and will be a huge boost for regeneration plans.
Property-wise, Abbey Wood is steadily on the up: average house prices are £415,282, with terraced homes at £433,428, flats £234,137, and semi-detached properties £492,292.
So yes, it's quiet now, but with new transport, shiny apartments, and regeneration plans kicking off, Abbey Wood feels like a sleepy neighbourhood with big plans.
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Walking and outdoors
Abbey Wood
