Charlton Riverside facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charlton Riverside(New Charlton) |
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.jpg) Aerial view of Charlton Riverside, seen from the north looking south, 2018 |
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 Charlton Riverside
(New Charlton) |
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| London borough | |
| Ceremonial county | Greater London |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | SE7 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| London Assembly |
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Charlton Riverside, also known as New Charlton, is an area in London, England. It sits along the south bank of the famous river Thames in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. This part of London used to be mostly factories and industries, especially known for making glass and ropes. Today, Charlton Riverside is changing a lot, with new homes, shops, and businesses being built.
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Where is Charlton Riverside?
Charlton Riverside is located in the Greenwich area. It's bordered by the river Thames to the north. To the south, you'll find the main road called the A206 (Woolwich Road). On its western side, it meets the Greenwich Peninsula. To the east, it borders Woolwich near the impressive Thames Barrier.
Some parts of the area, like the Westminster Estate, are sometimes thought of as part of Charlton Riverside. Historically, this estate was considered part of Woolwich. From 1863 to 1968, a big factory called Siemens Brothers was located here. Many people living in New Charlton worked at this factory. Interestingly, Charlton Athletic F.C. played their first football matches at Siemens Meadow from 1905 to 1907. Today, plans for Charlton Riverside include the Westminster Estate, Charlton railway station, and a small part of Charlton Church Lane.
A Look Back: History of Charlton Riverside
Charlton Riverside started to develop with factories and industries in the mid-1800s. This growth really took off after a private railway line opened in 1852, leading to Angerstein Wharf.
One very important factory was the Siemens Brothers Telegraph Works, which opened in 1863. Even though much of it was in Woolwich, it was a major employer for the area. This company made two new transatlantic cables in the 1880s, which helped connect continents. They also helped with the secret "PLUTO" project during World War II, which involved underwater oil pipelines.
However, after the 1960s, many of the original factories in the area started to close down. Siemens Brothers, for example, closed in 1968. This period is known as deindustrialization, meaning industries moved away.
New Beginnings: Regeneration and Modern Changes
Since the 1980s, especially after the Thames Barrier opened, Charlton Riverside has been undergoing big changes. The Mayor of London recognized it as an "Opportunity Area" in 2008 and 2011. This means it's a place with lots of potential for new development.
A plan called the Charlton Riverside Masterplan was agreed upon in 2012 and updated in 2017. This plan aims to create new neighborhoods with medium-sized buildings and many homes for families. It also plans for new streets and open spaces, keeping in mind the area's industrial past.
In 2013, the Royal Greenwich UTC, a special college, opened as part of this plan. It later became the Royal Greenwich Trust School in 2016. Nearby is Windrush Primary School, which used to be Maryon Park School.
The area has also seen many new shops and businesses open. The Greenwich Shopping Park, Peninsula Retail Park, and Stone Lake Retail Park are all here. A large Sainsbury's supermarket opened in 2015. Sainsbury's also has a huge distribution center in New Charlton, which was rebuilt and reopened in 2013. In 2019, a big IKEA store also opened in the area.
What You Can Find in Charlton Riverside Today
Charlton Riverside is home to about 400 businesses. It's divided into two main parts: the northern part along the river and the southern part with many shops.
Northern Part: Riverside Views
Along the river, you can still find some industrial businesses. For example, Aggregate Industries operates a facility at Angerstein Wharf. They handle materials like sand and gravel for construction.
The southern end of the famous Thames Barrier, which protects London from floods, is located here. It opened in 1983. The Thames Path, a walking route along the river, was created shortly after and officially opened in 1996.
There's one pub still open in this area called the Anchor & Hope. It has an outdoor cafe with views of the Thames. You can also see some old "watermen's stairs" here, which were used by river workers. A former pub, the Thames Barrier Arms, is now a veterinary clinic. There's also an indoor paintball facility on a former factory site.
Southern Part: Shopping and More
The southern part of Charlton Riverside, along Woolwich Road and Bugsby's Way, is now a major shopping destination. You'll find large stores like Asda, Sainsbury's, Makro, Argos, and Marks & Spencer.
In the southwest corner, near Woolwich Road and Aldeburgh Street, there are some homes. You'll also find the Ropery Business Park, which has many smaller businesses.
Images for kids
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Conveyors handling bulk aggregate
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Cemex Silos at Angerstein Wharf
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The Anchor & Hope public house
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Reconstructed watermen's stairs
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Thames Path near the Anchor & Hope
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Thames Path near Thames Barrier
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Thames Barrier park and administrative buildings
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Former Thames Barrier Arms public house
