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This area of south-east London lies on the eastern outskirts of the city, next to Woolwich.

Originally the area was marshland with the main inhabitants being the monks of Lesnes Abbey. And as you would expect the name of the district comes from this abbey and the woods that used to surround it.

The monastery had closed by the 16th century and the next main occupier of the district was the Woolwich Arsenal. Throughout the 19th century the area was used as a weapons testing area for the navy.

By the end of the 19th century things had changed dramatically. For once the railway reached the district Abbey Wood developed rapidly into a massive residential district. And it remains a largely residential area today.