About Shooters Hill
One of the highest points in Greater London affording it far-reaching views of the city’s skyline including, on clear days, Wembley Stadium, Shooters Hill lies between Plumstead and Eltham and enjoys vast amounts of green space.
A short history
Stories vary but the name either came from the area being used for archery practice during the Middle Ages (when it was densely wooded) or from highwaymen that used to congregate at top of the hill assessing their next prey. In the 18th century several wealthy families cleared parcels of woodland to build grand houses with landscaped gardens, but none remain today. All the trappings of a village began to take shape in Shooters Hill from the mid-19th century as developers moved in to established rows of terraced housing.
George Wimpey (founder of Taylor Wimpey) laid out the Shooters Hill estate in the 1930s but most of the higher parts of the hill were saved from further development by the London County Council. They purchased land for public space that is now designated a site of special scientific interest.
Thanks to its advantage point, the area was used as a site for anti-aircraft guns protecting London during the Second World War. During that time, a prisoner of war camp was established in Shrewsbury Park.
Green spaces and going out
Oxleas Woods is one of the last remaining ancient woodlands in London. It covers over 190 acres and is popular with walkers and cyclists (those who can cope with the hilly topography). Eaglesfield Park lies at the summit of the hill and offers views of the Kent countryside while the golf course at Shrewsbury Park is one of the last remaining areas of farmland in inner London. The area has its own tennis club with four floodlit courts. Meanwhile there are a clutch of bars and restaurants around Shooters Hill and Red Lion lane.
Transport
While Shooters Hill doesn’t have a train station of its own, there are a variety of bus routes which go to Woolwich Arsenal, which take about 20 mins depending on traffic. From Woolwich Arsenal there are connections to Bank via the DLR (29 mins), trains to London Bridge (24 mins) and Crossrail services.
Did you know?
The singer-songwriter Boy George lived in Shooters Hill Road.
