Old Ordnance Survey Maps of North Woolwich
We have published more than 1,800 maps in our series of Old Ordnance Survey
Map reprints, some 300 of them in the London area. The maps are highly detailed. They are taken
from the OS 1:2,500 (or 25 inch) maps and reduced to about 15 inches to the mile. They show streets with individual houses, tram tracks,
railway tracks and even signals, factories, wharves and such details as fountains and water troughs. They will
provide hours of fascination for historians and genealogists. The maps are neatly folded
and each includes a specially written introduction to the area. Maps can be purchased on our On-line Mapshop
where further information about titles is given. For other information and Prices, see Index Page.
Here are the details of maps for North Woolwich:
London Sheet 81.1 North Woolwich 1869 - published 1986; introduction by Howard Bloch
London Sheet 81.2 North Woolwich 1894 - published 1988; introduction by Howard Bloch
We have published two versions of this map, showing how the area developed across the years. The maps each cover the same
area, with North Woolwich well covered but also with a stretch of Woolwich proper, including the High Street and waterfront, at the foot of the map. The area developed greatly over these years,
so the maps are described separately below:
The 1869 map shows North Woolwich at an early stage of development. The railway is shown to North Woolwich station, and near it are the Pavilion Gardens, complete with maze, ball room and dancing platform.
To the west are a few factories and houses, while all around is marshland. South of the river is part of Woolwich with the High Street, piers etc. Our map is labelled "For War Department Purposes Only" and so is remarkable
for showing the War Office lands in full, information normally censored out. This includes a good section of the Royal Arsenal, including Military Store Department and Royal Gun Factory
Department; details such as railway tracks, mortar beds, cranes, even latrines are shown. West of the High Street similar detail is given
for the old dockyard, which launched its last ship in 1869. Here slipways, stores, capstans, docks etc are shown. On the reverse we include an even larger scale map of
Woolwich High Street, from the 10ft to the mile map (here reduced in scale to 5ft to the mile). Wonderful detail.
The 1894 map is very different. Woolwich itself is less interesting here, for the War Dept areas are left blank for security reasons. But North Woolwich is now far more developed. Industry includes Henley's electric telegraph works,
but the major new feature is the Royal Albert Dock, most of which is included, including the Basin and locks to Gallions Reach. On its north side Manor Way and Gallions stations are shown. This area would later see the George V Dock and
today the City Airport. As a bonus, on the reverse, along with Howard Bloch's introduction, we include the complete OS Index map to the London Series, a valuable map
in its own right to those collecting this series.
An index map showing the areas covered by this and adjacent maps is available here. The map links up with
London Sheets 67 Beckton to the north, 80 Silvertown to the west, 82 Plumstead Marshes to the east,
94 Woolwich to the south.
Follow this link for a complete list of our London maps .
You can order maps direct from our On-line Mapshop.
For other information and Prices, see Index Page.
Maps in the Godfrey Edition are taken from the 25 inch to the mile map and reduced to about 15 inches to the mile.
For a full list of maps for London, return to the London page
The Godfrey Edition / godfreyedition@btinternet.com / 26 October 2005
