Charlton

Charlton is a place in south-east London, in the London Borough of Greenwich, sandwiched between east Greenwich and the Woolwich Dockyard area of west Woolwich.

The core of the area is Charlton Village, which is situated on a hillside overlooking the River Thames, but suburban sprawl means the name is now applied to a large area reaching down to the south bank of the river - where the Thames Barrier is located.

The area's other most notable feature is Charlton House, a Jacobean mansion (architect: John Thorpe), built for Sir Adam Newton between 1607 and 1612. Sir Adam was tutor to Prince Henry, son of King James I of England, and was also responsible for building nearby St Luke's Church (burial place of Spencer Perceval (1762-1812), the only British Prime Minister to be assassinated).

Later, Charlton House became the home of the Maryon-Wilson family, after whom a nearby park is named. Since 1925, the house has been owned by the London Borough of Greenwich and has functioned as a library and community centre.

Charlton is perhaps best known as the home of Charlton Athletic F.C. The club plays at The Valley (a former chalk pit) situated to the north of the village, close to the main road and railway line between Greenwich and Woolwich.

Famous residents

• civil engineer William Henry Barlow (1812-1902) lived at 145 Charlton Road, SE7.
• Italian-born novelist Italo Svevo (1861-1928) lived at 67 Charlton Church Lane, SE7.

Transport

Nearest places:

• Blackheath
• Eltham
• Greenwich
• Woolwich

Nearest tube stations:

North Greenwich tube station

Nearest railway stations:

• Blackheath railway station
• Charlton railway station
• Westcombe Park railway station
• Woolwich Dockyard railway station

Road transport:

Charlton lies to the east of the southern approach to the Blackwall Tunnel crossing of the River Thames.