Skip to site navigation

Accessibility Options

Font size

Colour scheme

Leisure and recreation

 
The people and heritage of Greenwich contribute to a unique and distinctive cultural geography.

Arts and culture

The people and heritage of Greenwich contribute to a unique and distinctive cultural geography.
Arts and culture.

At least 1,000 artists, musicians and performers live in Greenwich. An estimated 8,000 are employed in the following sectors:

  • publishing
  • architecture
  • advertising
  • tourism
  • fashion
  • television
  • multimedia
    • Greenwich has several venues for theatrical and cultural events, including Greenwich Theatre, Blackheath Halls, Greenwich Dance Agency and the Bob Hope Theatre. Visit the links on the right for more information.

    Arts events are organised throughout the year by a range of agencies including Greenwich Council, arts companies and local groups. These include Black History Month, Eltham Lights Up, Greenwich Anti Racist Festival and Greenwich and Docklands International Festival.

    The Arts and Culture Office manages an e-mail information service for local artists and practitioners ‘Artsgreenwich’ which keeps members up to date with news in the sector and helps promote individual projects and events.

    Greenwich is also a popular location for filming, both television and cinema. For more information visit the webpages on The Film Unit.

    Sport and leisure

    Residents have the benefits of 10 leisure centres run by Greenwich Leisure Limited on behalf of the Council. These have a variety of activities and range from swimming pools to centres with wet & dry facilities, snack bars and function rooms.  Activities are programmed for all age groups, from toddlers to older people.

    Libraries

    Greenwich libraries are undergoing a massive transformation as part of the council’s plans to modernise its services. 

    Three new council services centres are being created offering conveniently placed, upgraded leisure and council services for local people. As parts of these plans, new state-of-the-art libraries will be created in some of the centres, alongside education and leisure facilities and access to a range of council services. 

    Whatever your tastes, Greenwich’s 13 libraries have plenty to offer – from your favourite authors and music to the latest films on DVD and free Internet access.

    There’s a lot going on too, from reading groups to baby rhyme times and storytelling sessions.

    Our three largest libraries offer a full range of services and are located at:

    Woolwich Library also houses the borough reference and information service.

    Our 10 smaller model libraries serve local communities and all offer book, music and DVD loans, photocopying facilities, newspapers and magazines and study materials as well as collections of books and CDs for people who want to improve their reading skills.

    Greenwich also operates a mobile library service which stops at regular sites across the borough and will visit schools, nurseries and other sites by appointment.      

    A special Home Library Service is also provided for housebound borrowers.

    Community centres

    Civic and Community Services manages and facilitates the operation of the Town Hall, and a network of Community Centres and halls, listed below.  The key function of the service is to provide a meeting space for the community who take part in a wide variety of activities.

    Woolwich Town Hall
    Wellington Street, Woolwich SE18 6PW  
    Tel: 020 8854 8888   Email: townhall@greenwich.gov.uk

    Charlton House, located on Charlton Road, is a thriving community centre and a focal point within the local community. It is an ideal venue for private functions such as civil marriage ceremonies, wedding receptions, conferences, parties and outdoor community events.
    Tel: 020 8856 3951  Email: charlton.house@greenwich.gov.uk

    Glyndon Community Recreation Centre, 75 Raglan Road, Plumstead, SE18 7LB is also directly managed by the council and is situated on Glyndon Estate in Plumstead. Serving the needs of local residents, a wide variety of activities take place at the centre.  Contact the centre for hall bookings
    Tel: 020 8855 9981  Email: glyndon.community@greenwich.gov.uk

    Other Community Recreation Halls directly managed and owned by Greenwich Council are:

    Caletock Hall   
    Armitage Road,
    Greenwich
    London SE10 OHH  
    Tel: 020 8855 9981    
             
    Coldharbour Hall   
    William Barefoot Drive
    Eltham
    London SE9 3JD  
    Tel: 020 8855 9981   
             
    Ferrier Hall    
    Teleman Square,
    Blackheath
    London SE3 9YR  
    Tel: 020 8855 9981   
                
    Invicta Hall
    Strandfield Close
    Woolwich
    London SE18 1LA  
    Tel: 020 8855 9981   
        
    Slade Hall      
    Pendrell Street
    Woolwich
    London SE18 2PJ  
    Tel: 020 8855 9981 

    Festivals

    Festivals are a major part of the leisure programme, especially during the summer months.

    The Greenwich and Docklands International Festival brings spectacular large scale street theatre events to the area each year, while the Anti-Racist Festival is one of the largest in London, attracting over 20,000 visitors.

    Smaller events take place throughout the year, organised by a variety of community groups and supported by the Council, including Carnival 365 (C365), Asian Mela, Riverfront Jazz Festival and Greenwich Film Festival.   For more information search our What's on calendar.

    A to Z of Services