Once dismissed as a sleepy outpost of Bexley and Greenwich, this pocket of SE2 is now firmly on the radar – for better and worse – as regeneration and investment transform the neighbourhood’s skyline, transport links, and community character.
At the heart of Abbey Wood’s identity is its namesake: Lesnes Abbey, a 12th-century ruin that still anchors the area both physically and spiritually.
The surrounding Lesnes Abbey Woods, with their winding trails and fossil-rich slopes, offer an unexpected dose of calm less than a 10-minute walk from the busy station.
It’s here that you’ll find families, dog walkers, and the occasional yoga class taking advantage of the open space.
Since the arrival of the Elizabeth line, Abbey Wood has changed at a pace that locals could once hardly imagine.
What was a 45-minute trundle into central London on a good day has become a 20-minute zip to Canary Wharf or 30 minutes to Tottenham Court Road.
The improved connection has brought a flurry of attention from developers, with shiny new apartment blocks now springing up where post-war estates and light industrial sites once stood.
That transformation hit a new milestone recently when City Hall approved plans for a 25-storey tower beside Abbey Wood station, overturning Bexley Council’s earlier refusal.
The £80 million project will bring more than 200 homes and new retail units to the area.
Supporters hail it as another step towards modernising Abbey Wood’s town centre; critics worry it could overwhelm the low-rise character of nearby streets and cast shadows over Lesnes Abbey itself.
Police have also stepped-up patrols in and around Bostall Woods and Thamesmead after reports of anti-social behaviour and low-level drug activity.
According to the Metropolitan Police Service website, The Abbey Wood Safer Neighbourhood Team made several arrests over the summer.
Pop-up markets, school fairs, and youth football sessions on the new Abbey Wood Park pitches all continue to bring people together.
The area’s cultural diversity is reflected in its cafés and restaurants, from Nigerian stews on Eynsham Drive to Turkish grills and Caribbean takeaways near the station.
Popular restaurants include Heart & Soul Flavour (Caribbean), The Plaice of Sole (Fish & Chips), and The Taj Mahal (Indian).
There’s also a quieter pride in Abbey Wood’s reputation as a place for first-time buyers and young families priced out of inner London.
While property prices have risen sharply since the Elizabeth line opened, they still sit below the London average, making the area a rare mix of affordability and accessibility.
According to RightMove, house prices in Abbey Wood have an overall average of £414,991 in 2025.
The majority of properties sold in Abbey Wood during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £423,142.
Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £497,708, with flats priced around £235,475.
