A short history
Two substantial 18th century houses situated south of Mycanae Gardens set on course the history of modern day Westcombe Park. One was known interchangeably as West Combe or Westcombe Park/house or Manor. This was built in the 1720s and stood for 130 years. It boasted 50 acres of gardens and was home (rented rather than owned) by likes of the banker Alexander Baring.
In 1774, a wealthy merchant named John Julius Angerstein built the other significant property, Woodlands. He was the first chairman of Lloyd’s of London and bought the paintings which would later form the first collection of the National Gallery. This house, which later housed the borough’s history library, is now home to Greenwich Steiner School.
During the 1850s and 1860s, land to the south of Westcombe Park Road was laid out as the Vanbrugh Park estate. When Westcombe Park Station opened in 1876 it encouraged the development of further plots. Those that weren’t taken up were filled in after the Second Work War.
Green spaces and going out
Aside from Blackheath itself, residents of Westcombe Park can also enjoy the green spaces of Mycenae Gardens and the Woodlands Dell. All the pubs, bars and restaurants in Greenwich Peninsula are just a short walk north. Greenwich Theatre, meanwhile, is regarded as one of the foremost off-West End theatres in London.
Transport
There are two stations, Westcombe Park and Maze Hill which connect to Cannon Street in 20 minutes. North Greenwich tube station is accessible by bus from nearby Blackheath Standard (14 mins) and from there it’s just one stop to Canary Wharf.
Did you know?
The TV personality and musician Jools Holland has a recording studio complex in Westcombe Park.
