Forces Woolwich Station Information Portal

Woolwich

The Royal Artillery Barracks at Woolwich in SE London is the former Regimental home and Headquarters of The Royal Artillery (now based in Wiltshire). The Barracks were built between 1776 and 1802: it was famous for having the longest continuous building facade in the UK as well as for having the largest parade square of any UK Barracks. It was the location of the Royal Arsenal complex, which was the British Government's principal armaments manufacturing facility for over 200 years, and the Royal Military Academy . The military hospital at Woolwich closed in the mid 1990s. Woolwich Common is still a designated military training area.

The historic barracks were reopened in 2010 after a two-year regeneration programme. The site had been earmarked for closure until the decision was made to create the Woolwich Development Project which included upgrading the barracks. Currently home to 2nd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (2 PWRR) and The Royal Artillery Band.  The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery relocated from St John's Wood to a new purpose-built equestrian training facility and accommodation centre in Woolwich Garrison in early February 2012.  The unit had been stationed at St John's Wood Barracks since its formation by King George VI in 1947 - there has been a military presence in St John's Wood for almost two hundred years; the site having been a military riding school since 1825, and used exclusively by the Royal Horse Artillery since 1880. 

No 7 Company Coldstream Guards is an incremental public duties company stationed in Woolwich Barracks which has a wide range of ceremonial commitments as well as taking part in numerous military and overseas adventurous training exercises.

Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards, largely focused on public duties and state ceremonial events, is also based at Woolwich. Nijmegen Company undertakes regular training exercises in England and overseas.

The shooting events at the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in London will be held at a temporary venue at the Barracks.


The information on this site has been compiled from various sources accessible on the internet:  acknowledgements are due to The British Army Website, the HIVE website, and Wikipedia. 
The site is intended to be an impartial and useful source of information about the Forces Base and surrounding area for members of HM Armed Forces, their families and civilians working on the Base. There should be nothing of a sensitive nature as everything here is readily available on the internet.  If you spot anything that is out of date or just plain wrong, please contact us.