Charming Victorian House in Royal Greenwich with Garden and Free Parking/Wifi
(40 Reviews)
- Minimum stay:3-4 nights
- Sleeps:6
- Bedrooms:2
- Bathrooms:1
- Property type:House
- Internet:Yes
- Pets considered:Yes
- Wheel chair accessible:No
About the Property
2-bed House on a Quiet Street with Parks and Easy Access to Public Transport
From Woolwich Arsenal you have access to lots of transport options, depending on where you would like to go. This is useful if one service has a problem; there is always another way into the city center or back home again.
- DLR. A new above-ground addition to the Tube network. It takes 25 minutes to reach Tower Gateway station (for Tower Bridge and the Tower of London).
- Southeastern trains. They travel into central London, or out into Kent. It takes 20 minutes to reach London Bridge (for the Shard / Borough Market), or a few extra minutes to reach Waterloo Station (for the London Eye / Westminster / Big Ben / Tate Modern Gallery / Southbank) and Charing Cross Station (for Leicester Square / Buckingham Palace / Covent Garden / Trafalgar Square / National Gallery / Soho / West End)
- Thames Clipper boat service. It goes into central London, all the way to Westminster pier (for Westminster / Big Ben / the London Eye). This takes longer than the DLR or train but it is an enjoyable way to travel on a sunny day to enjoy the city from the water.
If you are happy to not be right in the middle of the city center, then you will benefit from Explorers' Rest being a much-loved and charming two-bed Victorian house (built circa 1890), offering you the opportunity to see what it feels like to really be a Londoner.
The house can sleep six people. There is one double bed in the master bedroom and one double bunk bed in the garden bedroom. Two additional single mattresses are also provided for use on the floor, if needed. A baby's cot is also supplied, along with a high chair and security gate for the stairs. Well-behaved pets are warmly welcomed.
Explorers' Rest has been lovingly prepared to help you relax and unwind after your long days exploring the city. Equipped as a full family home, Explorers' Rest should have everything you need to be as comfortable in London as you would be at home.
After a fun day of exploring, come home to a quiet Victorian neighbourhood and close the door on London's hustle and bustle. It's time to relax! Enjoy a BBQ picnic in your own private garden, unwind with a candlelit soak in the tub, stroll through the many parks in all directions, cozy up by the working fireplaces, enjoy a book from one of the bookshelves, or enjoy a film from the extensive DVD collection.
Our neighbours are quiet and friendly. Shops are conveniently just around the corner. The play area at the end of the street is a favorite with children. Parks stretch for miles in all directions. But best of all, public transport to all of London's tourist spots is right on your doorstep, literally a 30 second walk from the front door.
FAQ - GROCERIES:
There's a little Costcutter (and bakery and butchery) on the corner, less than a minute away by foot. There's also a Co-op a five minute walk away along the park. For even more selection, there's an enormous Tesco Extra 6-10 mins away by bus in the transport hub of Woolwich Arsenal that my guests use to travel into the center of London.
FAQ - GETTING INTO THE CENTER OF LONDON:
Simply get the bus (291) around the corner. It's about 30 seconds away on foot and comes every 10 minutes. Along the park by the Co-op there are also two other buses that pass (51 and 53), also arriving every 10 minutes.
All three of these buses go to the transport hub of Woolwich Arsenal in 6-10 mins and drop you off in front of the train/DLR station. Here, you can get the train or DLR. The train is fast but uneventful and the DLR is like the Tube, but it travels above ground (often above the buildings) so you can see the city as you travel. In both instances, you'll be in the center of London in 20-30 mins, depending on which station you want. Without changing, you can reach these stations:
ON THE TRAIN:
- WATERLOO (for the London Eye, Aquarium, Southbank, Big Ben, Westminster, Big Ben, #10 Downing, Imperial War Museum, Tate Modern, Southbank Center)
- CHARING CROSS (for Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Soho, West End, Covent Garden, Buckingham Palace, National Gallery, Oxford Street, Embankment, the Savoy Hotel)
- CANNON STREET (for London Bridge, St. Paul's, the Shard, Millennium Bridge, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Borough Market, HMS Belfast)
ON THE DLR:
- BANK (for St. Paul's Cathedral, Leadenhall Market, Spittalfields Market, Brick Lane, Fleet Street, financial district, heart of the city mile)
- TOWER GATEWAY (for Tower Bridge, Tower of London, St. Katherine's Dock, Butler's Wharf)
In addition to the above, one of the buses (53) that pass my house goes all the way to Westminster / Horse Guards Parade - but I don't recommend it for normal travel (only for the experience) - for it takes about an hour due to the traffic and all the stops. From Woolwich Arsenal, you can also get the Thames Clipper boat service, which is a definite must on a nice day. There are also a host of buses that you can get in Woolwich Arsenal that will take you all over in various directions.
VISITING THE COUNTRYSIDE / COAST / FRANCE:
There are some brilliant coastal areas to check out - all within 60-90 min: Southend-on-sea, Margate, Herne Bay, Ramsgate, Broadstairs (home of Charles Dickens) and Brighton. You can do a day trip and cover most of these in one (very full) day - or relax in just one if you're looking to unwind.
The Kent countryside (and beyond) is also full of fun places to explore and slightly closer than the coast at 20-90 min away. My recommendations are: Cambridge, Rochester, Canterbury, Rye, Sandwich (perfectly forgotten in time), Royal Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Chilham (absolutely adorable and tiny).
Windsor, Winchester and Oxford are a bit further away (about two hours), but doable and worth it if you're keen on any of them.
France is also very easy to access from here for a day or weekend trip via the Eurostar train, the ferry or the Eurotunnel (crossings are a little over an hour from the Explorers' Rest). Full details will be in your welcome package.
Owner
Member since: 2011
Property Type
- House
- 800 sq. ft.
House Rules
- Max. occupancy 6
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Meals
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
Onsite Services
- Housekeeper Optional
- Housekeeping
- Massage
Suitability
- Long-Term Renters Welcome
- Singles
Bedrooms: 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6, Beds for 6
Bathrooms: 1 Bathroom
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- Books For Adults
- Books For Kids
- CD Player
- Games For Kids
- Radio
- VCR
Theme
- Adventure
- Family
- Historic
- Romantic
- Sports & Activities
- Tourist Attractions
Attractions
- Autumn Foliage
- Churches
- Cinemas
- Forests
- Library
- Live Theater
- Museums
- Playground
- Pond
- Recreation Center
- Restaurants
- Ruins
- Synagogues
Local Services & Businesses
- ATM/Bank
- Babysitter
- Fitness Center
- Groceries
- Hospital
- Laundromat
- Massage Therapist
- Medical Services
Leisure Activities
- Bird Watching
- Gambling Casinos
- Horseback Riding
- Outlet Shopping
- Scenic Drives
- Sight Seeing
- Walking
Location Type
- Downtown
- Town
- Village
Sports & Adventure Activities
- Cycling
- Equestrian Events
- Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Golf
- Golf Privileges Optional
- Hiking
- Ice Skating
- Mountain Biking
- Paragliding
- Roller Blading
- Sailing
- Swimming
- Tennis
Dining
- Child's Highchair
- Dining Area
- Seating for 6 people
General
- Activities Guide
- Alarm Clock
- Baby Gate
- Basic Soaps
- Firewood
- Hair Dryer
- Iron & Board
- Laundry Soap
- Local Activities Guide
- Local Maps
- Local Restaurant Guide
- Mobile Phone
- Paper Towels
- Parking On Street
- Printer
- Safe
- Scanner
- Shampoo
- Toilet Paper
Kitchen
- 4 Ring Stove
- Coffee Grinder
- Grill
Outside
- Deck Furniture
- Outdoor Furniture
- Patio
- Terrace
- Yard
House Cleaning
- Housekeeper Optional
Property Descriptor
- Terraced
Location
Car: Not Necessary
RARE LONDON LUXURY: FREE PARKING!
There is free parking just outside my front door, on a quiet residential street with no through-traffic. Even if you arrive with a car, I highly advise that you use public transport if you're going any closer to the centre of the city than Blackheath Village or Downtown Greenwich.
LOCATION
Explorers' Rest is situated in the quiet, leafy, Victorian residential area of Plumstead Common inside the borough of Royal Greenwich. Most houses in the area are similar in age to mine, about 100-120 years old. They are also terraced in style, meaning they are in a long line, all side by side, with bay windows and chimney pots on the top.
The locals are a mix of working class (blue collar) and middle class (white collar) so you'll have lawyers, police officers, teachers, nurses, and builders all living side by side. It's a predominantly white British neighbourhood, whereas Plumstead down the hill is predominantly Indian and Woolwich Arsenal, also down the hill, is predominantly African.
TRANSPORTATION
Three bus routes pass my house (291,51,53) and they all take you into Woolwich Arsenal, the major transport hub for Southeast London, in 7-10 minutes.
One bus that passes my house (53) takes you all the way to Westminster / Big Ben / London Eye / Buckingham Palace.
From Woolwich Arsenal, you can get the train, DLR (overground tube), or boat to any London attraction you could possibly want to enjoy in 20-30 minutes, depending on which area you're going to. During Monday to Friday, there are free newspapers available on the trains that you can enjoy on the journey.
AROUND MY HOUSE
My house is ideally situated for people who want to easily access the tourist attractions of London via public transport, but would prefer to live like a local in a safe, quiet neighbourhood with a private garden, parks in all directions, shops and bus stops around the corner, and a handy play area for children a minute's walk away.
GREENWICH
Bus 53 comes past my house and will take you to the top of Greenwich Park, where you'll find the Observatory and Meridian line for Greenwich Mean Time. Down the hill from this, through the park, you'll find yourself in the heart of downtown Royal Greenwich and surrounded by beautiful Royal historical sites and buildings, including the Maritime Museum and the Old Royal Naval College, now Greenwich University.
OUTSIDE LONDON
Our location is also ideal for exploring the Kent countryside in the Southeast of England. I provide train maps and lots of tourist information to help you decide if you'd like to have a day out of the city to explore something that can only be found in the countryside. Also from Woolwich Arsenal, you can get trains to these locations outside the city.
EXPLORING EUROPE
If you're using my home as your European base for a few weeks or more, you'll be pleased to know that City Airport is just 20 minutes from my front door on public transport. From here, you can fly all over Europe if you fancy a quick city escape to explore some other parts of Europe.
Likewise, it's very easy to rent a car and drive over to France on the ferry or through the Eurotunnel to do some shopping for French products or to explore a bit of France or Belgium for a couple of days.
FOR GOLF ENTHUSIASTS
Shooters Hill Golf Club is the nearest at 1.5 miles away. Golf was first played here in 1903 and is full of history as a Prisoner of War camp for some 1000 German and Italian prisoners (www.shgc.uk.com/).
Three other courses are all about four miles away. Firstly, Royal Blackheath Golf Club, believed to be the oldest golf club in the world, dating to 1608, with 36 holes over 110 acres.
Secondly, Eltham Warren Golf Club (18 holes), founded in 1890, and one of England’s oldest nine hole courses.
Finally, Bexleyheath Golf Club, founded in 1909 and sure to given even the expert golfer some impressive challenges. All warmly welcome visitors.
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2006
About the owner: My name is Krista and I'm in my mid-thirties. I am Canadian but have been living in the UK since September 2002. In August 2005 I put an offer in on my house, Explorers' Rest, and received the keys in January 2006. I walked into my new home, sat down and cried. At the age of 27 and on a young teacher's salary, the only house I could afford in the area I wanted to live was one that needed a lot of work to bring it back to life. And I had no idea how to use a drill, a hammer, or even plaster a hole in a wall! I spent the next five years fixing up my home to the cute, cozy little city haven that it is now. I got help from friends and paid for the services of experts to do the technical work. My blood, sweat and tears have brought this beautiful old home back to life and I have loved every minute of my time here! When you arrive at my house, I hope you'll immediately feel the love I pour into it, and I hope you'll be as happy here as I am. You'll be able to enjoy the photo album I've left to show you the before, during, and after photos of the renovations. A few years ago I moved in with husband. His name is Erik and he is a South African IT Specialist, also living in the UK for over ten years. When I moved into his flat, I wasn't sure what to do with my beloved house. Because we love traveling and renting other people's homes, I decided to try renting mine in the same way. Within days of listing my home, I was inundated with bookings and I've been loving it ever since! If you'd like to know more about me, you can check out a site about pursuing your dreams that I'm very proud to say is mine and in its early stages of life: wodara.org
Why the Owner Chose London, UK:
Greenwich is a very special part of the city. We have easy access to London's chaotic hustle and bustle, but we don't have to live in it.
After a full day, we get to come home to parks and foxes and birds, quiet gardens, 300 miles of walking and biking trails through the parks that fill this special part of London, and quaint Victorian houses in small, friendly neighbourhoods.
I supply a lot of information at the house to be sure that you're aware of all Greenwich has to offer. There is enough just here that you could easily fill a week without ever going into the downtown tourist centre of London.
I love London's touristic centre, but there is always a sense of relief that washes over me at the end of the day when I get to retreat to my quiet little Greenwich haven.
The Unique Benefits at this House:
I keep my prices as low as I can afford and still pay my bills. I truly hope you'll feel that you're getting a lot of value for your money.
My home is my hobby and I love shopping for little decorations and items that will make your stay more comfortable. I love leaving little items for you when you arrive. And I love chatting back and forth with you to help you make your holiday special.
Because my house is not right in the middle of the tourist centre, there are no planes flying overhead and so it's easy to sleep well here because it's so quiet. My garden is private and very quiet. In the spring and summer, it's lovely for relaxing and having a private picnic on the grass.
There is also free parking outside my front door, shops less than a minute's walk away, parks in all directions, and a bus stop just around the corner so it's incredibly easy to get around without a car.
Also, the bathtub and the fireplaces in my home are special and essential for relaxing on a holiday!
London can be rainy and there will be the odd day that you don't want to go anywhere! For this reason, I've stocked my house with books,CDs and DVDs and you should therefore always have some entertainment so the rainy days don't seem so rainy.
Finally, I think that each room in my house has a feel-good energy that will truly help you to rest after your days of exciting exploration.
Contact us
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Photos
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![Explorers' Rest - your charming Victorian home in London's Royal Greenwich]()
Explorers' Rest - your charming Victorian home in London's Royal Greenwich
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![Kitchen / Diner with TV and small sofa]()
Kitchen / Diner with TV and small sofa
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![The Garden Bedroom can sleep four.]()
The Garden Bedroom can sleep four.
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![Walking in the front door]()
Walking in the front door
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![Both beds have LED strip lighting for reading.]()
Both beds have LED strip lighting for reading.
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![Lounge with working fireplace, satellite TV, DVDs, books, and trunk of toys]()
Lounge with working fireplace, satellite TV, DVDs, books, and trunk of toys
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![Kitchen (sink, dishwasher, window to garden)]()
Kitchen (sink, dishwasher, window to garden)
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![Public play area for children at the end of my street, 30 second walk away]()
Public play area for children at the end of my street, 30 second walk away
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![Garden Bedroom lower double bed with LED strip lighting for easy reading]()
Garden Bedroom lower double bed with LED strip lighting for easy reading
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![Garden Bedroom: extra mattress great for young children]()
Garden Bedroom: extra mattress great for young children
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![Put your feet up at the end of the day and indulge in some of your foodie finds]()
Put your feet up at the end of the day and indulge in some of your foodie finds
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![Cozy lounge with 2 leather sofas and working fireplace]()
Cozy lounge with 2 leather sofas and working fireplace
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![Master Bedroom: vanity and working fireplace]()
Master Bedroom: vanity and working fireplace
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![Private, enclosed garden with lots of space for pets and socialising]()
Private, enclosed garden with lots of space for pets and socialising
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![Kitchen / diner with all of the cooking implements you could need]()
Kitchen / diner with all of the cooking implements you could need
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![Bathroom with toilet, sink, tub with shower on the wall behind photographer]()
Bathroom with toilet, sink, tub with shower on the wall behind photographer
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![Kitchen / Diner with microwave and window to garden]()
Kitchen / Diner with microwave and window to garden
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![Make yourself a tea when you arrive]()
Make yourself a tea when you arrive
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![One of three parks at the end of my street, one minute walk away]()
One of three parks at the end of my street, one minute walk away
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![Master Bedroom with canopy]()
Master Bedroom with canopy
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![Garden Bedroom: top double bunk]()
Garden Bedroom: top double bunk
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![Garden Dining Table and BBQ]()
Garden Dining Table and BBQ
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![Buses approaching my local bus stop (three pass here: 291, 51, 53)]()
Buses approaching my local bus stop (three pass here: 291, 51, 53)
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