Royal Artillery Barracks

The Royal Artillery Barracks stretches along the north edge of Woolwich Common with a seemingly endless brick façade, one of the longest Georgian building frontages anywhere. Work began in 1774, and the original block, with its clock pediment and turret, was more than doubled in length in 1802–05 by adding a near-copy to the west, marked by a wind-dial instead of a clock. For over 230 years this was the home of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, whose headquarters stayed here until moving to Larkhill in 2007. It's still part of Woolwich Garrison, so the barracks itself is not open to visitors, but the view across the parade ground from the Common is one of Woolwich's great sights. St George's Garrison Church, opposite, makes a natural next stop.