Great Harry, Woolwich

*** No new admissions after 11pm policy is now 7 days a week and is strictly enforced.***

Large, corner plot Wetherspoon. A stone's throw from Woolwich Arsenal Bus/Mainline Railway/DLR interchanges by walking across the paved and grassed General Gordon Square. Woolwich first came to prominence in the early 16th century, when King Henry VIII established a dockyard here to build the Great Harry, the flagship of his new navy. This yard, where many famous ships were built, including the Sovereign of the Seas (in 1637), saw many royal visits and departures of voyages of exploration. Seriously damaged by fire in the early August 2011 riots and closed for the rest of the year and into 2012. A race was on to renovate and re-open by time of the 2012 Olympics as Woolwich was a venue for shooting events. The deadline was met and a new look and brighter and more shiny Great Harry arose. Open from 8am for breakfast. 10 handpumps, in 2 banks each of 5, adorn the bar counter which extends across almost all the width of the pub. Often sells a bag-in-box draught cider but not one which meets CAMRA's definition of real cider. Open-to-view kitchen up the side corridor. Toilets are up a spiral staircase.