A Bronze Age burial mound. That’s what lies beneath our feet here at Winns Common. Can you imagine the lives lived here centuries ago?
Winns Common a peaceful green space in Plumstead is far more than just a park. It’s a living testament to history. From ancient Britons who settled here to the barrage balloons that protected Woolwich during World War II. This place has witnessed it all.
Think about it. Bronze Age people chose this spot to bury their dead. They left behind a tumulus a reminder of their presence. Later Romans came. They too left their mark. Their relics are scattered beneath the grass we walk on. The tumulus is still here a silent witness to the passage of time.
World War II brought a different kind of activity to Winns Common. Barrage balloons were stationed here. They soared into the sky protecting the Royal Arsenal from enemy aircraft. A vital defense against attack. A stark contrast to the peaceful scene before us.
After the war things changed again. Prefabricated houses sprang up. They provided homes for families displaced by the war. A temporary solution. These prefabs stood here for a short time until the 1950s when open ground and football pitches replaced them. The changing rooms a simple hut with a tin trough and cold taps are gone now.
Near Winns Common you’ll find a memorial to George Webb. Originally a drinking fountain it’s now a silent tribute. It stands as a marker of another era another story in the long history of this place.
Winns Common isn’t just a park. It’s a living history book. Every blade of grass every tree holds a story. Take a moment to appreciate the layers of history. To reflect on the lives that have touched this special place. The tumulus the barrage balloons. The prefabs. They’re all part of Winns Common’s fascinating past. A place where ancient history meets modern life.