Woolwich Waves

Woolwich Waves is a new landmark leisure destination in London, designed to inspire healthier lifestyles and create a strong sense of belonging.

Summary: Community leisure centre in Woolwich
Location: London, UK
Client: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Size: 11,894m²
Completion: 2025

Woolwich waves leisure centre london signage on facade 10x11

Vision

Conceived as part of a health-led masterplan, Woolwich Waves transforms an under-used town centre site into a hub for wellbeing. It combines world-class sports facilities with cultural and community spaces, ensuring an inclusive environment shaped by local voices. The aim was to encourage active living, regenerative growth and shared experiences across diverse communities.

Woolwich waves leisure centre london view from across park g

Woolwich waves leisure centre london visitors looking down into pool hall g

Woolwich waves leisure centre london swimmers in main 25m pool g

Inclusive by design

From the earliest stages, Woolwich Waves was co-created with its community. A programme of workshops and outreach sessions shaped critical design decisions, ensuring the centre reflects local priorities and diverse needs.

Feedback from disability and dementia groups improved wayfinding and lighting strategies, while engagement with the Sikh community informed inclusive changing provision. Collaboration with the Unheard Voice charity, supported by the Stephen Lawrence Foundation, broadened representation, influencing everything from colour palettes to naming. ‘Woolwich Waves’ was selected by public vote, with over 3,500 participants.

Woolwich waves leisure centre london entrance reception area 3x4

This approach translated into practical features that make the centre accessible and welcoming. Users benefit from step-free entry, sensory lighting in the training pool and a careful mix of active and social spaces for all ages. The result is a civic destination that truly belongs to the people of Woolwich, shaped by their voices and designed for their everyday lives.

Woolwich waves leisure centre london swimmers in main pool 3x4

“The new leisure centre is at the forefront of our plan to improve the quality of life and health of our residents. We’ve invested in the health and wellbeing of residents, and this new venue will be used for generations to come.”

Anthony Okereke,
Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich

Woolwich waves leisure centre london badminton players in sports hall g

Future-focused

Sustainability is embedded in the DNA of Woolwich Waves. It achieved BREEAM Outstanding at design stage, setting a new benchmark for municipal leisure facilities.

From its energy strategy to material choices, the design reduces environmental impact without compromising user experience. A fabric-first approach is enhanced with photovoltaic panels, and a connection to a site-wide energy network, lowering carbon emissions significantly. Energy efficiency is matched by social sustainability: the layout promotes natural light, visual connectivity and active travel, creating a welcoming environment that encourages healthy lifestyles.

Woolwich waves leisure centre london axonometric diagram of stacked leisure centre

Positioned alongside the newly refurbished Tramshed Theatre, the centre forms part of a civic cluster dedicated to wellbeing. Transparent façades animate Woolwich New Road, offering glimpses of vibrant pool halls and sporting activity that invite participation. This careful integration of sustainability and design excellence signals a commitment to regeneration that benefits both people and planet.

Woolwich waves leisure centre london families enjoying the waterpark 3x4

200k

visits in first three months

3,100+

memberships sold

40%

increase in memberships over The Waterfront

100+

fitness classes per week

58%

female visitors

59%

members are on a concessionary / discounted rate

Woolwich waves leisure centre london busy cafe and entrance foyer 3x4

“A key strength of the FaulknerBrowns team is its focus on collaborative working, both between the members of the team itself - where their experience of working together delivers tangible benefits to the project - and with others, including the client team that I lead and stakeholders such as Sport England and GLL, who I know are as equally impressed with the team’s performance.”

Chris Read,
Regeneration and Development Manager,
Royal Borough of Greenwich