It was formed in the early 19th century and was named after the Anglo-Irish general William Beresford, Master-General of the Ordnance and Governor of the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich.

With its lively street market and lined with shops, pubs and restaurants, Beresford Square has been the heart of Woolwich for over two centuries.

Beresford Square is situated in central Woolwich, between the town's shopping district and the Royal Arsenal, from which it is separated by the busy A206 road.

In 1812–13, some "paltry buildings" around the road junction near the main entrance to the Arsenal were demolished for "encroachment on Crown land".

Land to the east of this road was part of the Burrage Estate, named after its 14th-century owner, Bartholomew de Burghersh.

In 1831 four more cottages were cleared on the southeast side of the square, creating more space between the two pubs on this end, the Ordnance Arms and the Elephant & Castle.

At the eastern end of this street, facing Beresford Square, Holy Trinity Church was built in 1833-34 (demolished in 1962).

This large Anglican church had an imposing facade in Portland stone with a stump tower above a Greek Revival portico.

In 1887 the Local Board of Health bought out the Maryon Wilson family's interest in the market charter.

In the middle of the square stood an iron toll house, a drinking fountain and a brightly ornamental urinal.

Trade unionist and Labour politician Will Crooks spoke several times to large crowds in front of the Arsenal gate.

[6][7][8] In 1913, the Woolwich Arsenal Cinematograph Co. started a cinema in a building between the Salutation pub and Holy Trinity Church.

Twelve years later it was extended to the rear, replacing much of the north side of Salutation Alley, creating a theater with 669 seats.

The later additions are of red brick and feature three large windows on each side and a clock at the top of its south-facing gable.

The gatehouse is flanked by two original pavilions, both adorned with recessed rectangular panels and surmounted by brass mortars.

[11] The row of buildings at what was once called the High Pavement are modern (Newman, Levinson & Partners, 1969–70), except for a modest late-19th-century survivor in the middle (nr.

[12] The east side consists of an imposing block of late-Victorian, Italianate buildings, including the Ordnance Arms public house and three shops, all with frontages on the market square and the New Road (J. Chapman, 1888).

18 became the Elephant & Castle public house in 1848, deriving its name from a famous inn in South London.