The widely-held view is that the upheaval of the conquest gave Hamo an opportunity to attach some of his land in Essex to his manor of Woolwich and by extension to his Sheriffdom of Kent.

The area was formerly the site of industries including the cable works of W. T. Henley (later Associated Electrical Industries) and the Western Electric Company (later Standard Telephones and Cables) on the river to the west of the ferry, and a large Harland & Wolff ship building and repair shop at Gallions Point to the south of the King George V Dock entrance lock (not to be confused with their works at the western end of the dock).

Often on the day of launch of a new ship, the company would invite children from the local primary school (Storey Street, now closed) to witness the event.

[6] Unlike many areas of London, North Woolwich had formally-defined boundaries by which it comprised two separate tracts of riverside land.

However as in many areas of London, informal local definitions of districts are more nuanced Most of Pier Road and the Royal Victoria Gardens, as well as King George V DLR station, are, strictly speaking, in a finger of East Ham surrounded by North Woolwich.

However, as is so often the case in London, formal boundaries have not proved the deciding factor in defining local areas, and this part of East Ham has also long been regarded[by whom?]

The nearest Docklands Light Railway station is King George V. The King George V DLR station is North Woolwich's principal public transport asset, offering direct links to the City, Canary Wharf (via Poplar), Stratford and Woolwich.

The disused North Woolwich railway station, which was closed in preparation for future transport developments which will use sections of the line, is situated adjacent to the ferry terminal.