Thamesmead Community Archive

Thamesmead Community Archive is dedicated to collecting and sharing archival material relating to the cultural and social history of Thamesmead.

Thamesmead is one of the most famous New Towns designed to address the post-war housing shortage. Plans for the site were ambitious both technically – the area was undeveloped marshland – and socially with a community that had access to all its needs in terms of health, education and jobs. Architects and planners came together to develop plans using innovative forms and integrated lakes and canals to deliver their vision. This iconic Brutalist design is now intrinsically associated with Thamesmead.

While the archive contains material relating to the architecture the collection has a much broader remit. Material includes films, oral history recordings, photographs, newsletters and other documents collected from individuals and corporate bodies. Work is currently ongoing with volunteers to archive and process more donated material.