The Arsenal, from which the station takes its name, was an important military facility for developing and testing weapons and signalling equipment. It now includes the Firepower museum where many historic armaments are displayed and explained - see also Royal Ordnance.
The station was rebuilt in 1996 to a modern design in steel and glass. It has a circular theme, quite different to what existed before. The station faces General Gordon Square, which is also overlooked by the original Woolwich Building Society headquarters. That company has relocated to Bexleyheath.
The previous building opened in 1906 was a London brick-built structure, very typical of southeast London. This had superseded an original 1849 building.
The station itself consists of two platforms, one for London Bridge bound trains has a refreshment facility. The other serves trains going east towards north Kent via Plumstead, Abbey Wood and Slade Green.
Typical journey times to London are in the region of 30 minutes.