The Royal Gunpowder Mills

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Open this Sunday - The Royal Gunpowder Mills

And all Sundays until the end of October 2022 except 29th August.. 

Pay at the gate or book tickets in advance (recommended) here: Royal Gunpowder Mills - explore our explosive visitor attraction! Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Travel back through time and discover 300 years of explosive and top secret history at the Royal Gunpowder Mills!

Start your visit with the introductory film in the cinema. Find out more by visiting the main exhibition and the Rocket Vault. Discover what it takes to make a rocket fly then make and launch your own air powered rocket! Professor Nitrate will tell you more in his explosive outdoor science show. Visit the Armoury, a must-see comprehensive collection of small arms and militaria.

To explore more of the intriguing 170 acre site, choose between a 25 minute guided Tractor Tour or a 22 minute ride on the new Gunpowder Railway (narrow gauge). Knowledgeable guides will tell you all about the site's history. Remember look out for wildlife on this Site of Special Scientific Interest, including a unique herd of fallow deer.

Relax on the grassy mead and finish your visit with a go on the playground. All of the above is included in your ticket price!

Enjoy drinks and light snacks in the Gunpowder Cafe during your visit to keep you fueled.

Visit the Royal Gunpowder Mills website to find out more: www.royalgunpowdermills.com

Must See Attractions (click on the links for latest updates):

The NEW Gunpowder Railway The Gunpowder Railway is a narrow gauge railway running roughly 1 km along the perimeter of the Royal Gunpowder Mills site. A narrow gauge railway was used to transport materials around the site and a dedicated team of volunteers have constructed a 2 foot 6 inch gauge railway, reflecting this history. 

The Mad Lab is home to Professor Nitrate and a fantastic array of science shows. With various shows throughout the day. There's always something new to learn. The Mad Lab is also home to the Professor's assistants who will be on hand to show you their latest experiments with fun take home experiments on offer.

The Rocket Vault. From tank busters to rocket motors used to launch satellites into space – see some of the secret rockets worked on at Waltham Abbey. The exhibition shows the development of rocket motors and propellants from Congreve's gunpowder rocket of the early 19th century through to the guided missiles from the cold war era and in the Falklands war. Former employees are often on hand to give guided tours and answer any technical questions concerning rockets and propellants.

The Armoury (one of our most popular attractions). The Armoury is a unique and comprehensive collection of small arms and militaria, acquired by The Royal Gunpowder Mills with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund. The exhibition displays over 200 historic firearms covering the period from the English Civil War to present day conflicts. Volunteer staff are on hand to explain the science, technology and history of the various types of weapons on display which include heavy medium and light machine guns, sub machine guns, manual and self-loading rifles, revolvers and pistols, mortars, rocket launchers and grenades. Visitors are encouraged to handle and explore a variety of historic weapons - this "hands on" experience is one of the many highlights of the attraction.

Film and Exhibition. An award winning film, revealing the history of explosives and how they were produced at the Royal Gunpowder Mills, makes an ideal starting point to understanding the historical and scientific importance of the Royal Gunpowder Mills. The interactive exhibition is the best way to understand the history surrounding the site and the science behind gunpowder. The exhibition area contains a labyrinth of artefacts, displays and interactive video games explaining how gunpowder and later chemical propellants were discovered, refined and manufactured. It brings both the site, and the people who worked there, alive and allows visitors to understand the buildings and processes they can explore around the 170 acre site.

Women at War Over 3000 women worked at ‘The Powder Mills’ during the war. This is a fascinating photographic display highlighting the vital and varied role women played. This exhibition celebrates the women who worked in the war industries during the First World War. Although over 3000 women were employed here in Waltham Abbey, they are not reflected in this exhibit, these photographs depict work at other factories such as Woolwich.

The Royal Gunpowder Mills is grateful to the Imperial War Museum for enabling this project to happen.

Woodland Walks. Take the Nature Walk trail and perhaps detect some of the amazing wildlife that live here - don't miss the Wildlife Tower for lots more information. The Nature Walk will highlight many of the areas on the site concerned with gunpowder and cordite manufacture and identify the buildings around the site. Our visitors are constantly amazed at the abundance and variety in our woodlands.