About
Fireworks at the Waltham Abbey Gunpowder Mills 2026
Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1JY
Saturday 7th November 2026, 3.30pm till 8pm
Fireworks and so much more at the Royal Gunpowder Mills on Saturday 1 November from 3:30 PM for a mesmerising display of fireworks set against the historic backdrop of the mills. Bring your family and friends for an unforgettable experience that will light up the night sky.
This much-loved annual fundraising event is back for another spectacular year, bringing fireworks, fun, and family-friendly entertainment to the heart of Waltham Abbey.
The events includes:
Children's entertainer
Fire performers
Rawdons Regiment Musketeer weapon demonstrations
Children's Ultra-violet Glow disco
Historical characters including Guy Fawkes himself!
Awe-inspiring fireworks display by a leading UK company (planned for 7.40pm)
Glow item stall, UV face paint, funfair rides and food and drink vendors at an additional cost.
Remember remember...to add your car parking ticket to your order. Parking on site is limited and only possible with a prepaid ticket.
Please walk or use public transport. There is some parking in Waltham Abbey and limited paid parking spaces available at our site.
LAST ENTRY: 6.45pm
Please note that sparklers, dogs, alcohol, food and drinks cannot be brought into the event. Bag searches will be in operation.
Please note: Child tickets are for visitors under 18 years old. All children and young people under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult during this event.
Early Bird Tickets are now on sale but numbers are limited - grab yours before they sell out! There will be no ticket sales on the gate so please only attend if you have pre-booked.
Ticket Prices
Adult Early Bird £10.50 + booking fee
Child Early Bird £8.50 + booking fee
Under 5's £1.62 + booking fee
Also avaliable - disabled, Universal Credit and car parking tickets
Capacity is set so when they're gone they're gone!
BOOK HERE
Please note: Child tickets are for visitors under 18 years old. All children and young people under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult during this event.
Donations welcome to support future events. Royal Gunpowder Mills is a Registered Charity 1210355 and all profits help them maintain this important historic and natural environment for public enjoyment. The event would not be possible without the expertise of their volunteers in organising and stewarding.
Please note that sparklers, dogs, alcohol and food cannot be brought into the event.
This will be a very popular event and the Gunpowder Mills are encouraging people to walk or use public transport to the site. There is some parking in Waltham Abbey and limited paid parking spaces available at the Gunpowder Mills (must be pre-booked). Disabled spaces for parking are now sold out.
Book Tickets Online
Facilities
Accessibility
- Accessible Lift - All the publically accessible buildings on the site are ground floor accept the main exhibition building where there is an accessible lift.
- All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors - All the publically accessible buildings on the site are ground floor accept the main exhibition building where there is an accessible lift. As this is a heritage site, there is some uneven ground but most areas and buildings are wheel chair accessible as is the Land Train which conducts guided tours of the whole site.
- Disabled Parking
- Disabled persons toilet
- Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
- Ramp / Level Access
- Wheelchair user accessible - All the publically accessible buildings on the site are ground floor accept the main exhibition building where there is an accessible lift. As this is a heritage site, there is some uneven ground but most areas and buildings are wheel chair accessible as is the Land Train which conducts guided tours of the whole site.
Attraction Facilities
- Groups Accepted
Catering
- Cafe
- Catering for groups
- Catering Provided
- On-Site cafe/restaurant
- Outdoor eating area
- Picnic area
- Picnic Site
Children & Infants
- Family Friendly, Children Welcome
- Outdoor children’s play area
Establishment Features
- All weather attraction - Although we hold special events which take place outdoors, our main exhibitions are under cover and the site can be visited via our covered land train or military truck experience.
- Guided tours
- Guided tours by arrangement - Visitors who have a specific interest in a particular aspect of the history or processes or items exhibited at the Royal Gunpowder Mills, can arrange to have a volunteer guide with relevant knowledge available when they visit. This is by arrangement and dependant on the relevant expertise being available.
- Marquee Space Available
- Open on bank holidays
- Special Opening for Groups by Arrangement
- Team / Corporate Activities
Parking & Transport
- Bus stop within walking distance
- Coach parking
- Free parking
- On Site Car Parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
- Secure cycle parking - The car park includes an open, but covered cycle parking area.
Provider Preferences
- Countryside Setting
- Forest Location - The large site includes unique Alder plantation and associated wildlife. The whole site can be visited by the Land Train or Military Truck Experience.
- In town/city centre - The site is on the outskirts of Waltham abbey, itself a historic market town.
- Indoor Attraction - The main exhibition, armoury and rocket collection, plus Professor Nitrates Mad Lab are all indoors.
- Outdoor Attraction - The Royal Gunpowder Mills is a very large unspoilt site with areas designated of special scientific interest (SSIs). The dangerous nature of gunpowder manufacture, and the later chemical explosives, made it sensible to space buildings apart. So the industrial processes can be explored within a natural environment. Trees were allowed to flourish between the buildings as they provided an additional safety barrier should an explosion occur in a building, and canals link all parts of the site.
Specialist Features
- Cyclists welcome
- Educational Groups - The Royal Gunpowder Mills has a dedicated education team and regularly delivers a range of programmes for local schools.
- Family Fun
- Marketed Towards Children - Children love Professor Nitrates Mad Lab shows.
- Marketed Towards Families
- Marketed Towards Senior Citizens
- Marketed towards student/youth
- Marketed Towards Students / Youth
Tours and Demonstrations
- Demonstrations Given
- Educational Visits Accepted - The Royal Gunpowder Mills has a dedicated education team and regularly delivers a range of programmes for local schools.
- Guided Tours Available for Groups
- Guided Tours Available for Individuals - The Royal Gunpowder Mills is lucky to have an army of knowledgeable volunteers who can answer technical (and not so technical) questions and bring the past and processes alive. Some of the volunteers are past employees. The land train tours of the site include guides who explain the history of the site, its buildings and the processes which went on there.
Map & Directions
Road Directions
The Royal Gunpowder Mills is located in Beaulieu Drive, off Highbridge Street (at traffic lights and opposite McDonalds), a ten minute walk from the centre of Waltham Abbey. The entrance is at top north end of Beaulieu Drive.
From J26 of M25, take A121 to Waltham Abbey; or from J25 of M25 go to Waltham Cross and then A121.
Public Transport Directions
By Bus
The site is just a 10 minute walk from Waltham Abbey Town Centre and a 25 minute walk east from Waltham Cros s- you can take a bus from outside the station. Turn right out of the station, go under the road bridge, up the stairs, turn left and you will see the bus stop just ahead.
By Underground: Loughton station (central line) - Bus 66 towards Debden.
By Bus: Nearest bus stop is Highbridge Street Roundabout which is served by the following local buses: 14, 22, 22C, 66, 66A, 86, 211, 212, 251 or discover buses.
By Rail
Nearest station is Waltham Cross, connecting London Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale underground (Victoria Line) to/from Cheshunt/Broxbourne/Hertford East.
