About
July Walking Tour of the Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey, Essex
Wednesday 10th July starting at 10am.
Tickets are £25
Book here: RGM Walking Tour Tickets, Wed 10 Jul 2024 at 10:00 | Eventbrite
Described by Historic England as the ‘most important site for the history of explosives in Europe’ this remarkable and beautiful landscape chronicles the development of explosives, propellants and finally rocket motors and fuels from the Civil War to the Cold War, including rare surviving WW1 factory buildings, and intriguing structures and earthworks.
The Royal Gunpowder Mills is a Scheduled Monument with over 20 listed buildings. It is also designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its wildlife. Its alder woodland is undergoing conservation, and the site features a unique three level industrial canal system (now mostly dry).
Only the southern part of the site is accessible to the general public, where school activities and events take place and there are exhibitions about the history of the site and its manufacture, an armoury, an exhibition of rocketry, and a café. A number of the site’s many volunteers are people who worked here during its final incarnation as a top-secret research establishment to 1991. The northern part of the site awaits restoration and can normally only be viewed from a popular landtrain tour.
Tour features
A fascinating journey through this unique industrial heritage site. Explore the grounds of the historic Royal Gunpowder Mills as our knowledgeable guides take you on a 2.5 - hour tour filled with great stories and insights.
You'll take in grand structures like the E-Traverse, Quinan Stove, Grand Nitrator and Press houses. All these sit within a peaceful haven for nature, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and home to foxes, deer and birds. So bring your camera and binoculars!
Please be aware that the terrain is uneven in parts and strong footwear and long trousers are recommended. Toilets are available at the start and end of the tour but not en route.
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served on your return and we encourage visitors to bring a packed lunch to enjoy after the walk. Space will be provided indoors and out for you to eat, discuss your experience, and get to know new people.
Places are limited and tickets must be bought in advance. Buy now to avoid any disappointment!
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.
There is free parking
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.
Nearest bus stops in Highbridge Street are served by the following local buses:
21, 212, 213, 240, 250, 251, 255, 505, 517.
By Rail
Nearest station is Waltham Cross, connecting London Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale underground (Victoria Line) to/from Cheshunt/Broxbourne/Hertford East.
We are a 25 minute walk east from the station.
You may also take a bus or a cab (office at station).
