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Southern Alfa Romeo Club at the Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey.

About

Southern Alfa Romeo Day

Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey

Sunday 24th September 10am – 5pm (last entry 3pm)

Car Enthusiasts and families are in for a treat on September 24th as Southern Alfa Romeo Day comes to the Royal Gunpowder Mills at Waltham Abbey!  Up to 200 Alfa Romeo cars will line the historic and picturesque Queens Mead for visitors to view, from classic cars up to the latest models being shown off at the stand of County Motor Works of Chelmsford.  

Alfa Romeo has been a powerful force in motor racing and sports cars since the earliest days of motorin. The rare 1930’s model P3 (sports body) will be one of the stars at the show.  The Alfa Romeo Owners Club will be at hand to answer your questions about these beautiful vehicles. Knowledgeable enthusiasts will give an illustrated talk on the History of Alfa Romeo in our Theatre (check website closer to the event for full timings).

Included in the price of your ticket is family fun -  Professor Nitrate’s Mad Lab with entertaining science shows plus great family activities including Rocket Making and Launching, the Test Range (for ages 10 & Above) and T Shirt Printing (£1.50 for the T shirt you’ll print and take home).   

For explorers of all ages there are exhibitions, an introductory film and our acclaimed Armoury within your ticket.  A Land Train tour around our 170 acres of secret science and hidden heritage can be enjoyed at a nominal charge (£2 per adult, £1 per child). Watch out for wildlife across the site.

Southern Alfa Romeo Day takes place on September 24th.  Doors are open from 10am and Last Entry is 3pm.  Tickets £8.50 for Children, £9 for concessions and £10.50 for adults. For more information stay tuned to our website or follow us on social media at @gunpowdermills on all major platforms.

See more below about all the other things you can do during your visit at this all-weather, all-day venue. Already acknowledged for being ‘family friendly’ by the Telegraph and a participant in the Children’s University initiative, the Royal Gunpowder Mills was awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence in 2016.

Must See Attractions:

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.

Land Train Tour and Military Truck Tour. The ideal way to explore across the 170 acre site and the only way to access those parts of the site with restricted access. With expert commentary, these tours take you through areas containing unique wildlife as well as the remains of the buildings which housed the site’s manufacturing processes.  You will see the Nitrator (where nitroglycerine was manufactured), Newton's Pool which is 12 meters deep and used for the testing of underwater explosives including the explosive used in the "bouncing bomb" and the Press House where the gunpowder was pressed to improve its explosive properties. This was one of the most dangerous processes on the site. You will also see the remains of the extensive canal and railway network used to transport the raw materials and final products around the site – which is why it is referred to as an island.

Mini and Narrow Gauge Railways. As well as the network of canal, railways transported materials around the site. In 2000 rolling stock, most of which originally came from Woolwich Arsenal, was relocated to the Royal Gunpowder Mills. Although not original to Waltham Abbey's railway, all are to similar War Department designs, and the carriage bodies are almost all on frames and bogies identical with those used here for the large cordite wagons of 1917.

After visiting the Narrow Gauge railway, why not take a ride on The Bangs Galore & Gunpowder Creek 7 1/4 inch gauge miniature railway.

Test Range. Experience the brand new Test Range where you can try your hand at Crazy Carts and Airsoft Rifles (age 9 and above).

Wildlife Tower. The Wildlife Tower is on the edge of the woodland and offers visitors a great vantage point with panoramic views for the resident wildlife. Things to do include: Bark Rubbings, Quizzes and Colouring are available for children.  See up-to-date information, photos and facts about the wildlife living on the site. There are many interesting collections of natural objects in display cabinets. Listen to recordings of the Dawn Chorus. A mural on the top level of the tower shows what animals, visitors might be able to spot. Interactive Games.

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.

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).

Southern Alfa Romeo Day at the Royal Gunpowder Mills

Type:Show / Display

The Royal Gunpowder Mills, Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY

Tel: 01992 707370

Fax: 01992 707372

Opening Times

Sorry, this event has passed

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