About
The Royal Gunpowder Mills Experience
Saturday 10th June
Price: £18
Session times:
10.30 to 2.00 Tickets available soon - check here
11.30 to 3.00 Click here to book
Gunpowder, and the explosives and propellants that followed it, provided a form of energy that changed the world by encouraging trade, exploration, mining and civil engineering, as well as serving the military purposes of conquest and defence.
Our fascinating 170 acre site contains buildings and structures that were used in the manufacture of guncotton, nitro-glycerine, cordite paste and the high explosive tetryl before becoming a research establishment for non-nuclear explosives and propellants.
Now designated a Scheduled Monument and a Site of Special Scientific interest, the site is also a stunning and unique haven for wildlife.
Discover why a one-legged stool was a crucial health and safety implement, find out how the factory workforce doubled during WW1 as women came to work at the Royal Gunpowder Mills, and learn about the site's final phase as a top-secret Explosives Research and Development Establishment.
You will see the remains of buildings used in the production of explosives including the Grand Nitrator (where nitroglycerine was manufactured), Newton’s Pool used for the testing of underwater explosives including the explosives used in the Dambusters' “bouncing bomb” and our iconic Press House with waterwheel where one of the most dangerous processes on site took place.
Details
Your ticket includes:
Tea, coffee and biscuits included in the price
Welcome talk and the company of expert guides throughout your visit
A Tractor Trailer Guided Tour of the out of bounds areas of our 170 acre site (approx 45 minutes)
Access to our Film (15 mins), Main Exhibition, Armoury, Rocket Vault, Powder Boat and early 1900s fire alarm
A ride on The Gunpowder Railway, a narrow gauge railway running roughly 1 km along the perimeter of the Royal Gunpowder Mills site (approx 30 minutes)
Your ticket includes:
Tea, coffee and biscuits included in the price
Welcome talk and the company of expert guides throughout your visit
45 minutes guided tractor tour of the out of bounds areas of our 170 acre site
See our film (15 mins), main exhibition, armoury, rocket vault, powder boat and early 1900s fire alarm
Visit our Gunpowder Railway, meet our skilled and knowledgeable railway volunteers and take a return trip (approx 30 minutes)
Please note that our cafe will not be open but nearby Waltham Abbey has various food outlets before or after your visit.
There will be no science shows or children's activities at this event. Please see our Children's Willow Weaving and Easter Egg Hunt and keep an eye on our website for future children's activities
Assistance dogs are welcome and water is available. Sorry, no other dogs allowed
For more information on the Royal Gunpowder mills: https://www.royalgunpowdermills.com/
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).
