About
A Booming Bank Holiday at the Royal Gunpowder Mills
Open May 4th, 5th and 6th 2019 – Doors Open 10am – Site Closes 5pm
A new experience at a very special price comes to the Royal Gunpowder Mills this early May Bank Holiday weekend May 4th to May 6th. Come and sample the life and times from the last 3 centuries, from cannon and musket demonstrations to the street parties of WW2 and science mayhem of today, played out against the backdrop of the Royal Gunpowder Mills with its 300 years of explosive history and scientific discovery.
From the 18th Century we have demonstrations from living history groups firing cannons and muskets. From the 19th Century, we’ve a Victorian Classroom – let’s see if you can survive it! From the 20th Century there’s a street party in full swing re-enacting the end of WW2 with a singalong! Plus we have tours of our Rocket Vault with real Cold War rocket scientists who worked here when it was a Top Secret research establishment. In the present 21st Century, meet Professor Nitrate to enjoy extracts from our shows and hands-on science experiments.
ON ALL THREE DAYS we have Cannon and Musket firing from The Kings Artillery and 3rd Queens Buffs and other displays from LEFARS Radio Group, The Popskis Private Army / 1st Demolitions Squad and the 36th Combat Engineers LHG* Family Activities include slime making, bicarb bombs, t shirt printing and rail rockets.
ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY Our Education Team join the re-enactors and living history groups to bring fun opportunities to endure a Victorian Classroom, learn about life as a WW2 Home Front evacuee, and try out Victorian toys and games.
SATURDAY The Education Team sessions are not present but as Saturdays are quieter it is perfect for the younger ones to enjoy the crafts and hands-on experiments, the Brambly Hedge Exhibition room plus play and picnic areas and nature and wildlife!
This event has something for all – from history and heritage, science and nature – The Royal Gunpowder Mills is a unique venue with a fascinating history.
PRICES – We’ve set prices to tempt you to sample our event at 20% off standard admission with tickets starting at just £6.80 for a child and family tickets from £22. Purchase your tickets on the door or online.
Watch out for updates and details at www.royalgunpowdermills.com or follow us on social media where we are @gunpowdermills on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
* Groups attending our Booming Bank Holiday Weekend are as always subject to change
This event qualifies as a "Special Event" as part of the Royal Gunpowder Mills Season Ticket.
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).
