About
Summer Open Days the Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey, Essex
Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY
Wednesday 9th August - book here
Saturday 12th August - book here
Wednesday 16th August - book here
11 am to 4pm (last admissions 2.45pm, gates close 4pm)
Prices: Adults £8, Children £4
More open days information here
The Royal Gunpowder Mills is a 170 acre heritage site in Waltham Abbey set in a stunning natural landscape shaped by 300 years of making explosives and propellants. A scheduled ancient monument site with many listed buildings, it is also a designated site of special scientific interest and have an abundance of wildlife.
Visit the exhibitions and 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, including a trip to the rocket vault. Knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand throughout the day.
Relax with a picnic and stretch your legs on the central grassy mead area.
If you’d like to visit the wider, out-of-bounds areas of the site, take a guided tractor tour (donations welcome). 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 the iconic Press House with waterwheel where one of the most dangerous processes on site took place.
Take a ride on the mini-railway and our narrow gauge Gunpowder Railway (donations welcome).
Younger visitors can take part in a drop-in learning activity.
Please note whilst this Enjoy the Gunpowder Mills is aimed at all ages there will be no science show at this event.
Feel free to bring a picnic. Whilst the café will just be serving tea, coffee and squash, you’re welcome to use the tables for your own food.
For your safety, the areas beyond Queen’s Mead (the main visitor area) are only accessible on the Tractor Tour or the Gunpowder Railway.
Also in August: Children's Summer Workshops - Find out more here
Book Tickets Online
Facilities
Establishment Features
- Guided tours
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Provider Preferences
- 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.
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).
