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About
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, we are also a designated site of special scientific interest and have an abundance of wildlife.
Visit our 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 our rocket vault. Our knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand throughout the day.
Relax with a picnic and stretch your legs on our 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 our iconic Press House with waterwheel where one of the most dangerous processes on site took place.
Take a ride on our 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. Our café will just be serving tea, coffee and squash but you're welcome to use our tables for your own food.
For your safety, the areas beyond Queen's Mead (our main visitor area) are only accessible on the Tractor Tour or the Gunpowder Railway.
Timings of day:
11 am to 4pm (last admissions 2.45pm, gates close 4pm)
Prices:
Adults £8
Children £4
Buy tickets:
Wednesday August 9th:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/enjoy-the-royal-gunpowder-mills-tickets-676592334887?aff=oddtdtcreator
Book Tickets
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | /Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Adult | £8.00 per ticket |
| Child | £4.00 per ticket |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
Book Tickets Online
Map & Directions
Road Directions
From J25 of M25 go to Waltham Cross and then A121 to Waltham Abbey; or from J26 of M25, take A121, taking care to get into the right-hand lane when approaching the traffic junction at Meridian Way, and continue straight ahead into Beaulieu Drive.
Public Transport Directions
By Underground:
From Loughton station (central line) - Bus 66 towards Debden.
By Bus:
Please note that some bus services run differently or not at all on Sundays. Check local timetables for details.
The site is around a 10 minute walk from Waltham Abbey Town Centre.
Nearest bus stop is Highbridge Street Roundabout which is served by the following local buses:
14, 22, 22C, 66, 66A, 86, 211, 212, 251
By Rail:
Please note that services differ on Sundays. Check with operators for details.
Nearest station is Waltham Cross, connecting London Liverpool Street, Stratford or Tottenham Hale underground (Victoria Line) to/from Cheshunt / Broxbourne / Hertford East.
You can also take the 66, 86 or 251 from Theobalds Grove (London Overground).
We are a 25 minute walk east from Waltham Cross station. You can take a bus from outside the station. Turn right out of the station, go under the road bridge, up the stairs, turn left and you will see the bus stop just ahead.
