Royal Gunpowder Mills

The Royal Gunpowder Mills is a 170-acre oasis of natural beauty and heritage with an extraordinary history of explosives and research into rocket fuels. Closed in 1997, the site has a very important place in both the history of Great Britain, its home town of Waltham Abbey and internationally, bearing the imprint of 300 years of manufacturing explosives in its structures and landscape. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Children are at the heart of our fun Science Shows in the Mad Lab and activities such as making and launching a rocket. There is a real rocket exhibition and an interactive exhibition for the history of explosives. We run special events and school education programmes. There is a lot for adults to do too!

A very popular land-train takes you on a guided tour by a long road that wends a way through alder woodland criss-crossed with streams and dry canals and with mysterious historic buildings peeping through the trees. Look out for deer and the picturesque Press House. A magical day out for all.

See our website for more information and ticket prices which include a range of family tickets.