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Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills
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Keep an eye on our website for details of our new 2021 events!

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  • nature
  1. Explore
  2. Nature

Nature

The legacy of a derelict factory has created another secret world for wildlife in the north part of the site, with its historic waterways and old buildings in the alder woodland, each an ecological niche and collectively forming a unique nature reserve.  There is increasing interest in the Royal Gunpowder Mills as a wildlife habitat.  A large area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The nature reserve attracts a wide range of birds, such as the siskin, which feeds on the alder seed cones. There are barn owls in the old buildings too, and herons are common in the wet areas. Other animals that make their home at the Mills include fallow deer, grass snakes and various species of bat. The waterways are inhabited by large carp and other fish, such as pike, and in summer these areas are alive with dragonflies and damselflies.

Woodlands

Woodlands

The woodland comprises an area of nearly 120 acres, most of which is designated by English Nature as a Site of Special Scientific Importance (SSSI). The new woodland management plan proposes that about a fifth of the woodland will be brought back into a coppice regime. Read more

Published: 4th July, 2019

Updated: 23rd February, 2022

Author: Ian MacFarlane

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    The Royal Gunpowder Mills is reliant on the time, skills, knowledge and hard work given by the team of volunteers. The team works to preserve and share the site and its unique history, for the visitors and for the future.

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    We're back! Buy your ticket here...

    We're open! Read on to find out more about our 2022 offer...

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    How to get here

    Find out more about where we're located and how to get here by all types of transport.

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    Experience Professor Nitrate's explosive outdoor science show.

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    Come and work with us! We're recruiting a new maintenance and facilities co-ordinator

  • Our Purpose

    The purpose of the charity is to preserve, manage, research, conserve and display for the benefit of the general public and of the nation at large the historical and archaeological heritage of the Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey in the form of ancient monuments, listed buildings and the natural aspect features and bird, animal, tree and plant life.

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    Gunpowder Cafe

    Tasty treats are being served at our Gunpowder Cafe!

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    Discover how firearms changed over the centuries by visiting our collection of over 300 historic firearms.

  • Tractor Trailer Guided Tours

    Tractor Trailer Guided Tours

    Take a 40 minute guided Tractor Trailer Guided Tour to the 'out of bounds' parts of the Royal Gunpowder Mills.

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Royal Gunpowder Mills Digital Archive

Royal Gunpowder Mills Digital Archive

After the closure of ERDE, the archive material inherited passed through a number of hands and storage locations before opening to the public as an online database. Read more

Published: 4th July, 2018

Updated: 10th March, 2022

Author: Ian MacFarlane

RGM Historic Book Reprint Series

RGM Historic Book Reprint Series

The Historic Reprint Series are Facsimilie reprints of books having historical relevance to the development and manufacture of gunpowder at the Royal Gunpowder Mills. Read more

Published: 19th July, 2019

Updated: 14th January, 2022

Author: Ian MacFarlane

RGM Book Series

RGM Book Series

Books about the history of the Royal Gunpowder Mills written by Archive Volunteers. Read more

Published: 19th July, 2019

Updated: 29th January, 2020

Author: Ian MacFarlane

Help Royal Gunpowder Mills!

Help Royal Gunpowder Mills!

Coronavirus Survival Appeal The Royal Gunpowder Mills is currently closed due to Covid and as a result, we have lost our essential visitor incomes and face a serious funding gap. Please donate to help continue our Charity’s work. We very much look forward to welcoming visitors back on site this summer. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 17th June, 2020

Updated: 21st September, 2021

Author:

Amazon Smile

Amazon Smile

Amazon Smile Read more

Published: 13th October, 2020

Author: Ian MacFarlane

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Royal Gunpowder Mills is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 1062968).

Contact us

Royal Gunpowder Mills,
Beaulieu Drive,
Waltham Abbey,
Essex, EN9 1JY
United Kingdom

[email protected]
01992 707370