What's On

In 2023 we will be opening on the second Saturday of each month. We will also be open on select days for special events including re-enactment events and children's activity workshops. This replaces our 2022 opening programme.

Please note we are only open on specified days, not for general opening. Tickets must be booked in advance. Please keep an eye on our website or sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know about upcoming events.

Upcoming:

Enjoy the Royal Gunpowder Mills

Don't miss the chance to explore a unique industrial heritage site hidden in Waltham Abbey. With over 300 years of history, we have so many exciting stories to tell!

Suitable for every age with activities for all the family!

Tickets are £8 per adult and £4 per child.

Date: Saturday 14th Oct 2023

Time: 11:00 - 16:00

Location: Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1JY

Please note: Last admission to the site is at 2:45pm. Please buy tickets before attending this event as no tickets will be sold at the gate. We encourage our visitors to bring their own picnics. Our café will just be serving tea, coffee and squash.

Buy your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/enjoy-the-royal-gunpowder-mills-tickets-717044829387?aff=oddtdtcreator

What is there to explore?

- Take the kids for a fun ride on our miniature railway

- Enjoy a scenic ride on our industrial Gunpowder Railway and make sure to look out for our herds of wild deer sheltering in the forest

- Blast off at our rocket-making workshop

- Take a tractor ride into our out-of-bounds areas for a tour of the larger site

- Have a look in our Rocket Vault and make sure not to miss the talks from our rocket experts

- Visit our film for a cinematic retelling of the story of Gunpowder and our site

- Check out our main exhibition full of interactive elements and games that bring our history to life

- Don't miss out on our armoury and learn about the military significance of our collection

- Learn the fascinating story of the women who came to work here during the First World War in our Women at War exhibit

JTT Events
presents
A Spooktacular Halloween
at the Royal Gunpowder Mills

Date: Sat 28th & Sun 29th Oct 2023

Time: 11:00 - 17:00

Location: Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1JY

JTT Events presents a family-friendly Halloween extravaganza like no other, featuring four fantastic elements that’ll send chills down your spine!

1. **Captain Fantastic’s “Not So Scary Halloween Magic Show”**: Captain Fantastic is back on the Theatre stage, and they’re bringing a spine-tingling magic show for all ages. Prepare for a hair-raising adventure packed with thrills and spooks.

2. **Ghostly Express**: Hold on tight as we embark on a journey along the eerie tracks of the Royal Gunpowder Mills’ abandoned train line. With spooky stories and Scary sights hidden in the shadows to keep you company, who knows what mysteries we’ll uncover on this haunting ride?

3. **Supersonics Science Lab workshop**: Dive into the world of forgotten experiments and explosive surprises at the Supersonics Science Lab. It’s a sticky, gooey, and electrifying experience that promises loads of fun for everyone.

4. **Halloween Market**: Don’t miss our Halloween Market, where you can support local vendors without breaking the bank. We promise prices that won’t make you scream, but the goodies on offer just might! From creepy crafts to tasty treats, you’ll find everything you need to get into the Halloween spirit.

Admission to the Halloween Market is FREE! For tickets to scary shows and rides please visit:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/jttevents

More to come

Please keep an eye on our website or sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know about our programme and opening for 2023.

Other ways to visit

The site is open for Group Visits throughout the year, to book please contact [email protected]

Our Schools Programme runs throughout the year to book please contact [email protected]

How to Get Here

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

Latest

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Come and shoot your student projects at our unique site.
Supporting Young Creatives

Come and shoot your student projects at our unique site.
Children's Summer Workshops
Air-Powered Rockets (KS1/2/3)

Make and launch your own air-powered rocket, devise a fair tests, gather data and report findings.

What's On This Autumn

Mark your calendars for Saturday 14th October! We're opening our gates to the public for a fun day of exhibitions, talks, rides, and more! For more details on our Autumn programming and to buy tickets, click 'read more'
How to Get Here

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

Explore our site from the comfort of home.
Jobs

General Manager at the Royal Gunpowder Mills
Tractor Trailer Guided Tours

Take a 25 minute guided Tractor Trailer Guided Tour to the 'out of bounds' parts of the Royal Gunpowder Mills.
Professor Nitrate

Experience Professor Nitrate's explosive outdoor science show.
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.
The Armoury

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