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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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  • school-experiences
  1. Schools

Schools Programme

Choose from a range of exciting curriculum-linked topics.

Whole day On Site visits run 10:30AM - 2:00PM 

  •  Victorian Life (KS1/2) (In School and Virtual visits also available)

Discover what life was like in Victorian Britain and explore how changes to work, education, leisure and transport shaped the world we live in today.

  • The Home Front (KS1/2) (In School and Virtual visits also available)

From air raid shelters to rationing, explore how life at home changed during the Second World War.

  • Rocket Science (KS2/3) 

Explore Newton's laws of motion through our interactive science show, our Rocket Vault and a hands-on learning activity.

  • Mapping the Mills (KS3/4)

Explore an industrial heritage landscape, investigate 300 years of explosive history, develop geographical skills and create an artistic map of the site.

Half day On Site visits can be booked 10:45AM - 12:00PM or 12:45PM - 2:00PM

You can mix and match two half day sessions to create a whole day visit, or just book a half day visit.

  • Homes and Habitats (KS1/2)

Discover the wonderful wildlife, woodlands and waterways of the Royal Gunpowder Mills site.

  • Gunpowder Railway and Main Exhibition (KS1/2/3)

Take a trip on The Gunpowder Railway and explore our Main Exhibition. 

  • Air-Powered Rockets (KS1/2/3)

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

Access and SEND Groups

We want everyone to enjoy our schools programme. All spaces used in our schools programme are wheelchair accessible.

We are happy to adapt sessions to meet the access needs of your group. Please get in touch with our Learning and Outreach Team to discuss: 

  • 01992 707 320
  • [email protected]

We have two wheelchair accessible toilets on site. 

      Subscribe to our Schools Programme Mailing List!

      Testimonials

      "Another amazing visit. The children loved it and are still talking about it now. The activities really brought our topic to life." KS2 Teacher

      "The people who worked with us on the day were very friendly and engaged well with the children." KS2 Teacher

      "Our class enjoyed every minute of the trip. Meeting Henry Gaunt and asking and answering his questions was great." KS1 Teacher

      "A fantastic mix of activities for a whole day of fun. Just perfect!" KS1 Teacher

      "They loved using the fire alarm and being hands on with the artefacts. They also loved the museum!" KS2 Teacher

      Does your school need financial support or education resources for your school trip?

      We are delighted to announce that we are part of The Great British School Trip powered by Hyundai!

      Does your school need financial support or education resources for a school trip?

      We are delighted to announce that we are part of The Great British School Trip powered by Hyundai.

      The Great British School Trip is offering bursary support to help fund travel and entry to incredible venues across the UK - including The Royal Gunpowder Mills.

      For more details on how to apply see - www.greatbritishschooltrip.com/event/royal-gunpowder-mills

      Gunpowder Railway and Main Exhibition (KS1/2/3)

      Gunpowder Railway and Main Exhibition (KS1/2/3)

      Take a trip on The Gunpowder Railway and explore our main exhibition. Read more

      Published: 29th March, 2023

      Updated: 10th May, 2023

      Author: Helen Hamlyn

      Homes and Habitats (KS1/2)

      Homes and Habitats (KS1/2)

      Discover the wonderful wildlife, woodlands and waterways of the Royal Gunpowder Mills site. Read more

      Published: 1st March, 2023

      Updated: 10th May, 2023

      Author: Helen Hamlyn

      Mapping the Mills (KS3/4)

      Mapping the Mills (KS3/4)

      Explore an industrial heritage landscape, investigate 300 years of explosive history, develop geographical skills and create an artistic map of the site. Read more

      Published: 29th July, 2022

      Updated: 14th April, 2023

      Author: Helen Hamlyn

      Rocket Science (KS2/3)

      Rocket Science (KS2/3)

      Experience an interactive science show, explore our Rocket Vault and discover how to make your own air-powder rockets. Read more

      Published: 26th March, 2021

      Updated: 14th April, 2023

      Author: Ian MacFarlane

      The Home Front (KS1/2)

      The Home Front (KS1/2)

      From air raid shelters to rationing, explore how life at home changed during the Second World War. Read more

      Published: 17th January, 2020

      Updated: 15th May, 2023

      Author: Stella Morris

      Victorian Life (KS1/2)

      Victorian Life (KS1/2)

      Discover what life was like in Victorian Britain and explore how changes to work, education, leisure and transport shaped the world we live in today. Read more

      Published: 16th January, 2020

      Updated: 14th April, 2023

      Author: Ian MacFarlane

      Back to top

      Showing 10 of 6

      Latest

      • Air-Powered Rockets (KS1/2/3)

        Air-Powered Rockets (KS1/2/3)

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

      • Gunpowder Railway and Main Exhibition (KS1/2/3)

        Gunpowder Railway and Main Exhibition (KS1/2/3)

        Take a trip on The Gunpowder Railway and explore our main exhibition.

      • Homes and Habitats (KS1/2)

        Homes and Habitats (KS1/2)

        Discover the wonderful wildlife, woodlands and waterways of the Royal Gunpowder Mills site.

      • Jobs

        Jobs

        There are currently no vacancies being advertised.

      Most read

      • Full 2023 Programme Coming Soon!

        Full 2023 Programme Coming Soon!

        Please see our What's On page for more information to find out more and buy your tickets...

      • How to Get Here

        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

        Virtual Tours

        Explore our site from the comfort of home.

      • Jobs

        Jobs

        There are currently no vacancies being advertised.

      • Professor Nitrate

        Professor Nitrate

        Experience Professor Nitrate's explosive outdoor science show.

      • Tractor Trailer Guided Tours

        Tractor Trailer Guided Tours

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

      • 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

        The Armoury

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

      • Gunpowder Cafe

        Gunpowder Cafe

        Tasty treats are being served at our Gunpowder Cafe!

      Tag cloud

      Aqueduct Blast Bridges Canals Filming Heritage Hire Industrial Mills Newton's Pool Press House Queen Meads Quinan Stove Tetryl Waterways Woodland
      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: 22nd July, 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: 27th March, 2023

      Author: Ian MacFarlane

      Help Royal Gunpowder Mills!

      Help Royal Gunpowder Mills!

      The Royal Gunpowder Mills has now reopened following a two year closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. Please donate to help continue our Charity’s work. Read more

      Donate Fundraise

      Published: 17th June, 2020

      Updated: 15th May, 2023

      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

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