Peter Jackson

Millhead Stream, Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey (c.1735)
Watercolour
Peter Jackson
Copyright Peter Jackson / Royal Gunpowder Mills 2001

Gunpowder Mill, Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey (c.1735)
Watercolour
Peter Jackson
Copyright Peter Jackson / Royal Gunpowder Mills 2001

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Financial Support

Does your school need financial support for a school trip?
Victorian Life (KS1/2)

Full-day: Learn what life was like in Victorian Britain and explore how changes to work, technology, leisure and transport shaped the world we live in today.
The Home Front (KS1/2)

Full-day: From air raid shelters to rationing, explore how life at home changed during the Second World War.
Rocket Science (KS2/3)

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

A. Simcox

A. Simcox
Robert Tinniswood

Robert Tinniswood
Richard Penfold

Richard Penfold
B A Monroe

B A Monroe
Richard H Evans

Richard H Evans
Terence Dalley

Terence Dalley
Eric Bottomley

Eric Bottomley
Freda Titford
Paintings of the Mills

Step back in time to explore an explosive past through the vision of the artists who have painted the sights and scenes at the Royal Gunpowder Mills.

Sundays at the Mills

Tickets now on sale for May & June 2024!
How to Get Here

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

Explore our site from the comfort of home.
Tractor Trailer Guided Tours

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

The weather might be colder, but we're still welcoming schools in throughout the Spring Term! Find out more about the topics on offer..
300 Years of History

Gunpowder is a mixture of the natural products saltpetre, sulphur and charcoal. Its beginnings are obscure...

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

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

RGM Book Series

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

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