The Royal Gunpowder Mills secret Island is a great place for families and individuals to spend days out exploring the fascinating history of gunpowder, explosives and rocket propellants through our interactive Exhibitions, Science Shows and Children's Activities.
Useful features of this app include:
• Events listings
• Attractions listings
• Times, prices, directions and more
• Education Courses
• birthday Parties
This app works on both Phones and Tablets and works best with internet access, as it connects to resources on our main website
The Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey, an Anchor Point of the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH), set in 175 acres of parkland and containing 21 Listed Buildings of major historical importance, mixes history, science, and attractive surroundings. It was one of three Royal Gunpowder Mills in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; the other mills were at Ballincollig and Faversham, but is the only site to have survived virtually intact.
The Royal Gunpowder Mills were in operation for over 300 years; however, from the mid-1850s onwards the site was involved in developing new nitro-based explosives and propellants. The site grew in size, and gunpowder became less important. Shortly after World War II it became solely a Defence Research Establishment - firstly the Explosives Research and Development Establishment (ERDE), then the Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment (PERME) and finally the Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment (RARDE). Its superior production methods and high quality results earned it a reputation on an international level.