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Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills
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  • Walking Tours
  1. Visit

Walking Tours

RGM Walking Tours have returned for Summer 2025! Book onto tours running Thursday 19th June or Saturday 26 July to:

Explore the restricted areas of the historic Royal Gunpowder Mills as our knowledgeable guides take you on a 2.5 hour tour filled with stories and insights.

Gain exclusive access to numerous listed buildings and scheduled monuments within 170 acres  of woodland, canals and open space.

Discover the secrets of structures such as the Grand Nitrator and Quinan Stove, dating from the Victorian to post war periods. 

Bring your camera and binoculars - our Site of Special Scientific Interest is home to foxes, deer and birds

Join our mailing list to be notified of future tour dates - click on red bar Subscribe to Newsletter at base of this page.

Need to know

Sorry, this trip is off track and therefore not suitable for wheelchairs. Most of the rest of our site is accessible and you may wish to book a Tractor Trailer Tour instead, which is also available on our open days. The narrow gauge railway also has an accessible carriage.

Wear strong footwear and long trousers for your adventure across uneven terrain.

Toilets are available at the start and end of the 2.5 hour tour but not en route.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served on your return and we encourage visitors to bring a packed lunch to enjoy after the walk. Indoor space is available for you to eat, discuss your experience, and get to know new people.

 

Published: 27th June, 2024

Updated: 3rd June, 2025

Author: Isabella Crook

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  • Outreach Talks

    Book an engaging talk on the history of Royal Gunpowder Mills for your group or society

  • Open Day

    Open Day

    Join us for a day full of fun and fascinating history at our stunning industrial heritage site.

  • Open Day

    Open Day

    Join us for a day full of fun and fascinating history at our stunning industrial heritage site.

  • Open Day

    Open Day

    Join us for a day full of fun and fascinating history at our stunning industrial heritage site.

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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: Anonymised User

RGM Historic Book Series

RGM Historic Book 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: 18th May, 2024

Author: Anonymised User

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: 4th June, 2025

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Support the Royal Gunpowder Mills

Support the Royal Gunpowder Mills

Please donate to help continue our Charity’s work. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 17th June, 2020

Updated: 23rd January, 2025

Author:

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The Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills Charitable Foundation Limited is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 1210355).

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Contact us

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

[email protected]
07990513456

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