Five of the disused factory buildings at the Royal Gunpowder Mills in Waltham Abbey will be restored as part of a new activity centre.
May 2016 will see the opening of the PGL activity centre, following the Royal Gun Powder Mills securing National Lottery Funding.
The funding has been awarded to help repair the buildings which were built between 1861 and 1889 but are now deteriorating, with the money going towards restoring the shell of each building and reinstating utilities. The new activity centre will feature accommodation and classrooms.
PGL centres are suitable for pupils aged seven to 17 and on-siren activities can be linked to the curriculum at most locations.
Andrew Coates, Royal Gunpowder Mills chief executive said, “The attraction will of course remain at the heart of the project and continue to open exhibitions and also be able to offer a full programme of talks, workshops and education facilities to ensure that the story of this historic site can be told to future generations.”
The site was used for the manufacture of explosives between the 16th and 20th century, until it eventually closed in 1991, and has been described as the “most important site for history of explosives in Europe” by Historic England.
Royal Gunpowder Mills will remain open throughout the developments with talks, workshops and education facilities continuing as normal.
For more information visit www.royalgunpowdermills.com/education.
