Contrary Life

Contrary Life is a website covering quirky events across the UK.

  • Home
  • About
  • Events by region
    • North East
    • North West
    • Yorkshire
    • East Midlands
    • West Midlands
    • East
    • London
    • South East
    • South West
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
    • Wales
Home > Heritage > Go back to the 1940s this May bank holiday at Royal Gunpowder Mills

Go back to the 1940s this May bank holiday at Royal Gunpowder Mills

By Caroline King - April 28, 2014Posted in : Heritage

Hurricane - Royal Gunpowder Mills - Waltham Abbey

Enjoy a flyover on Sunday 4th May by a vintage Hurricane.

When: 3rd – 5th May 2014, open 10am – 5pm with last admission at 3.30pm

Where: Royal Gunpowder Mills, Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 1JY

£: Admission costs £9.50 for adults, £8.50 for concessions, £7.50 for children (3 – 16 years)  and under 3’s go free

What is it?

Visitors to the Royal Gunpowder Mills in Waltham Abbey will be transported back to the 1940s to join the VE celebrations as part of their May bank holiday weekend event.

The historic site, which played a key role in the Second World War, will be transformed with a series of both military and civilian experiences including street parties, air-raid shelters, jive dancing, songs of the period and battle demonstrations.

Visitors can explore the many living history camps and to talk to the re-enactment soldiers and discover what life was like during wartime as part of this weekend of celebration and remembrance.  There will be the opportunity to visit a 1940s general store, toy shop and kitchen, as well as experiencing an air raid warning and taking cover in an air raid shelter.  There will also be battle re-enactments between the allies and the axis soldiers on Sunday and Monday afternoon.

Among the highlights of the event will be the presence of Hurricane and Spitfire flying on Sunday 4th and Monday 5th May respectively.  This is a great chance to see these vintage war birds in flight (flyovers are weather permitting).

More info: www.royalgunpowdermills.com

Related Posts

  • Head to the Wild West of Essex this bank holiday
  • Get filthy in fancy dress at the Maldon Mud Race
  • Sidetracked by sideshows at Llandudno's Victorian Extravaganza
  • An entertaining and inspiring pop up festival in Purfleet

Tagged With: East, Essex events, Family events, May bank holiday events, Royal Gunpowder Mills

Curiosity of the Week

Woodhenge, Stonehenge’s lesser-known neighbour
Woodhenge - ©English Heritage, Historic England Photo Library

You have heard of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, but have you heard of its lesser known neighbour, Woodhenge? Find out more in our latest Curiosity of the Week…

Top Story

The World Egg Throwing Championships are no yolk
World Egg Throwing Championship 2016

Are you a tosser? If so, you may want to head to Lincolnshire this weekend as the 15th World Egg Throwing Championships takes place…

What are you looking for today?

  • Alternative Sport
  • Art
  • Cabaret and Circus
  • Cinema
  • Classes, Workshops & Talks
  • Club Night
  • Comedy
  • Dance
  • Exhibitions and Installations
  • Fairs and Markets
  • Festival
  • Food & Drink
  • Heritage and History
  • Interview
  • Literature
  • Museum
  • Music
  • Nature and Outdoors
  • Review
  • Science and Technology
  • Theatre
  • Walks and Tours

Sign up to our Newsletter

Copyright © 2022 · Contrary Life