Rocket Science and Forces School Trip
Royal Gunpowder Mills
Waltham Abbey Essex EN9 1JY
This school trip to The Royal Gunpowder Mills offers students a hands-on, curriculum-linked experience that combines scientific investigation, forces and motion, and explosive experiments with rich historical insight.Designed primarily for Upper Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 learners, the day can also be adapted for Key Stage 1, making complex concepts accessible and exciting for younger students through age-appropriate activities and demonstrations.
Students will apply scientific concepts in a practical, engaging setting, inspiring curiosity and connecting classroom learning to real-world science.
About the Site
The Royal Gunpowder Mills, set across 170 acres in Waltham Abbey, Essex, has been at the forefront of British scientific and military history for over 300 years.
Originally an industrial production site, it became a top-secret research facility after WWII, specialising in explosives, propellants, and advanced scientific projects.
Chemists, physicists, engineers, and lab technicians worked here, making it an ideal location for students to explore both science and history.
Students gain a unique opportunity to experience science in context, seeing how discoveries in physics, chemistry, and engineering were applied in real-world historical settings.
Current special offers for school groups
Partner up with other schools for a discount!
Visiting as a school with a one-class intake? Partner up with another school to get a reduced rate on our immersive history and science sessions, including:
-Victorian Life (KS1/2)
-The WW2 Home Front (KS2)
-Rocket Science and Forces (KS2)
These sessions typically cost £250 per class of 30 but when you bring 2 classes or more on the same day, we'll reduce the cost by £25 per class!
Only valid through planmyschooltrip enquiries and on trips until Spring half-term!
valid until: July 2026
Teacher Checklist
Bursaries or Funded Places Available
What activities are available during educational visits?
This session is available as:
Full-day session (£250 per class): Includes the interactive Science Show and the Rocket-Making Workshop
Half-day session (£80 per class): Rocket-Making Workshop only
Morning: Science Show and Exhibition Visit (Full-Day Only)
Students are welcomed by Professor Gaunt, a costumed scientist who once worked at the Mills on top-secret explosives research.
In a fun, interactive one-hour science show, students explore forces, Newton's laws of motion, and energy transfer through demonstrations and hands-on activities. There may even be a little safe gunpowder magic!
Afterwards, students visit the Main Exhibition, learning about the site's history as an industrial and scientific hub. They explore the chemistry behind gunpowder, nitroglycerin, cordite, and more, and watch interviews with former scientists describing some of the site's most exciting experiments.
Afternoon: Rocket-Making Workshop and Rocket Vault Visit
In this hands-on workshop, students design, build, and launch their own air-powered rockets, applying what they learned in the morning show.
KS3 students will be guided to:
Make predictions using scientific reasoning
Identify variables and construct fair tests
Record data and measure outcomes (e.g., flight distance)
Upper KS2 students will develop skills in observation, prediction, and reflection.
If time allows, students can also explore the Rocket Vault, featuring British rocket designs from the 20th century to modern applications. Exhibits include models, prototypes, and real rocket remnants, helping students understand scale, speed, and technological development.
Full-day session (£250 per class): Includes the interactive Science Show and the Rocket-Making Workshop
Half-day session (£80 per class): Rocket-Making Workshop only
Morning: Science Show and Exhibition Visit (Full-Day Only)
Students are welcomed by Professor Gaunt, a costumed scientist who once worked at the Mills on top-secret explosives research.
In a fun, interactive one-hour science show, students explore forces, Newton's laws of motion, and energy transfer through demonstrations and hands-on activities. There may even be a little safe gunpowder magic!
Afterwards, students visit the Main Exhibition, learning about the site's history as an industrial and scientific hub. They explore the chemistry behind gunpowder, nitroglycerin, cordite, and more, and watch interviews with former scientists describing some of the site's most exciting experiments.
Afternoon: Rocket-Making Workshop and Rocket Vault Visit
In this hands-on workshop, students design, build, and launch their own air-powered rockets, applying what they learned in the morning show.
KS3 students will be guided to:
Make predictions using scientific reasoning
Identify variables and construct fair tests
Record data and measure outcomes (e.g., flight distance)
Upper KS2 students will develop skills in observation, prediction, and reflection.
If time allows, students can also explore the Rocket Vault, featuring British rocket designs from the 20th century to modern applications. Exhibits include models, prototypes, and real rocket remnants, helping students understand scale, speed, and technological development.
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
Physics School Trip
Forces and magnets Fuels and Energy Energy changes and transfers (KS3/4) Forces (KS3/4) Balanced forces (KS3/4) Forces and motion (KS3/4) Earth and space Forces Forces Forces Describing motion (KS3/4) Aviation and Flight
Students see Newton's laws of motion brought to life in the interactive science show and through the hands on activity of rocket making and launching. Through these they will explore concepts such as forces and motion, gravity and air resistance, energy transfer and conservation, and pressure and thrust.
Chemistry School Trip
Chemical Reactions Scientists and inventors
At the Royal Gunpowder Mills, students are introduced to the chemistry of explosives and propellants such as gunpowder, nitroglycerin, and cordite. This sparks curiosity by demonstrating how chemical reactions can have powerful real-world effects. During the science show, students observe experiments that showcase exothermic reactions-chemical changes that release heat and gas.
Learning is further deepened during a visit to the Rocket Vault, where students explore the real-world applications of chemistry in military history, the development of explosives, and space science, including the role of propellants in rocket launches.
Engineering School Trip
Students learn about engineering through the hands-on process of building their own air-powered rockets, considering how air pressure, shape, and stability affect flight-just like real engineers. By exploring our Rocket Vault display, they also reflect on how the design of both rockets and rocket fuel changes depending on flight conditions and the speed at which the rocket is designed to travel.
What size groups do we cater for?
We welcome groups of all sizes; however, please note that pricing is based on a class size of up to 30 students. For larger school groups, we are happy to arrange visits across multiple consecutive days.
On-site classroom facilities?
Yes We do have the ability to provide a classroom-like environment. You can tell us your group size and any specific requirements in the form below.
Is there first aid on site?
Yes
Access for visitors with disabilities
All our education spaces are wheelchair accessible.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
When booking your trip with us, you’ll have a dedicated discussion with our Learning and Outreach Officer to explore the specific needs of your group. We are committed to making every visit accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable. Our team can adapt activities, pacing, and content to suit a wide range of learning differences, ensuring all students can fully participate and benefit from the experience.
Whether it’s adjusting physical activities, providing additional sensory support, or offering alternative ways to engage with our historical content, we work closely with you to make your trip smooth and rewarding for every learner.
Who are Royal Gunpowder Mills?
Royal Gunpowder Mills is a charitable organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and sharing the rich history and natural heritage of 175 acres of historic buildings, wildlife, and archaeological sites. Situated in Waltham Abbey, Essex, we are home to 21 listed buildings and much of the site is designated as a Scheduled Monument and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Schools and education groups have been visiting our site for over 20 years and those who know about us visit every year. Check out this testimonial from one of our recent trips:
'We visited the Royal Gunpowder Mills in June. Our year 2 classes took part in the Rockets workshop and the Habitats workshop. Both sessions were extremely engaging and well-organised. The resources were excellent and completely suitable for the age group. Both sessions supported and were relevant to Science topics that we had covered (Animals and Habitats and Forces).
The staff were so friendly and helpful in every aspect, from meeting us from the coach and guiding us throughout the day and then escorting us back to the coach at the end. '
We do not currently offer formal bursaries or grants, but we aim to keep our prices as low as possible to make our sessions accessible to all schools. If budget is a concern, we can offer in-school workshops with costumed historical characters for a flat £300 fee, bringing history to life without the need for travel. Please get in touch to discuss options for your school or class.
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