Sites around Lee Valley Regional Park
Royal Gunpowder Mills
Set in 175 acres of natural parkland and boasting 21 buildings of major historic importance, the site mixes fascinating history, exciting science and beautiful surroundings to produce a magical day out for all. Established in the 17th century and acquired by the Crown in 1787, the Royal Gunpowder Mills has a very important place in both the history of Great Britain and its home town of Waltham Abbey.
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Springfield Park
“No more beautiful landscape of meadows, forest, hill and water is to be found so near London, in so small a space…” so wrote Benjamin Clarke, describing the view from the Park in 1894 and it’s still the place to take in the view today!
You can see the massive expanse of the reservoirs which supply London with drinking water and the winding route of the River Lee Navigation. The park is a Regionally Important Geological Site and it has even been suggested that Christopher Wren lived nearby and 18th century maps refer to the park as ‘Wren’s Park’.
The Markfield Beam Engine & Museum
Well worth a visit to admire the machine which played such a vital role in the history of the area. You’ll see the Wood Bros. Victorian Beam Engine in action and the building which houses this incredible machine was built in 1886.
Contact: Markfield Road, South Tottenham, London Borough of Haringey, London N15 4RB. Tel: 020 8800 7061.
The Old Coppermill
There’s been a mill on this site for centuries. They were used to grind corn, roll paper, grind gunpowder and make linseed oil. The present building is grade II listed and dates from the 1800’s when barges carrying copper ingots travelled from Wales, were unloaded with the crane and jib (still there today) rolled into thin sheets and stamped out to produce penny and halfpenny tokens.