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Gunpowder Park

Green FlagSSSI
Gunpowder Park Nature Reserve
Address
Gunpowder Park, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 3GP
Gunpowder Park safety works
 
It has now been determined that only 9 shafts are in a dangerous condition. This has allowed for large sections of the fencing to be removed and officers are working with Epping Forest District Council and British Aerospace to determine the best solution of safely dealing with the affected areas.
 
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
 
For further information contact the Lee Valley Information Service on 08456 770 660
West Pool
West Pool
June 4th 2004 saw the official opening of Gunpowder Park, by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Through a multi-million pound investment by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA), the land has been reclaimed and regenerated from its former use as a Royal Ordnance munitions testing facility.
 
After 100 years as a closed site, it has been transformed into a dynamic new country park for the benefit of people, wildlife and the arts, with a brand new environmentally friendly park centre. The Park is an ideal place for walkers and cyclists, with a comprehensive network of surfaced paths accessible in all weathers. There is also a permissive bridleway for summer use circling the Energy Fields. See the Gunpowder Park Leaflet.
 
Visitors to the Park will enjoy an innovative range of entertaining and educational projects as advertised.
 
The field station was designed to reflect the site’s industrial heritage but to also be a state of the art, environmentally friendly building.
 
It has:
  • Gabions made from recycled crushed concrete which contain artifacts found on site as well as bat roosting boxes.
  • Flexible workspace / meeting rooms to allow a variety of uses.
  • Green roof which ensures that the building requires very little heating.
  • Rainwater recycling system from the car park to flush all WCs.
The re-development of the site resulted in a Green Flag award in 2007, which has been retained each year since then. In 2008/9, approximately 240,000 visitors used the site.
 
Information
 
Gunpowder Park is ideal for walkers and responsible dog walkers. It is also a safe environment for children to play and have fun, also perfect for picnics.  Click on the links below to access walking routes maps.
Document Download: Walking Route 1.4 miles (Circular) Size: [272 KB] File Type: [.pdf]
Document Download: Walking Route 3.6 miles (Circular) Size: [272 KB] File Type: [.pdf]
Document Download: Walking Route 4 miles (Circular) Size: [272 KB] File Type: [.pdf]
Document Download: Gunpwder Park Two Page Site Management Plan Size: [93 KB] File Type: [.pdf]

Get Directions

start location: Get Directions

Directions

Location information

How to get here:
 
Car
 
Gunpowder Park is located at the top of Greater London just south of historic Waltham Abbey and the M25 (between junctions 25 and 26). The main entrance is on the Sewardstone Road (A112) south of the roundabout junction with the A121. 
 
Pedestrian and Cycle Access
 
There are pedestrian and cycle access points along each side of the Park.
 
Train
 
The nearest rail stations are Enfield Lock or Waltham Cross, both approximately 30 minutes walk to the Field Station.
 
 
 
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