The manufacture of gunpowder in Faversham started in 1719 and continued until eventual closure of the site in 1936. For much of this time it was the largest site manufacturing gunpowder in the country and a major employer in the town. It is also the site of the worst explosion in the history of the British munitions industry in 1916 when 115 men and boys were killed and they are commemorated in a mass grave in the town cemetery.
The site was designated as Scheduled National Monument in 1999 and the lower reed beds form part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Since 2004, work has continued to preserve what is left of the ancient buildings and to conserve and develop the site as a wild-life habitat.
Our visit will start at the Visitor Centre at 1 pm with a guided tour of the site lasting about an hour and a half. This will be on firm paths, although these could be muddy in the event of rain. The tour will be followed by refreshments and the opportunity to view the exhibits and photographs in the museum. Members are very welcome to arrive earlier and take advantage of the numerous walks and picnic sites.
To register, contact David Hall at dijphall@aol.com by Monday 14 August 2023 indicating number of adults and number of children less than 12 years old in the group as numbers will be limited. Cost is £5 per family group and the proceeds will be donated to the trust running the site. E-payment is preferred: Account name; Kent Local Section: Sort code: 60-04-23; Account no: 90722159; Please add ‘KLS Gunpowder’ as the reference and email Treasurer Greg Burnard at burnardgd@aol.com copying in David Hall to confirm you have made payment)
There is free car parking at the site which is a 2.5 mile walk from Faversham Station or can be reached on the 333 bus from the station. See https://oaregunpowderworks.co.uk for further details or contact David Hall if you would like to explore car share or taxi share options from the train station.
The site is flat and wheelchair users can access both the Visitors Centre and Museum as well as a number of the paths. However, if you have queries about accessibility, please contact David Hall or the site directly at https://oaregunpowderworks.co.uk/contact/ .
The site was designated as Scheduled National Monument in 1999 and the lower reed beds form part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Since 2004, work has continued to preserve what is left of the ancient buildings and to conserve and develop the site as a wild-life habitat.
Our visit will start at the Visitor Centre at 1 pm with a guided tour of the site lasting about an hour and a half. This will be on firm paths, although these could be muddy in the event of rain. The tour will be followed by refreshments and the opportunity to view the exhibits and photographs in the museum. Members are very welcome to arrive earlier and take advantage of the numerous walks and picnic sites.
To register, contact David Hall at dijphall@aol.com by Monday 14 August 2023 indicating number of adults and number of children less than 12 years old in the group as numbers will be limited. Cost is £5 per family group and the proceeds will be donated to the trust running the site. E-payment is preferred: Account name; Kent Local Section: Sort code: 60-04-23; Account no: 90722159; Please add ‘KLS Gunpowder’ as the reference and email Treasurer Greg Burnard at burnardgd@aol.com copying in David Hall to confirm you have made payment)
There is free car parking at the site which is a 2.5 mile walk from Faversham Station or can be reached on the 333 bus from the station. See https://oaregunpowderworks.co.uk for further details or contact David Hall if you would like to explore car share or taxi share options from the train station.
The site is flat and wheelchair users can access both the Visitors Centre and Museum as well as a number of the paths. However, if you have queries about accessibility, please contact David Hall or the site directly at https://oaregunpowderworks.co.uk/contact/ .
