News
New Website Launched!
Welcome to the new Oare Gunpowder Works website. We have been working away for a while now on this new site, check out our calendar of seasonal events, history and wildlife!
June 6, 2022
Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park
Heritage Site and Nature Reserve
Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park is a fantastic place to relax, enjoy wildlife and discover history. You can join in with volunteering, book education sessions or events or simply wander and take in the fascinating surroundings. There is an almost eerie tranquillity as one walks past the series of old gunpowder buildings and Waterways (Leats) to the sound of singing birds and trickling water. This is a place with many stories to tell, latterly one of a ‘return to nature’ and a place of learning.
The Oare Gunpowder Works were described in 1774 by Edward Jacob as follows:
"... Not far from these royal powder mills [i.e. Home Works], upon the Ore stream, there are gun powder works in private hands, which make considerable quantities thereof, for the use of the East India Company, and other merchants. These mills likewise are enlarging & improving every day, more particularly in the act of drying the gunpowder, which is then affected by the means of a constant stream of hot water, conveyed under the copper frame whereon it is placed to dry. This new contrivance is said to answer the purpose exceedingly well..."
Visiting
Plan your visit to the Gunpowder Works
Wildlife
Learn about the Wildlife
History
The History of the Gunpower Works
Friends
The Friends of Oare Gunpowder Works
Events
Learn about upcoming events
Education
Education & Learning
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