This is the Official Website for the Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre.
The Centre is located in a Grade 1 listed former Royal Gunpowder Magazine, considered by Historic England to be the most outstanding example of a typically British type of magazine.
Visit us to explore exhibits, take guided tours and walks and attend special events showcasing local heritage, military history and culture.
Visit Magazine No.5
The historic Grade 1 listed building is history in itself, built between 1763 and 1765 to house the UK's gunpowder reserve.
Group visits
We cater for schools, cubs, scouts, cadets and adult groups with a number of guided options available.
Learn about Purfleet
We tell the rich history of Purfleet-on-Thames from Tudor times to today.
Did you know it was a tourist venue in Victorian times?
Presentations
We can visit your school or adult group to give a range of history presentations and "show and tell" sessions.
Military History
With displays on the Royal Navy, Army and RAF from the 18th century to modern times and the story of the Purfleet Garrison and rifle range.
Events
Visit the Heritage Centre on Event days ranging from the Annual Gurkha Festival to Military Vehicle displays.
What is happening at the Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre
The Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre is looking for more volunteers in all capacities to help us improve and deliver more to the community going forwards. It is an opportunity to give a little back if you have any spare time and a passion for history.
We particularly need people to join our award winning, friendly team to help with our presentations to schools, adult groups and care homes, and to assist at the Heritage Centre on the days we are open, all of which we would love to expand.
If you have a passion for history and may be able to help with this, or in any other capacity, please get in touch or drop in for a chat.
On the 26th March we took a trip to Umika Lodge Care Home to give our "Vintage Toys Show and Tell" to residents. The comments below tell the story!
✨ A Trip Down Memory Lane! ✨
We had a wonderful visit from Purfleet Heritage, who put on a fantastic show of vintage toys ranging all the way from the 1940s onwards! 🧸🎠🚂
It was such an interesting and nostalgic experience, and our residents absolutely loved reminiscing about their childhood memories. Smiles, laughter, and stories filled the room—it truly was a special day! 💕
A huge thank you to Purfleet Heritage for bringing history to life!
The Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre was reopened to the public after Winter refurbishment work on the 2nd March 2025 in an informal ceremony attended by the Mayor of Thurrock, Kairen Raper and local Thurrock MP Jen Craft.
The Mayor paid tribute to joint founder and former Chairman Alan Gosling in a short speech, and toured the Centre to see the work that has been done. There is much more to come over the next year before a full reopening scheduled for March 2026, although we are now able to welcome the public once again.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Alan Gosling.
Alan was the joint founder, former chairman and life president of the Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre. He was instrumental in helping to save the former gunpowder storage building (Magazine No 5) and help turn it into the Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre.
Alan sadly passed away on the 24th of February 2025. His friends at the Heritage Centre are all working to build on his legacy and to see it continue to flourish.
Our thoughts are with his wife Sue and his family at this sad time.
CONTACT US
Please complete the form below to ask any questions, or to enquire about group visits.
Copyright 2024 - 2025 © All Rights Reserved | Registered as a charity in England and Wales 1080629
