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.
PLEASE NOTE, THE CENTRE IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC FROM 1ST DECEMBER 2025 AND WILL REOPEN ON THE 1ST MARCH 2026.
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 and Walks
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 wide 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
We are about halfway in to the Winter refurbishment work and, to be honest, at the moment there is more mess than we would like, but our voluteers continue to do great work to get the Heritage Centre ready for reopening in March.
The refurbishemnt of the Centre toilet is close to being completed following a lot of work which will please those that are familiar with it!
Displays in many areas are being updated and revamped particularly the Army sections and Home Front, and our RAF experts are working on a new display on the Royal Flying Corps. Brand new areas on local Geology and the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway are coming together.
And look out for our latest volunteer pictured here. His bite is worse than his bark!
The Heritage Centre will be closed to the public from Monday 1st December 2025 for the completion of refurbishment works which have been ongoing for the last 18 months.
We will reopen on Sunday 1st March 2026 when hopefully all work will be complete. Details of the reopening will be posted here nearer the time.
We would like to thank everyone for their support in 2025 and look forward to welcoming you back to see what we have been up to in 2026.
Details of the closure are here.
We are pleased to announce our new partnership with the RSPB Rainham Marshes Reserve.
We will be running a number of joint events in the coming months. The first is a guided walk around the Reserve highlighting the military buildings from the Royal Magazine and Purfleet Shooting Range that remain, This will take place on Sunday 23rd November 2025, starting at 10.30am.
Details on prices and how to join the walk are on the flyer which can be downloaded here, or visit the RSPB Rainham events page.
The Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre will be holding it's Annual General Meeting at the Centre at 11am on Sunday 16th November 2025. This is a change from the previously published date.
The meeting is open to all existing members and volunteers and will include election of the managing committee for the Centre and a discussion of upcoming plans for the Winter refurbishment work from December 2025 to February 2026 ahead of a full reopening in March 2026.
CONTACT US
Please complete the form below to ask any questions, or to enquire about group visits.
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