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 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 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.
Our Members Open Day will be at the Heritage Centre on Sunday 10th August 2025, from 10.30am.
The event is free for all Members of the Heritage Centre and will include a guided tour of the Magazine, an outline of our ongoing development plans and a chance to ask questions. Tea and biscuits provided!
Further details of the day are available here.
If you are not currently a Member, why not? Details of Membership are here, Download a Membership Form form, and come along on the 10th.
We look forward to seeing you!
We were very pleased to welcome a special group of visitors from Aitchison College in Lahore to the Heritage Centre on the 7th July.
They enjoyed a guided tour of the exhibits before heading off to meet the Mayor of Thurrock at the Town Hall with Councillor Qaisar Abbas.
Aitchison College has a long and proud history stretching back to 1886 and the pupils, aged 11 and 12, are on this trip as a reward for hard work over the past year.
CONTACT US
Please complete the form below to ask any questions, or to enquire about group visits.
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