We were delighted to welcome a tour today by a group of students from Birkbeck and Goldsmiths Colleges, part of the University of London, who were visiting the Lea Valley with local historian Jim Lewis. The students were from a range of disciplines ranging from art history to design. This tour looked at human use of landscape in the Lea Valley. Prior to their visit to the Royal Small Arms Factory site the group visited the Royal Gunpowder Mills at Waltham Abbey and walked along the Lee Navigation down to Enfield Lock.
The group learnt about the world beating Apprenticeships offered by the Factory and about how the site came to fruition. Jim demonstrated the refinement of firearms design through the 19th and 20th Centuries. As an additional treat the Heritage Manager allowed the group to view our John Thwaites birdcage clock, with two of the students being lucky enough to see the strike mechanism for the bell in action!
If you would like to arrange a tour of the Factory site and our small museum, the RSA Interpretation Centre, for your group please get in touch with us to arrange a visit. We are also available Monday – Friday between 10am and 2pm if you want to pop in for a visit. Also, why not visit other Lea Valley Heritage Alliance attractions, download Discover here!