Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park

Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park

The last Newsletter carried news of the grant given to Leigh Gunpowder Mills and proposed restoration works. Here are details of the newly-restored mills at Oare.

The Oare Gunpowder Works are the remains of a former gunpowder factory known to have been in production from the late seventeenth century until it closed and relocated to Scotland in 1934. It is the best preserved example of its kind in the UK, antedated with Faversham in the sixteenth century and by the late-seventeenth century there were three such factories - Marsh, Home Works (now known as Chart Gunpowder Mills) and Oare (originally known as Davington Mill). Today, only the latter two remain. A well-situated industrial remains, the site contains a wide range of wildlife habitats. By following the well signposted woodland and waterside trails, you'll discover the narrow-gauge canals once used to power the pumps to transport people and materials around the site, a mill pond, an 80-year-old powder mill partially fitted out and the stone of the Visitor's Centre is housed in the former cooper's shed where displays explain how gunpowder is made, tested, packed and stored. The site lay neglected for more than 70 years and nature took its course. The nature trees and bushes you see today were once part of the works' anti-blast defences in the event of an explosion, forming an effective blast screen to reduce damaging effects. Similarly, many of the buildings were flimsy constructed to reduce damage in case of accidents. A major conservation project began in 2004 to preserve the remaining structures and to facilitate access to all parts of the site by improving the footpaths.

The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, having been recognized as such by both RCHME and English Heritage. It is one of only three sites of prime national importance in the gunpowder industry, with the remains at the Lower Mill Pond forming part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest. A grant awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, together with other money given, enabled local charity Groundwork Medway Swale to begin restoration work.

Oare Gunpowder Works is open for visitors, no matter where you live locally or are visiting Kent. There are four different routes to explore, each indicated by coloured marker posts and it takes about an hour to stroll leisurely around the site. For location, opening hours and disabled access information, fully accessible by contact Groundwork Medway Swale who manage the site with local volunteers on 01634 85616 or email to oar.groundwork.org.uk. Admission is free.

John Clary

Walkways to explore structures at Oare.