Purfleet Heritage & Military Centre

About the museum

The centre is housed in Magazine No. 5, built between 1763 and 1765 as one of the Royal Gunpowder Magazines at Purfleet. The site tested and stored gunpowder for the Royal Navy and the Army, and the thick walls and natural cooling were designed to protect the powder. Of the five original magazines only this one survives; it is now a Grade 1 listed building and a scheduled ancient monument. The risk of lightning was a constant worry, and Benjamin Franklin was consulted about lightning conductors for the site. The store closed in 1960, many buildings were later demolished for housing, and local protests saved the Proof House, the gatehouse clock tower and this magazine.

The heritage centre grew out of local efforts, with the Hornchurch Aerodrome Association involved in the early planning. The council leased the building, half of it was first used for displays, and the museum opened properly in 1995. It later became a registered charity and is run by volunteers.

The collection began with local history and expanded to British military history. It covers the Royal Navy from the time of Nelson, the Royal Flying Corps and the RAF, the British Army from the colonial wars to the Falklands and Gulf wars, and the wartime airfield at RAF Hornchurch. A separate display tells the story of the Gurkhas, in cooperation with the local Nepalese Gurkha community. Further galleries explore Purfleet itself, including its garrison, local factories and everyday life, with a reconstructed 1940s living room and an Anderson shelter.

Highlights

• Recreated 24-pounder gun position of a Royal Navy ship of the line
• Hornchurch Wing with original artefacts from RAF Hornchurch
• Unexploded German 500 kg bomb from 1941, since made safe
• Spitfire wreckage with a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine
• Anderson shelter that recreates an air raid
• Gurkha display and memorial, plus one of the oldest working overhead cranes in Britain

Permanent exhibitions

• Military displays – Thousands of artefacts on the Royal Navy, the RAF and the British Army from the colonial campaigns to the Falklands and Gulf wars, including a display on the Gurkhas.
• The Hornchurch Wing – The largest collection of original artefacts from RAF Hornchurch, a key fighter station in both world wars.
• Purfleet heritage displays – Local history of Purfleet with its garrison and factories, a reconstructed 1940s living room and kitchen, and an Anderson shelter.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre (registered charity 1080629)

Admission & discounts

All income goes towards the upkeep of the building and the displays.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The centre states that it is fully accessible and is recognised as a Dementia Friendly Venue. Only assistance dogs are allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The centre describes itself as family-friendly. Children can experience an air raid in a real Anderson shelter, and special event days include vehicle displays and a Christmas Santa grotto.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

A tea bar (the Purfleet NAAFI) and a small gift shop are on site. Members receive a discount in the tea bar.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit