Millhead Stream

The stream flows north to south across the Waltham Abbey flood plain and through the site of the former Royal Gunpowder Mills.

The stream is an engineered watercourse which is part of an intricate five mile canal system within the Gunpowder Mills establishment and is fed by water from the River Lea.

[1] Due to its location the stream remained largely unseen for over 300 years until the site was opened to the general public in 2001.

[2] The stream leaves the Cornmill Stream to flow through the Waltham Abbey Site of Special Scientific Interest within the Royal Gunpowder Mills site, before flowing through late 20th century housing developments.

Within the site, where the stream passes through the SSSI access is restricted and can be visited by land train only.