Between 1816 and 1988 The Royal Small Arms Factory was at the heart of Britain’s military small arms industry. Famous for creating some of the world’s most iconic weapons of the 19th and 20th centuries, the factory was responsible for many industrial breakthroughs. It is the birthplace of modern mass production in the United Kingdom, quality control, even 24 hour drinking!
Today the site is a vibrant and modern village centre, the RSA Island Centre. This centre, opened in 2001 distributes 100% of its profits to good causes in the local area through its charitable arm, the RSA Trust. This charity maintains the our heritage centre, the RSA Interpretation Centre and works closely with the Royal Small Arms Factory Apprentices’ Association, Royal Armouries, Enfield Museum Service and other Lea Valley heritage attractions in developing the collection and telling the story of the former Royal Small Arms Factory.
This website will give you a brief introduction to the story of the Royal Small Arms Factory and information on visiting our heritage centre in the historic Main Machine Shop at Enfield Lock.
The RSA Island Centre Website Network
The vibrant village centre at the heart of Enfield Island Village, converted from the historic Main Machine Shop of the Royal Small Arms Factory.
RSA Island Village is the not for profit company who own and operate the RSA Island Centre on a day-to-day basis. Visit our corporate site to learn more about how we operate and how the scheme developed.
The RSA Trust is our registered charity, responsible for distributing the profits made by the RSA Island Centre to good causes throughout the London Borough of Enfield and surrounding areas.