Who Invented Gunpowder?
By James Turver
Ninth-century Chinese alchemists hunting an elixir of immortality found the first explosive instead. How the accident became an industry, reached Europe, and ended up lifting every shell we sell.
Read moreFirework Guides
Expert advice, safety guides, and inspiration for your fireworks displays — from the UK's largest fireworks retailer.
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Chinese New Year 2027 Fireworks Guide: Dates, Curfew & What to Buy
By James Turver
Chinese New Year 2027 is Saturday 6 February. The curfew runs to 1am rather than 11pm, and unlicensed shops can only sell for four days. Real red and gold picks...
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Mischief Night UK Explained
By James Turver
Mischief Night is 4 November across most of the North, but Liverpool's Mizzy Night falls on 30 October. Where the tradition came from, where it survives, and where the pranks...
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When Is Bonfire Night 2026?
By James Turver
Bonfire Night 2026 is Thursday 5 November, so the celebrations split across two weekends: Halloween on Saturday the 31st before it, then Saturday the 7th and Diwali on Sunday the...
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Best Compound Fireworks 2026: The UK Buying Guide
By James Turver
Real 2026 compound fireworks, live and in stock, sorted by budget: what a compound actually is, how to judge shots against duration and NEC, and eight picks from £79.99 to...
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Supermarket Fireworks 2026: Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Asda & Morrisons Compared
By James Turver
Spend £50, £100 or £200 in either place and compare like with like. NEC, not shot count, is the yardstick. What Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Asda and Morrisons actually sold in...
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What Are the Best Kind of Fireworks to Buy: Expert Recommendations
By James Turver
Choosing the right kind of fireworks for your event is crucial. For larger displays, multi-shot cakes and rockets are recommended, while smaller garden fireworks, such as selection boxes and Catherine...
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Fireworks Buying Guide UK: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy
By James Turver
Everything you need to know before buying fireworks in the UK — what to buy, how much to spend, choosing the right category for your garden, and where to buy...
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Best Fireworks for Bonfire Night 2026: Complete Buying Guide
By James Turver
Cakes as your foundation, rockets for the high points, and at least £150 for a proper 15-minute display. How to pick, how to pace it, and how to stretch the...
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Best Firework Brands in the UK: Expert Guide for 2026
By James Turver
Every brand sells good, bad and average fireworks. All 14 brands we stock, split into premium, mid-range and value tiers, with what 27 years of firing them has taught us...
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Types of Fireworks Explained: The Complete UK Guide
By James Turver
A complete guide to every type of firework you can buy in the UK — cakes, rockets, roman candles, fountains, mines, catherine wheels, sparklers, smoke grenades, and more. Learn what...
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Best Fireworks for Garden Displays in the UK
By James Turver
Everything we've learned from 25+ years of helping customers plan garden displays — what to buy, what to avoid, how long your display should last, and our honest staff-tested product...
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