Our building is open to everyone.
If you’re planning to bring a group of ten or more people to MI5: Official Secrets please contact whatson@nationalarchives.gov.uk before making arrangements.
We encourage reading room visitors to book their visit and order documents in advance, although this is not essential. You do not need to book to visit our exhibition, shop or cafe.
Please note: We are replacing the windows in the older part of our building until November 2025 and the work may be noisy. We apologise for any disruption to your visit. Learn more about work to our building.
Plan your journey here with our address in Kew, maps and information about local public transport links. Accessible route maps for disabled visitors are available.
Our home in Kew welcomes visitors to view our temporary exhibitions, use our document reading rooms, and enjoy our café and shop.
Find out what type of research you can do with our collection and how to get started.
- Handling documents
- Photographing documents in the reading rooms
- What can I take into the reading rooms?
- Do I need a reader’s ticket?
- New to using archives?
- What to expect when researching
- How to order, view and copy documents
- What records we hold
- The National Archives’ SafePod
- Using The National Archives’ reference library
Our café is open between 09:00 and 17:00 on Tuesday and Thursday and between 09:00 and 16:00 on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
The National Archives is fully accessible to disabled visitors. Find out about accessible travel and our on site facilities.
We are free to visit and open to everyone, providing a warm welcome to visitors of all ages, including children and family groups.
Situated in a riverside location in leafy Kew, we are a year-round venue with extensive, landscaped grounds offering both daytime and evening hire.