Our improvement plans for Kew

We are in the final stages of making improvements to the building and services we provide at The National Archives. Our revamped reading rooms will be launched soon, offering an overhauled service that better suits the changing needs of our visitors.

These improvements are based on consultation with visitors to The National Archives and the Family Records Centre.

The changes taking place in the public areas on all three floors of The National Archives are as described below. We are also improving the range of services we are able to offer by:

Bringing together The National Archives family history records and expertise at Kew
Providing easier access to non original documents on the first floor (no Reader's Ticket required)
Offering extra support and help for beginners and first time visitors to Kew
Introducing a new programme of talks and surgeries to support family, military and general historians

Plans

Ground floor

As you enter the foyer, you will be welcomed with a new-look reception area with staff on hand to help you get your bearings. The foyer will also house the cyber café, providing computers with access to a range of online resources. Wheelchair users will find the building much easier to access, with touchpad doors installed at the entrances.

Walking through into the main building you will notice an expanded restaurant and locker area, which will accommodate more visitors. The museum is also being redesigned to provide a modern and original take on the work of The National Archives. There will no longer be a security desk at the stairs up to the reading rooms as you will only require a Reader's Ticket to view original documents.

Download a plan of the ground floor (PDF, 641.41kb)

First floor

Moving up to the first floor, a new learning zone will help visitors get started with their research. The library will be opened up, along with the microfilm readers and computer terminals, to create a new general research area. Our experts will be able to provide talks and surgeries for our visitors in brandnew meeting rooms, including a lecture theatre.

Visitors wishing to view original documents will benefit from more tables and computers. A new security barrier will be located at the entrance of the original document reading room.

New toilet facilities will also be installed on the first floor.

Download a plan of the first floor (, 1590.00kb)

Second floor

The main difference on this floor will be the introduction of a new security barrier at the entrance to the map and large document reading room.

Download a plan of the second floor (, 2768.67kb)

Check our website regularly for the latest updates on the Kew refurbishment project