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See information about coach parties or please contact the public services development team.
Several bus routes pass nearby. The most convenient, the R68 bus route from Hampton Court via Richmond terminates by the below entrance to The National Archives. The R68 route is made up of 'leaning' buses which can lower their entrance - they also have an automatic wheelchair ramp at the rear door.
There are 40 spaces in our bicycle shed. There are ten spaces for motorcycles in our car park.
The Bessant Drive [map] entrance is for vehicles and pedestrians. Bessant Drive is just off the A205 South Circular and minutes from the Kew Bridge and M4 motorway.
The car park, for people using The National Archives, has a limited number of spaces and is free. The car park is open from 08:30 until 30 minutes after the reading rooms close, Monday to Saturday.
See Where to find us for more on getting here including by train and all the local bus routes.
The Ruskin Avenue [map] pedestrian entrance is the most convenient for the train station. The nearest train station is Kew Gardens (Underground - District line and the London Overground network - formerly North London Line) which is a 10-minute walk away. See Where to find us for more on getting here including local rail information. There is no access for vehicles via Ruskin Avenue. A third pedestrian entrance (unlit and uneven) comes from the Thames Path.
If you want to request assistance, contact us, with the time you expect to arrive and any needs you have, so that we are prepared to assist you when you arrive.
If you are coming by car, it's best to park in one of the reserved spaces at the back of the building as they are closer. There are ramps to both the doors and both have an entrance bell if you need any help.
We have wheelchairs you can borrow; please let us know in advance if you would like to use one of them. See our Access guide for more information.
Our welcome desk, located in the reception area, will help you will all your enquiries about your visit and our facilities.
There is also access to public toilets in the reception area.
Our cyber café is right next to the welcome desk - all the computers have high-speed internet access, are available for public use and free. The adjacent restaurant is also a wireless internet zone, which is free of charge to use.
The bookshop stocks a wide range of titles covering family, military and general British history from the latest bestsellers to the full range of titles published by The National Archives. It also stocks a good range of greeting cards, gifts and other items that you may require on your visit, such as pencils and paper.
Our restaurant and coffee bar, situated opposite the museum, are operated by Yes Dining. 'Yes' are a small bespoke catering company, whose philosophy, 'Fresh, home produced food and quality of service' has made them an ideal partner for the archives. The coffee bar provides a range of speciality fairtrade coffees, teas and a selection of sandwiches, paninis, homemade cakes and pastries. The restaurant offers a variety of delicious hot and cold food, alongside 'grab-and-go' sandwiches, salads, drinks and snacks.
The restaurant and coffee bar also has a wireless internet zone, and a large-screen TV shows rolling news with subtitles.
| Monday to Friday | 12.00 - 14.30 |
| Saturday | 09:00 - 10.30 & 12.00 - 14.30 |
| Monday, Wednesday and Friday | 08:30 - 16:45 |
| Tuesday and Thursday | 08:30 - 18:30 |
| Saturday | 09:00 - 16:00 |
There is a free-service cash dispensing machine next to the restaurant and post box.
Public toilet facilities are nearby the restaurant.
The last collection from this post box is 17:15 Monday to Friday. There are no collections on weekends or public holidays.
There are four public pay phones available here.
The National Archives' new interactive museum, showcasing the treasures of the archives including Domesday Book, is now open following major refurbishment. It traces the history of The National Archives and record keeping from Domesday to present, and it will continue to be by free admission.
| Monday and Friday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday and Thursday | 09:00 - 19:00 |
| Wednesday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Saturday | 09:30 - 17:00 |
Free lockers are provided for depositing large bags and restricted items. Secure coat hangers, also free, are situated next to the lockers.
To gain access to the Document Reading Room and Map and Large Document Reading Room swipe your Reader's Ticket through the ticket scanner. You do not need a Reader's Ticket to use the Open Reading Room.
Persons intending to research will be subjected to checks to insure prohibited items are not taken into the reading rooms; this will also include a check of personal items when departing.
See Rules of The National Archives
(91.186kb).
Explore our interactive map
