Car parking charges to return from September 2021

Thursday 26 August 2021

In this release

We will re-introduce charges for our visitor car park from Tuesday 7 September 2021.

We originally introduced parking charges in 2019. When we reopened after the first COVID lockdown in July 2020, we suspended charging as government guidance advised against using public transport during the pandemic. As this guidance has now eased, we have decided to reinstate these charges.

The controlled car parking is administered through an ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) system, with visitors paying before departure at a pay point located inside The National Archives’ building. Charges apply to all visitor parking except for ‘Blue Badge’ holders, who will continue to be able to park without charge in designated parking bays. (The ‘Blue Badge’ scheme helps you park closer to your destination if you’re disabled: find out more).

Car parking costs

  • Up to two hours: £2.50
  • Up to four hours: £4.50
  • Over four hours: £7.00

How to use our parking system

  1. Enter the car park by approaching the barrier, which will open automatically. Make a note of your registration plate number before leaving your vehicle.
  2. After your visit to The National Archives, go to one of our two pay point machines (located in The National Archives’ foyer), and enter your vehicle registration.
  3. The pay machine will calculate your car parking charge based on registration recognition. Payments can be made by either cash or chip and pin/contactless payment (with a credit or debit card).
  4. Return to your vehicle and leave the car park via the exit barrier within 20 minutes of payment.

Visitors must pay for parking before leaving the premises and will not be able to exit the car park if they have not done so.

ULEZ expansion from October 2021

Visitors planning to travel to The National Archives by car this autumn should note that the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is expanding from central London to create a single, larger zone from 25 October 2021. Most vehicles, including cars and vans, need to meet the ULEZ emissions standards or their drivers must pay a daily charge to drive within the zone. The National Archives is located within the expansion area.