Large groups are welcome at The National Archives. Pre-booking is required for groups of 10 or more.
We have one coach bay on site that can be booked each day that we are open to visitors (Tuesday to Saturday). Advance booking is essential and free of charge.
To check availability and book the bay, select the month of your visit and then the date. If available, you will be able to proceed with your booking. Book a coach bay [external link].
Further information (including directions and what to do when you arrive) will be provided in the confirmation email that you receive after completing your booking.
Please do not make any travel arrangements until we have confirmed your booking.
If you are planning a group visit and do not require use of a coach bay, please contact us with the following information:
- your name
- date of visit
- your email address or a contact phone number
- the expected number of people in your group
- the expected number of people who will require readers’ tickets
Readers’ tickets
Visitors only need a reader’s ticket if they want to consult original documents. Many of our most popular records, particularly those of interest to family historians, are available online using the computers in our reading rooms, which can be accessed without the need for a reader’s ticket.
If members of your party are likely to need readers’ tickets, please ask them to register in advance and bring proof of their identity and address with them on the day.
Specialist interests
Academic researchers
Bringing a group of university students to The National Archives is a great way to introduce them to using archival collections and original source material as part of their research.
Visits can be arranged for a wide range of disciplines from history, politics, and archaeology to literature, art and media.
We offer three basic packages for visits:
Option 1
A 45-minute tailored introduction to The National Archives’ collections delivered by a specialist in your field. It includes an introduction to archives and archival research and advice on how to use catalogues and finding aids to access relevant documents. It does not include any work with original documents. This costs £130 for up to 15 students or £260 for up to 30 students, including admin and billing time.
Option 2
A 2-hour records-based session with a specialist in your field. This includes all the information in the 45-minute tailored introduction plus a document workshop either focusing on records related to the course students are studying or a general ‘dissertation inspiration’ taster selection of our collection. This costs £345 for up to 15 students or £500 for up to 30 students, including admin and billing time.
Option 3
A half-day archival skills workshop. This is an in-depth workshop focussing on records on a particular topic or from a particular series, including how to use relevant finding aids and work on the format and formulae of the records, using original documents. This costs £540 for up to 15 students or £860 for up to 30 students, including admin and billing time.
Please note we require six weeks’ notice to organise a visit, for more information, please email: academicvisits@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
School and undergraduate visits
For more information about workshops, videoconferences and undergraduate visits, go to our Education website.