You can travel to The National Archives by car, bus, London Underground and overground trains. See where to find us for general information about getting here.
By car
We charge a fee to park in our visitor car park. We provide free parking for motorbikes and bicycles, and accessible parking bays for disabled visitors.
If you are driving and using a sat nav to find your way here, you should use the postcode TW9 4AD (Bessant Drive). On arriving at The National Archives from Bessant Drive, follow the sign directing you to the accessible parking bays.
Car parking for disabled visitors
We have a visitor car park which has level access. The route is at least 3200mm wide.
There are a number of free accessible parking bays at the rear entrance of the building (which are approximately 60 metres from the entrance door). The parking bays are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please book a space ahead of your visit by calling or emailing us so we can assist as appropriate.
View of accessible parking bays and rear entrance ramp
If the accessible parking bays are full, the main visitors’ car park is approximately 200 metres from the main entrance to the building. Both front and rear entrances are accessible for people who use wheelchairs.
The nearest drop-off point to The National Archives is at the rear of the building adjacent to the designated accessible parking spaces. On arrival, you will pass through a security barrier, where you will need to inform security staff on the intercom whether you are dropping someone off or parking in one of the bays. Please bring your blue badge.
By train (London Underground and overground)
Kew Gardens station (London Underground and overground)
Kew Gardens station is the nearest rail and tube station. It is located approximately 0.5 miles/0.8 kilometres from The National Archives.
Kew Gardens station has ramps from both platforms, but no lifts. There is no step-free interchange between platforms – wheelchair users cannot get from one side to the other. See Kew Gardens’ station access information for more details.
Map of the local area – disabled access routes are highlighted with dotted lines
Our disabled access map shows the route to take to The National Archives from the eastbound platform (see red dotted line) and the westbound platform of Kew Gardens station (see blue dashed line).
You can also get a taxi from Kew Gardens station.
Ask a member of the station staff or go to the station office (eastbound side of Kew Gardens station) for local taxi numbers or for assistance in calling a taxi.
Ask the driver to take you to Bessant Drive (TW9 4AD).
When leaving The National Archives, staff at the welcome desk will be happy to call you a taxi.
Kew Bridge station (National Rail)
Kew Bridge (National Rail) station is approximately 1.4 kilometres from The National Archives. It is not accessible to visitors with wheelchairs. Please see Kew Bridge station access information for more details.
By bus
There is no direct bus service from The National Archives to either Kew Gardens station or Kew Bridge station.
The R68 bus terminates near The National Archives at Kew Retail Park. If you are a wheelchair user travelling from Richmond, we recommend catching the R68 (from just outside Richmond station) instead of travelling by train or tube to Kew Gardens station.
All London buses are now low-floor buses (wheelchair accessible), and have a retractable ramp and room for one wheelchair user.
Further information (for public transport)
For information on accessible tube travel and local buses, please use the advanced search options on the Transport for London Journey Planner. See the National Rail website for more information on accessible rail travel.