Research and Enquiries Room and Library
Drop in and use our free resources, including computers with access to digitised records, help desks for expert advice, and a reference library.
Opening times
We are open from Tuesday to Sunday. Opening hours for our reading rooms, exhibitions, and other facilities vary. Please check our opening times and closure dates before planning your visit.
Building
- Monday
Closed
- Tuesday
09:00 to 19:00
- Wednesday
09:00 to 17:00
- Thursday
09:00 to 19:00
- Friday
09:00 to 17:00
- Saturday
09:00 to 17:00
- Sunday
11:00 to 16:00
Our building opens before our reading rooms. You are welcome to come in and use our café while you wait.
Revolution 250: America's Independence Story 1763 - 1783
- Monday
Closed
- Tuesday
10:00 to 19:00
- Wednesday
10:00 to 17:00
- Thursday
10:00 to 19:00
- Friday
10:00 to 17:00
- Saturday
10:00 to 17:00
- Sunday
11:00 to 16:00
Document reading rooms
- Monday
Closed
- Tuesday
09:30 to 19:00
- Wednesday
09:30 to 17:00
- Thursday
09:30 to 19:00
- Friday
09:30 to 17:00
- Saturday
09:30 to 17:00
- Sunday
Closed
Our document reading rooms are also closed on the Saturday prior to each bank holiday Monday.
Visitors need to return any documents they are using at least ten minutes before the stated reading room closure time.
On-site document ordering
On-site document ordering is usually available at these times:
- Monday
Closed
- Tuesday
09:30 to 16:00
- Wednesday
09:30 to 15:30
- Thursday
09:30 to 16:00
- Friday
09:30 to 15:30
- Saturday
09:30 to 15:30
- Sunday
Closed
Library, and Research and Enquiries Room
On the first floor of our building you will find our Research and Enquiries Room (including visitor computers) and Library.
- Monday
Closed
- Tuesday
09:30 to 19:00
- Wednesday
09:30 to 17:00
- Thursday
09:30 to 19:00
- Friday
09:30 to 17:00
- Saturday
09:30 to 17:00
- Sunday
Closed
Café and coffee bar
- Monday
Closed
- Tuesday
09:00 to 17:00
- Wednesday
09:00 to 16:00
- Thursday
09:00 to 17:00
- Friday
09:00 to 16:00
- Saturday
09:00 to 16:00
- Sunday
11:00 to 15:00
Shop
- Monday
Closed
- Tuesday
10:00 to 17:00
- Wednesday
10:00 to 17:00
- Thursday
10:00 to 17:00
- Friday
10:00 to 17:00
- Saturday
10:00 to 17:00
- Sunday
11:00 to 16:00
Eat, drink and shop
When visiting us in Kew, why not pop into our café or browse our shop?
Car park
- Monday
Closed
- Tuesday
08:00 to 19:30
- Wednesday
08:00 to 17:30
- Thursday
08:00 to 19:30
- Friday
08:00 to 17:30
- Saturday
08:00 to 17:30
- Sunday
09:00 to 16:00
Getting here
The National Archives is located in Kew, southwest London. Find out how to reach us by car, bike, coach and public transport, including accessible routes.
Bank holidays and other closure dates
We are closed every Monday.
We are closed on all English bank holidays.
| Date | Building and exhibition | Reading rooms |
|---|---|---|
| 22 December | Open (close at 17:00) | Open (close at 17:00) |
| 23 December | Open | Open |
| 24 December | Closed | Closed |
| 25 December | Closed | Closed |
| 26 December | Closed | Closed |
| 27 December | Closed | Closed |
| 28 December | Closed | Closed |
| 29 December | Open (close at 17:00) | Open |
| 30 December | Open | Open |
| 31 December | Open (close at 17:00) | Open (close at 17:00) |
| 1 January 2027 | Closed | Closed |
| 2 January 2027 | Closed | Closed |