You can view original documents in the reading rooms from 09:00, Tuesday to Saturday.
Collect your pre-registered reader’s ticket or apply on site for one between 09:00 and 16:00, Tuesday to Saturday.
| Day | Reading room opening times | Document ordering times | Phone opening times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | Closed | 09:00 – 17:00 (switchboard service only) |
| Tuesday | 09:00 – 19:00* | 09:30 – 16:00 | 09:00 – 17:00** |
| Wednesday | 09:00 – 17:00 | 09:30 – 16:00 | 09:00 – 17:00** |
| Thursday | 09:00 – 19:00* | 09:30 – 16:00 | 09:00 – 17:00** |
| Friday | 09:00 – 17:00 | 09:30 – 16:00 | 09:00 – 17:00** (switchboard and limited records advice service only) |
| Saturday | 09:00 – 17:00 | 09:30 – 16:00 | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed | Closed |
*Please note that the Research and Enquiries Desks will close at 17:00.
**Please note that advanced records and research advice is only available between 11:00 – 15:00.
| Closure dates | All dates listed are inclusive |
|---|---|
| Christmas 2018 | Monday 24 December to Wednesday 26 December |
| New Year’s Day 2019 | Tuesday 1 January |
| Easter | Friday 19 to Monday 22 April (closing at 17:00 on Thursday 18 April) |
| May Bank Holiday | Saturday 4 to Monday 6 May |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Saturday 25 to Monday 27 May |
| Summer Bank Holiday | Saturday 24 to Monday 26 August |
| Christmas | Tuesday 24 to Thursday 26 December |
| New Year’s Day 2020 | Wednesday 1 January |
Restaurant, cafe, The Keeper’s Gallery and bookshop
Our bookshop is open from 09:00 to 17:00 Tuesday to Saturday. You can also browse and purchase books from our online bookshop.
| Day | Restaurant | Cafe |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | Closed |
| Tuesday | Breakfast: 08:30 – 10:30 Lunch 12:00 – 14:30 |
08:00 – 18:30 |
| Wednesday | Breakfast: 08:30 – 10:30 Lunch 12:00 – 14:30 |
08:00 – 16:45 |
| Thursday | Breakfast: 08:30 – 10:30 Lunch 12:00 – 14:30 |
08:00 – 18:30 (until 20:30 during May and June 2018) |
| Friday | Breakfast: 08:30 – 10:30 Lunch 12:00 – 14:30 |
08:00 – 16:45 |
| Saturday | Breakfast: 08:30 – 10:30 Lunch 12:00 – 14:30 |
08:30 – 16:00 |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed |
Car park
| Day | Car park hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 08:30 – 20:00 |
| Tuesday | 08:30 – 20:00 |
| Wednesday | 08:30 – 20:00 |
| Thursday | 08:30 – 20:00 (until 21:00 during May and June 2018) |
| Friday | 08:30 – 20:00 |
| Saturday | 08:30 – 20:00 |
| Sunday | Closed |
Parking outside these hours will incur a penalty charge of £100.
The visitor car park hours will be extended to accommodate out-of-hours events.
