Exhibitions

Our exhibitions are free and open to all. You do not need to book to visit, but do check our opening times.

"There are so many Windrush stories we will never know about; it was important to me to highlight the Windrush generation's invaluable contribution to the U.

Great Escapes: Remarkable Second World War Captives opening on 2 February 2024 reveals the stories of prisoners of war and civilian internees.

Spirit of Invention was a family exhibition open from 27 May to 29 October 2023 where you could become an inventor for the day.

Stories Unboxed is a new display that takes a single document and explores its story. Let our specialists highlight topical finds and lesser-known treasures.

Fifty years after the first Pride March in the UK, we’re remembering and celebrating some of the LGBTQ+ lives in the archives through our ‘Pride Portraits’ project.

Treason: People, Power & Plot -was an exhibition on the history of treason since 1352. Discover 700 years of treasonous history.

Our exhibition in Summer 2022 let visitors step into the world of 1920s Britain and experience what life was really like.

‘[re]Encoding the Archive” is an exhibition of three newly commissioned installations that explore our journey into the Digital Age.

Examine our replica Cabinet table and explore leaders from the past through their documents at this permanent display at The National Archives.

Our ‘With Love’ exhibition in 2020 offered glimpses into private worlds through a collection of love letters spanning 500 years.

‘Protect and Survive’ in 2019 offered a fascinating look at Britain during the Cold War era, exploring life under the persistent threat of nuclear attack.