The National Archives - NewsRead the latest news stories and press releases from the National Archives.2026-04-20T02:39:37Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/542/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/static/assets/images/icon-256x256.pngDebenhams archive saved by collaboration2026-03-23T09:37:00Z2026-03-25T11:45:06.491480Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/1164/Individuals and organisations working together has secured the future of the historic Debenhams archive.The National ArchivesMI5: Official Secrets exhibition shortlisted for national award2026-03-19T12:07:00Z2026-03-19T12:50:23.040739Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/1145/An exhibition co-curated by The National Archives and MI5 has been shortlisted for a national award.The National ArchivesYour stories matter – new funding for community archiving2026-03-17T12:18:00Z2026-03-19T15:21:42.868487Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/1134/We've awarded grants totalling nearly £50,000 to help communities archive their storiesThe National ArchivesChinese wallpaper analysis kicks off Year of the Horse2026-03-12T16:03:00Z2026-03-17T12:14:20.424246Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/1117/One of the most comprehensive analytical studies of Chinese export wallpaper has begun in our conservation studioThe National ArchivesAllocating collections acceptance in lieu of tax 2024-52026-03-04T11:00:00Z2026-03-05T14:42:38.848406Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/990/Every year, The National Archives receive documents, archives or collections through the UK Art Council's Acceptance in Lieu scheme.James Travershttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/people/james-travers/?utm_source=feed-news&utm_medium=atomAdvisory Council on National Records and Archives appointments and reappointments2026-02-10T15:52:00Z2026-02-10T16:32:29.093274Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/993/The Secretary of State has reappointed three members, and appointed two new members to the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives.The National ArchivesIncrease in fees2026-01-30T10:17:00Z2026-01-30T11:06:00.435054Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/968/On Monday 2 February 2026, The National Archives will increase fees for some services as we bring charges in line with current delivery costs.The National ArchivesPupils in North East England get hands-on with history2026-01-26T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:06:50.892148Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/955/Our collaboration with North East Museums will allow young people in North East England to work with our historic records without having to travel to London.The National ArchivesUntil Sat 12 April: Love Letters exhibition reveals the lengths we go for love2026-01-22T10:38:00Z2026-03-31T14:03:21.602332Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/947/Love letters relating to some of the most famous love affairs in British history are on show at The National Archives from Saturday 24 January 2026.The National ArchivesThe National Archives welcomes new directors2026-01-21T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:28:46.480596Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/945/Tobi Adetimilehin joins the organisation as Finance Director and Claire Wightman is appointed Director of People, Inclusion, and Change.The National ArchivesThe National Archives and RIBA to partner2026-01-13T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:06:50.619692Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/930/The collaboration will provide interim public access to the RIBA Drawings and Archives collections formerly housed in South Kensington.The National ArchivesMore than 600 government files released under 20-year rule2025-12-30T10:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:51:15.828912Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/905/More than 600 documents have been released by the Cabinet Office today under the 20-year rule.The National ArchivesChristmas 1604 ledger shows Shakespeare top of the bill2025-12-18T10:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:10:43.311173Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/904/A set of accounts which record one of the first performances of Shakespeare’s Othello will be on show at The National Archives from 12 January 2026.The National ArchivesParliament’s Archive Collections Now Accessible at The National Archives2025-12-12T10:41:00Z2026-01-29T09:11:55.941323Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/903/From today, visitors to The National Archives can request access to records from Parliament’s Archive which are now housed at Kew.The National ArchivesRare chance to see Jane Austen’s will in Love Letters exhibition2025-12-09T10:38:00Z2026-01-29T09:08:23.093198Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/902/Two hundred and fifty years after her birth on 16 December 1775, Jane Austen fans will have a rare chance to see her will.The National ArchivesBosie’s passionate plea for lover Oscar Wilde in Love Letters exhibition2025-12-08T10:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:08:38.560703Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/901/A passionate plea for clemency from Oscar Wilde’s lover Lord Alfred Douglas goes on show in The National Archives’ Love Letters exhibition, opening in January.The National ArchivesThe National Archives Updates Service Fees2025-12-01T10:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:08:38.440170Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/900/From 2 February 2026, The National Archives will increase fees for some services as we bring charges in line with current delivery costs.The National ArchivesFresh chapter as archives gain accredited status2025-11-25T10:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:08:38.208975Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/898/Six contrasting archives from different parts of Britain have won accredited status for the first time.The National ArchivesProject to bring voices of enslaved people to life2025-11-20T10:13:00Z2026-01-29T09:08:38.325352Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/899/We are collaborating with international academics to open up access to the largest collection of testimony of enslaved people from the Caribbean.The National ArchivesExhibition to explore the making of America to feature rare Declaration of Independence2025-10-21T09:00:00Z2026-02-03T17:09:02.432043Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/773/A major 2026 exhibition will explore the birth of the United States of America to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.The National ArchivesSnapshot of Tudor England in Henry VIII’s ‘Domesday’2025-10-06T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:08:37.951364Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/723/The National Archives is helping make accessible a financial survey of the Church ordered by Henry VIII after his break with Rome.The National ArchivesGresford Colliery documents head for Wrexham in first for The National Archives2025-09-18T12:05:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:10.792429Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/663/The National Archives is displaying records related to the Gresford Colliery disaster in Wrexham Library to mark the 91st anniversary on 22 September 2025.The National ArchivesSchools service scoops heritage award for The National Archives2025-09-18T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:08:52.890658Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/666/Educators at The National Archives have won a prestigious prize for their history workshops.The National ArchivesShakespeare family will found by historian2025-08-21T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:27.482396Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/616/A 1642 will which caused a legal row about William Shakespeare’s property in Stratford-upon-Avon has been discovered at The National Archives.The National ArchivesWind in their sails: £750,000 grants boost for archives2025-08-18T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:08:52.815961Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/615/Design plans for Titanic, sketches by Raymond Briggs and gig posters by Martin F. Bedford will all be more accessible thanks to cataloguing grants.The National ArchivesNew accreditation awards to archive services2025-08-06T09:16:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:10.656580Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/570/The Science and Industry Museum and the North Lanarkshire Archives have been accredited for the first time.The National ArchivesExperts sought for The Manorial and Tithe Documents Panel2025-08-06T08:49:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:10.265043Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/560/New members are being sought for a panel which advises The Master of the Rolls on historical documents related to the manorial system and tithes.The National ArchivesLatest release of Cabinet Office and Prime Ministers’ papers2025-07-22T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:17:22.958102Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/569/We have digitised 200 files which have been released by the Cabinet Office.The National ArchivesEmotions in the archives: study scoops international award2025-07-17T09:17:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:26.703640Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/543/The editors of a ground-breaking new study about emotions and archives which includes work by a researcher at The National Archives has won a prestigious award.The National Archives3D models help visually impaired students dive into history2025-07-10T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:08:52.400136Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/544/We are launching a new workshop for students who are blind and visually impaired, using a technique that transforms flat documents into 3D models.The National ArchivesMedieval experts reveal how they found Harvard’s Magna Carta2025-06-25T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:27.404623Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/568/The National Archives hosted an evening with the medieval experts who recently discovered a ‘copy’ of the Magna Carta was actually an extremely rare original.The National ArchivesNew windows for first floor2025-06-12T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:12:41.370806Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/567/Work to replace the windows in the 1970s part of our building continues and from Monday 16 June will move to the first floor.The National ArchivesHuman cost of working on the railways revealed in database2025-06-04T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:10.525244Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/566/A new public database listing records about railway accidents is being launched at The National Archives on Thursday 5 June to coincide with Volunteers Week.The National ArchivesKatrina scoops LHVA award in Volunteers’ Week2025-06-02T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:10.397658Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/565/A volunteer at The National Archives has won a London Heritage Volunteer Award (LHVA) for her outstanding work.The National ArchivesDepartment for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announces new members of public records advisory body2025-05-30T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:08:52.731597Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/564/Seven new members have been appointed to the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives, the independent body which advises the government on access to pThe National ArchivesHappy & Glorious: Coronation art exhibition goes on show2025-05-08T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:27.248822Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/563/Stunning new artwork commissioned by the Government Art Collection to mark the Coronation has gone on show in our Happy & Glorious exhibition.The National ArchivesMandatory bag checks introduced for all visitors2025-04-23T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:27.170599Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/562/Starting 29 April 2025, we are introducing new security measures to safeguard our visitors, staff and to protect our collections.The National ArchivesImprovement work to our building continues2025-04-17T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:27.089703Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/561/Work to replace the windows in the 1970s part of our building continues and from June will move to the first floor.The National Archives£1 million project explores lasting impact of Radclyffe Hall’s radical novel2025-04-11T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:27.016851Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/559/Researchers have embarked on a £1 million project to examine the lasting impact of Radclyffe Hall’s radical novel The Well of Loneliness.The National ArchivesCornelia Parker creates new work for Coronation exhibition2025-04-10T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:14:42.139013Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/558/Stunning new artwork commissioned to mark the Coronation goes on show at The National Archives from 2 May.The National ArchivesTanks to Botanics – archives win accredited status2025-03-27T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:10.129152Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/557/The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and The Tank Museum at Bovington, have won accredited status for the first time for their archive services.The National ArchivesParliamentary group receive warm welcome2025-03-20T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:26.867056Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/556/This week we welcomed a delegation from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Archives and History to learn more about the work of The National Archives.The National ArchivesProfessor Andrew Wathey reappointed as Chair of The National Archives Board2025-03-13T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:08:52.643994Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/555/Professor Wathey has been reappointed for a second term as Chair of The National Archives Board. The term will begin in April 2025 and run for 5 years.The National ArchivesArchives Revealed awards new cataloguing grants and first-ever consortium grant2025-02-24T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:10.001667Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/554/Archives Revealed has awarded 12 cataloguing grants and its first ever consortium grant to archives across the UK.The National ArchivesMajor grant to fund research into the history of transatlantic slavery2025-02-20T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:08:52.565823Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/553/The National Archives has been awarded a £1 million grant for a new, collaborative research on the history of the transatlantic trade in enslaved people.The National ArchivesMI5: Official Secrets exhibition opens in the spring2025-02-14T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:15:43.464291Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/549/Today, we can announce a groundbreaking exhibition in partnership with MI5 exploring the vital work of Britain’s domestic intelligence agency.The National ArchivesThe National Archives to establish new hub for community-led research in the cultural heritage sector2025-02-07T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:16:44.316848Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/552/Staff of galleries, libraries, archives and museums around the UK will soon be able to ask The National Archives for help funding community research projects.The National ArchivesSeeking permanent home for John le Carré literary archive2025-02-04T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:09:09.870139Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/551/The John le Carré literary archive has been accepted in lieu of tax by the government.The National ArchivesThe National Archives launches guidance for archivists working in fast response situations2025-01-30T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:03:16.243264Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/550/Today The National Archives has launched new guidance for archivists about rapid response collecting.The National ArchivesLatest release of files from MI52025-01-14T09:00:00Z2026-01-29T09:22:38.171839Zhttps://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/page/548/Today we have made available a selection of previously top secret files from MI5.The National Archives