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Easter weekend closure

Due to scheduled maintenance, The National Archives will be closed over the Easter bank holiday weekend. Our building and grounds will close to the public at 17:00 on Thursday 2 April and reopen at 11:00 on Tuesday 7 April. Please check our website for the latest updates before travelling. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.

Our grounds

Our home in Kew includes beautiful grounds including our Pocket Park, two lakes enjoyed by local swans and wildfowl, and a paved terrace outside the front of our building.

Pocket Park

This grassy area offers a tranquil space to take a break or the perfect place to bring your own lunch (if the weather is good).

It contains a number of picnic benches all year round, as well as deckchairs and parasols in the summertime, that are free for everyone to use.

It also has a pebbled footpath that is popular with dog walkers, though we ask that pets are kept on leads while on our grounds.

Lakes

Our grounds contain two lakes with water features including fountains. These are home to our families of swans and other wildfowl.

The Terrace

In front of our building is a paved terrace with covered tables and seating, which are free to use at any time.