tfl.gov.uk
Getting around London
The Transport for London website can help you to plan your visit by Tube, Overground, rail and bus.
Getting here
The National Archives is located in Kew, one of the prettiest parts of southwest London. Find out how to reach us by car, bike, coach and public transport, including information on accessible routes.
Finding us
- Address
-
The National Archives
Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 4DU
If you are travelling by car or taxi, please note that our sat nav postcode is TW9 4AD and that access is via Bessant Drive.
Map of the area around The National Archives, including accessible routes from Kew Gardens station.
Our building and grounds are just a leafy 10-minute walk from Kew Gardens station.
By public transport
Rail
You can reach The National Archives using the London Underground (the Tube), Overground and National Rail.
The nearest stations are:
- Kew Gardens (0.5 miles from The National Archives) – District Line and Mildmay Line
- Kew Bridge (1 mile from The National Archives) – South Western Railway
- Richmond (2 miles from The National Archives) – District Line, Mildmay Line and South Western Railway
The signposted pedestrian route from Kew Bridge station is incorrect. If travelling from Kew Bridge, please use the maps on this page to guide you via the A205 Mortlake Road, or the Thames Path.
Kew Gardens station accessibility
Kew Gardens station has exit ramps from both platforms, but no lifts. There is no step-free interchange between platforms.
See Kew Gardens station access information for more details.
Our map above shows the route to take to The National Archives from the eastbound platform (the red dotted line) and the westbound platform of Kew Gardens station (the blue dotted line).
There is no direct bus service from The National Archives to or from Kew Gardens station. You can get a taxi from the station. Ask a member of the station staff or go to the station office (eastbound side of Kew Gardens station) for local taxi numbers or for assistance in calling a taxi.
Ask the driver to take you to Bessant Drive (TW9 4AD).
If you are travelling from Richmond and need step-free access, we recommend catching the R68 bus (from just outside Richmond station) instead of travelling by train or Tube to Kew Gardens station.
Kew Bridge station accessibility
Kew Bridge station has no step-free access. There can be a large gap between the train and the platform when getting on or off of a train here.
There are no direct bus routes from Kew Bridge station to The National Archives.
See Kew Bridge station access information for more details.
Bus
The R68 bus route from Hampton Court via Richmond terminates by the entrance to The National Archives.
Other routes stopping nearby include:
- 110 Hounslow to Hammersmith via Richmond, get off on Mortlake Road near Kew Green (10-minute walk)
- 65 Ealing to Kingston via Richmond, get off on Kew Road near Victoria Gate (15-minute walk)
- 237 Shepherd’s Bush to Hounslow Heath via Chiswick, get off at Kew Bridge (20-minute walk)
- 267 Hammersmith to Fulwell via Brentford, get off at Kew Bridge (20-minute walk)
All London bus routes are served by low-floor vehicles, with a dedicated space for one wheelchair user and an access ramp.
By road
The National Archives is located in Kew, London, just off the South Circular road, near to the M4. We have a dedicated car park for our visitors, including motorbike parking and Blue Badge parking.
If you are arriving or departing by road, the sat nav postcode for our car park is TW9 4AD and access is via Bessant Drive.
Important information
Please note that The National Archives is located within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
Parking charges
We charge a fee to park in our visitor car park, which is payable on site at the end of your visit. The pay points can be found inside our building.
| Up to two hours | £2.50 |
|---|---|
| Up to four hours | £4.50 |
| Over four hours | £7.00 |
| Blue Badge holders | Free |
Car park opening hours
Our car park is open every day that we are open to the public, but its opening times vary throughout the week.
Opening times
We are open from Tuesday to Sunday. Opening hours for our reading rooms, exhibitions, and other facilities vary.
Accessible parking
There are a number of free accessible parking bays at the rear entrance of the building (which are approximately 60 metres from the entrance door). The parking bays are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please show your Blue Badge.
The nearest drop-off point to The National Archives is at the rear of the building adjacent to the designated accessible parking spaces.
On arrival, you will pass through a security barrier, where you will need to inform security staff on the intercom whether you are dropping someone off or parking in one of the bays.
If the accessible parking bays are full, the main visitors’ car park is approximately 200 metres from the main entrance to the building. The main carpark has level access. The route is at least 3.2 metres wide.
By bicycle
The National Archives is located next to the Thames Path, Route 4 of the National Cycle Network. Bicycle sheds are provided, although bicycles are left at your own risk. Bicycles, including folding bicycles, are not permitted inside the building.
Some of the entrances to our site, and some of the paths in our grounds, are for shared pedestrian and cycle use. Please take extra care when cycling around our site.
By coach
We have one coach bay on site that can be booked each day that we are open to visitors (Tuesday to Sunday). Advance booking is essential and free of charge.
Please do not make coach travel arrangements until you have confirmed your booking.