6 February 2026
- 18:30 to 22:00
Late
Love Letters Late: Ghosted
A one‑night rendezvous with and for history’s hopeless romantics at The National Archives.
- Date
- 6 February 2026
- Location
- The National Archives, Kew
Ever been left on read? So have they – for centuries.
Meet the ghosts of love past at a one night only after-hours event inspired by our new exhibition Love Letters featuring lonely hearts, hopeless romantics and shameless flirts. Your guide for this most romantic of evenings will be our extraordinary MC Aphrodite the First.
Event highlights:
- Explore the Love Letters exhibition after dark.
- Take part in historical speed dating – meet our specialists and learn more about the individuals behind the letters and decide who deserves your heart by swiping left or right in a live vote.*
- Say it with words! Print your own keepsake on a IRL press with Pixel Press.
- Show your love for a that special someone with a (temporary) tattoo.
- Craft floral feelings with our origami artist.
- Browse 1920s lonely heart ads then pen your own.
- Be serenaded by a live string quartet playing romantic tunes.
- A pop-up prosecco bar and other tasty beverages and treats from Maids of Honour.
- Indulge in a bit of red-hot retail therapy at our shop.
*Artistic interpretation by Time Will Tell Theatre.
Please note: this event is strictly 18+ and you may be asked for proof of age on entry. All bars will be card payments only.
Also be aware there will be photography taking place during this event. The photographs will be for future promotional use by The National Archives. If you do not wish to have your photo taken, please speak to a member of staff at the event about opting out. We will provide stickers for those who choose not to opt in for photography.
Yearning for more?
Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear details about our second Love Letters late taking place Friday 10 April 2026.
Event details
Dates for this event
Plan your visit
What is The National Archives?
The National Archives is the official archive of the UK government, and England and Wales. We are the guardians of over 1,000 years of iconic national documents.
Everyone is welcome to visit our headquarters in Kew. We put on exhibitions, events and displays and offer reading rooms giving access to our collections there.
Getting here
The National Archives is located by the River Thames in Kew, 30 minutes from Central London. We offer advice on travelling to us by car, bike, train or bus.
Children and families
We provide a warm welcome to visitors of all ages, including children and family groups.
- Free activity sheets (for ages 1+) are available from the Time Travel Club trolley in our entrance hall
- Our café is child-friendly and there are picnic benches outside
- Prams and buggies are welcome, and we have a buggy park
- Baby changing facilities are located by our entrance hall, at the top of the main stairs, and in the library
- Emergency supplies of nappies and wipes are available
Eat and drink
We have a café and coffee bar provided by Maids of Honour, a historic local tea room and bakery. It has spacious indoor and outside seating and a soft play area.
On the menu is a variety of high-quality lunchtime meals, sandwiches, snacks, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements are all catered to.
Event highlights
Love Late
Image 1 of 7
Image 2 of 7
Image 3 of 7
Image 4 of 7
Image 5 of 7
Image 6 of 7
Image 7 of 7
Series
Love Letters season
Discover 500 years of devotion, longing, sacrifice and passion through our events programme.