Please note

As we enter the final days of the exhibition we're reaching capacity at weekends. We recommend you arrive early and scan the QR code for our virtual queueing system immediately. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept any more groups.

Exhibition

MI5: Official Secrets

A free, groundbreaking exhibition – visit now

Date: 5 April to 23 November 2025
Price: Free

Step inside the hidden world of MI5 and explore the extraordinary stories behind the security of a nation.

For the first time, MI5’s history is on display to the public in a major new exhibition, made possible through an unprecedented partnership between the Security Service and The National Archives.

Explore the ever-changing world of espionage and security threats through original case files, photographs and papers, alongside the real equipment used by spies and spy-catchers over MI5’s 115-year history.

From counter-espionage and daring double-agents during the world wars, to chilling Cold War confessions and the counter-terrorism of recent times, this historic exhibition takes you behind the scenes of one of Britain’s most iconic institutions.

Date

Tuesday to Sunday

See our opening times

Price

Free

No booking required.

Guidance for groups

Age

Recommended for ages 8+

Location

Exhibition space

The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU

Accessibility

See our accessibility guide

Review from The Daily Telegraph

5 stars

Richly detailed and wholly fascinating

The Daily Telegraph

Exhibition highlights

Image 1 of 6

Two visitors looking at different displays in the MI5: Official Secrets exhibition. — Immerse yourself in authentic spy records from both famous and lesser-known espionage cases.

Image 2 of 6

A small black camera made entirely of metal, with leather bellows extending to the lens. — Take a look at MI5's first camera, a pocket-sized 'Ensignette' made by Houghton Ltd, from 1910. On loan from the Security Service

Image 3 of 6

A woman holds open a file and looks at a photograph. — Browse facsimile copies of previously top-secret MI5 files, including spies and double agents.

Image 4 of 6

A paper code wheel ripped into many pieces. — See the evidence that Josef Jakobs, the last person executed at the Tower of London, was a German spy. Catalogue reference: KV 2/27

Image 5 of 6

Two people stood looking at a rusted metal case covered with dials, buttons and vents. — See the advanced radio equipment found buried in the garden of Soviet spies Helen and Peter Kroger in the 1960s. On loan from GCHQ

Image 6 of 6

An open leather case with pouches for documents and protruding metal locks. — Examine notorious spy Guy Burgess' dispatch case, which contained letters, papers and photographs. On loan from the Security Service

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.

Find out more about who we are

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.

Read our advice on getting here

Opening times

MI5: Official Secrets is open at the following times:

Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 09:00 to 19:00
Wednesday: 09:00 to 17:00
Thursday: 09:00 to 19:00
Friday: 09:00 to 17:00
Saturday: 09:00 to 18:00
Sunday: 10:00 to 16:00

The exhibition will be open for shorter hours on some bank holiday weekend dates. Check our full Opening times for details.

Onsite virtual queue

To allow the best possible experience for visitors to this free exhibition, we are operating an onsite virtual queue.

Once you arrive at our site, you will be invited to join the virtual queue by a member of our Welcome Team.

To do this you will need a smartphone, but you will not need to download any apps or create any accounts. If you do not have a smartphone our Welcome Team will be able to assist you with an alternate option.

Group visits

Due to limited space and high demand, we are currently unable to accept any further group bookings.

Accessibility

Everyone is welcome to visit this exhibition.

There is step-free level access throughout all areas
The exhibition has low lighting levels
It includes pictures, audio, information boards, televisions/screens and interactive exhibits at a suitable height for a wheelchair user
Large print guides are available

Find out more about accessibility in our exhibition space

Children and families

We provide a warm welcome to visitors of all ages, including children and family groups.

Explore the exhibition together with our MI5: Official Secrets family trail, for ages 8+, and decode a secret message
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

Find out more about visiting with children

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.

Find out more about our café

Visit us