Display

Stories Unboxed

Date: All-year round
Price: Free

Each month we take a single, remarkable document, put it on display, and explore its story. Come and see topical finds and lesser-known treasures for yourself!

Records come in all shapes and sizes. It doesn’t matter if they’re 1,000 years old or 20 – each one offers a powerful glimpse into the past.

Stories Unboxed explores a different record (or maybe even two) from The National Archives' collection each month – that could set you on a journey of discovery...

Browse a specially-curated selection of books on the month's topic from our library, next to the display case
Join us for a ten-minute talk from one of our collection specialists, at the display case, on the second Tuesday of each month at 12:00

Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday; See our opening times
Price: Free; No booking needed
Location: First Floor; The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU
Accessibility: See our accessibility guide

Currently on display

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A piece of paper and exhibit label in a display case — This month's display tells the incredible story of an attack on a British town during the American Revolutionary War.

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The display case shown within the room it sits in. A green table can be seen in the foreground. — Come and discover this display for yourself! This record can be found on the first floor of The National Archives in Kew.

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

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

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