Planning your visit to MI5: Official Secrets?

As we enter the final days of the exhibition, we’re extremely busy and you are likely to encounter a wait. We are reaching capacity at weekends and experiencing long waiting times so we recommend you arrive early and be prepared to queue. We have a café, other displays and a film about the exhibition to watch while you wait. Weekdays tend to be quieter, as do Tuesday and Thursday evenings when we are open until 7pm. When you arrive please scan the QR code for our virtual queueing system. Staff are on hand to assist. Enjoy your visit!

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MI5: Official Secrets

Visit our 5-star rated exhibition, made in partnership with MI5 – now extended until 23 November.

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Slow Horses on show

TV drama meets real-life spy histories at The National Archives.

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Happy & Glorious

View a display of new works of art made in response to the 2023 coronation.

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The 14th century series: Power, plague and warfare

Explore a remarkable century of courtly intrigue, terrible battles and social unrest.

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Secret diplomatic message deciphered after 350 years

Ruth Selman shares an exciting update!

News

Announcing upcoming exhibition, Revolution 250: The Making of the USA

Free exhibition will feature rare Declaration of Independence

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Visiting our reading rooms

We encourage booking visits in advance.

Our research & academic collaboration

Learn about our work as an Independent Research Organisation.

Archives sector

Get help to develop your collections and archives services.

Education

View award-winning resources for students and teachers.

Information management

Access best practice in records management and transfer, and information re-use.