The National Archives

About The National Archives

Explore the dark vaults of history at the National Archives. Take a behind the scenes tour at the National Archives and learn more about how documents are selected to be opened to the public, handle records yourself, see the work that goes into conserving valuable documents and visit our repositories not normally open to the public. Tours take place on Saturdays at 100 and 1400 and are free. To book a tour call (020) 8876 3444.

Please note that the museum will close in March for refurbishment and will reopen in 2008.

In the meantime, visitors can still visit the bookshop, café, internet café and all the full range of services to help people explore the extraordinary collections at TNA to find out more about themselves, their families and the history of the UK.

Visitors wishing to access the records must bring a formal document (driving license, or cheque card) bearing your name and signature.

Facilities

Opening Times Closed for public holidays, contact The National Archives for details of this and summer closure.

The National Archives Address

Address:
Ruskin Avenue
Kew
TW9 4DU
Telephone: +44 (0)20 8876 3444

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Location Information for The National Archives

Address:
Ruskin Avenue
Kew
TW9 4DU
Telephone: +44 (0)20 8876 3444
By Road: Kew Gardens - signposted from station. Kew Bridge: cross over Kew Bridge and follow main road to left along Kew Road and Mortlake Road. Pass under railway bridge and turn next left into Ruskin Avenue.

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Events at The National Archives

  • Art and History: Royal and Personal Seals

    Exhibition

    Recurring event

    This workshop introduces pupils to some of the amazing ancient wax seals in our collection. The aim of the workshop is to give pupils an understanding of how seals were made, how and why they were used, and what the images used on them mean.

     

  • British Union of Fascists

    Exhibition

    Recurring event

    This workshop gives an opportunity to work on a selection of files produced by the Metropolitan Police and Home Office relating to the Olympia rally, before considering how the media portrayed the BUF. The Metropolitan Police documents are compared to scenes of the Olympia rally in the television film 'Mosley'.

     

  • Chartism

    Exhibition

    Recurring event

    This workshop is based on a collection of detailed, personal interviews with Chartist prisoners that were made by the Home Office in 1839. The education officer lead the discussion with the students to bring together the results of their research and see if it is possible to identify a typical Chartist, and debate how useful these interviews are as evidence for understanding the motives of Chartists.

     

  • Cold War

    Exhibition

    Recurring event

    This workshop considers the causes of the Cold War, using documents from Cabinet Minutes, the Prime Minister's records and Foreign Office files. It focuses on three main elements: Soviet Policy 1945-48, Churchill and the Iron Curtain speech, and the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Aid.

     
All 29 events at this venue
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