The National Archives - Virtual Tour

Welcome to The National Archives, a hidden gem in Richmond, west London, housing over 1,000 years of the nation's stories. Tucked away in leafy Kew, just a 10 minute walk from Kew Gardens Station, we are free and open to all - everyone is welcome to explore our exhibitions, beautiful gardens and the treasures in our collection. From royal love letters to 20th century prime ministers, the doomsday book to cold war spies, our collections hold some of the world's most iconic historic documents, as well as revealing a more hidden and personal side to history.

You can get hands on with some scribblings by Alan Turing, which turned out to be pretty important, First World War diaries, plans for some wacky inventions, recordings of alien sightings, and even some of the first maps of Australia - that one surprised us too.

There's so much to discover here, over 11 million records to be exact and, as one of the world's largest archival collections, even the mildly curious will find a story to excite them. Our fun, year round family trails take time travelers of all ages on adventures in, and around our grounds unlocking historical discoveries along the way. Whether you're exploring our exhibitions or finding the joy of opening your first archive box inside our reading rooms, experiencing everything on offer here can be thirsty work. Visitors can refuel from our well-stocked cafe with plenty of stunning spots to share your finds with friends. Watch our wildlife from the picnic benches or gaze over our lakes from the balcony over lunch before visiting our shop, which is bursting with gifts, books, and incredible cards. Visit The National Archives from 9am Tuesday-Saturday by bus, bike, car, or train.