The London Archives
Explore London's Story
Search the catalogue
Explore London's Story
Help With Your Research
Explore London's Story
London in the Second World War - free exhibition
Explore London's Story
Visit our free Shakespeare display - runs until 2 October 2025
Explore London's Story
Plan Your Visit1000 Years of London's History
The London Archives is a free public archive focussing on the history of London from 1067 to the present day. Visit us to explore millions of historical manuscripts, maps, photographs, books and films or enjoy our exhibitions, events and workshops. Entrance is free and everyone is welcome.
Explore your story. Uncover London's history. Discover The London Archives.
Registration
Search the catalogue, register for a History Card to access original documents and find out more about the services we offer.
Events
Our events programme has something for everyone, from history workshops to behind the scenes tours. For a full list of our upcoming events visit Eventbrite.
Open House Festival 2025
Tour
Discover the world of a modern archive with behind-the scenes tours that takes you to places not usually open to the public.
Curator-led exhibition tours - August
Exhibition Tour
Every month, our curators will guide you through the exhibition exploring the lives of Londoners during the Second World War. Find out our times and dates for August
A visit to conservation - August
Tour
Join us for a behind the scenes tour of our conservation studio, and see some of the fascinating work that takes place
Focus on Family History - September
Workshop
New to the The London Archives? Every month we guide you though some of our major family history resources, and help you get to know your way around
To Detain or to Punish
Literary event
Join us at The London Archives as Dr Kiran Mehta introduces her new book exploring the penal landscape of 18th century London.Exhibitions and displays
The London Archives has a changing programme of exhibitions throughout the year both in Clerkenwell and the Heritage Gallery at the Guildhall Art Gallery. Look out for our outdoor exhibitions too.
London in the Second World War
Our current exhibition
Explore the experiences of Londoners during the Second World War in this free exhibition. What effect did it have on the city they knew? What was it like to live through the Blitz, to see your neighbourhood change overnight, or to be a volunteer with one of the city’s emergency services?
Shakespeare in London
Free display
Rarely displayed treasures relating to William Shakespeare will be on show in the Information Area. From 30 June until 2 October 2025 | Free
City Bridge Foundation
Exhibition at City Heritage Gallery at Guildhall
Find out more about the history of the City Bridge Foundation.The London Archives Blog
Explore stories and articles about the archives and London's history in our blog.
The Conservation of Civitas Londinum
Our oldest printed map gets a wash!
Conservator Tom Bower describes how the oldest known map of London was given a thorough clean!
Magna Carta in the City of London
Find out more
Find out more about the Magna Carta held in the collection at The London Archives.
Women and Art in London
Find out more
Learn about women producing and publishing art in London during the 1600s - 1800s.
The war diary of John Teague
Find out more
Della Judd writes about her grandfather's experience in the RAF in London during the Second World War.
Writing the War
Reading literature of the Second World War
Highlighting some research in connection with our London in the Second World War Exhibition - here we reflect on The London Archives' book group wartime reads.
Recording the war: air raid report books
Exhibition highlights
Highlighting some of the features of our London in the Second World War Exhibition - here we investigate the air raid report books.In Focus
Discover our work and services, and find out more about us.
Our Projects
Read about our projects and partnerships
What our visitors say
I have made many visits in the past 20 years to this valuable and wonderful archive centre. The staff are always so helpful, knowledgeable, and approachable. If you have London ancestry, be sure to pay a visit.
What an absolute thrill to be given the chance to see the Shakespeare deed - thank you!
Really interesting location with well presented current exhibition and an excellent series of talks and lectures.
I came to search for information on smallpox, Dr Ricketts and the hospitals in Darenth. The staff were excellent - very helpful and I found exactly what I was looking for.
Great exhibitions and reading rooms if you're into that.. staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Great times.
I visited today and found the staff extremely knowledgeable helpful and friendly
Very interesting had a tour and viewed some posters and books ... so much held here amazing