The London Archives
Explore London's Story
Search the catalogue
Explore London's Story
Visit our free Shakespeare display - runs until 2 October 2025
Explore London's Story
Help With Your Research
Explore London's Story
London in the Second World War - free exhibition
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.
Workshop
Focus on Family History - October
Talk
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
Talk
Apprenticeship and the Rise of London, 1500 to 1800
Talk and Document Viewing
Discover how London came to dominate the economy and polity of England in the three centuries after 1500 in this illustrated talk by Professor Patrick Wallis, based on his new book 'The Market for Skill'.
What's On
The Power of Black African Caribbean Archives
Annual Huntley Conference 2025
This year's Huntley Conference celebrates the enduring power of Black-led and community-curated archives with a celebration that brings together artists, archivists, scholars and activists to explore archives as instruments of resistance, cultural memory, and collective self-representation.
Talk
Science, the Supernatural and the Victorian Illusionists
Talk
An illustrated talk drawing on our collection of entertainment posters. We will meet all manner of apparitions - including devils, skeletons, and a flying rabbit. Hear how these were created using an illusion at that time called Pepper's Ghost.
Workshop
Solvent-gels workshop
Led by Book and Paper Conservator Françoise Richard
A three-day training course focussing on the use of gels combined with aqueous solutions and organic solvents for in book and paper conservation.
Talk
Zeppelins Over London - Autumn 1915
Talk
Zeppelin expert Ian Castle explores the events in London when Zeppelins brought terror right to the heart of the capital.
What's On
Archives on Show: Epping Forest
Document Viewing
Our 'Archives on Show' events let you come and take a look at a selection of documents, maps, plans and images from the archives. In October, we're looking at items related to Epping Forest.
Workshop
The First Archive We Knew
Workshop
Join Cassia Clarke for a beginner-friendly workshop, designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of preserving personal photographs.Featured Events
Find out more about our upcoming special featured events.
What's On
Magic Lantern Show and Exhibition Late View
Performance
Join us for an evening of Victorian magic and entertainment with Jeremy and Carolyn Brooker from the Magic Lantern Society!
What's On
Centre Stage: Music Hall at The London Archives
Symposium & Showcase
This insightful event showcases the diversity of our collections and explores the social, cultural, and architectural legacy of Music Hall through engaging talks by leading historians and cultural experts, especially curated document displays and interactive sessions with archivists and conservators.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.
Exhibition
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?
What's On
Shakespeare in London
Free display - ending soon!
Rarely displayed treasures relating to William Shakespeare will be on show in the Information Area. From 30 June until 2 October 2025 | Free
Exhibition
Epping Forest
Exhibition at City Heritage Gallery
A free exhibition on Epping Forest using documents from The London Archives on show at Guildhall from 27 September 2025 to 30 April 2026.The London Archives Blog
Explore stories and articles about the archives and London's history in our blog.
Our Work
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!
Long read
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.
Long read
Henry V
Propaganda at the Cinema
Highlighting some research in connection with our London in the Second World War Exhibition - this article investigates a surprising connection between the 1944 film ‘Henry V’ and the London County Council.
Long read
Women and Art in London
Find out more
Learn about women producing and publishing art in London during the 1600s - 1800s.
Article
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.
Exhibition
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.
Exhibition
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.
Long read
London's Auxiliary Ambulance Station 50
The untold story of the Blitz
Highlighting some research in connection with our London in the Second World War Exhibition - here we take a closer look at the contribution of London's South Asian communities to civil defence.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
Really enjoyable exhibition. Good to see info on ordinary people living through the war in London.