The London Archives
Explore London's Story
Search the catalogue
Explore London's Story
Visit our free Spotlight on Music Hall display - runs until 5 February 2026
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.
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! Tickets selling fast!
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.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.
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.
Talk
Louisa Aldrich-Blake - The First Woman Master of Surgery
Talk and performance
2025 sees the centenary of the death of Dame Louisa Aldrich-Blake. The event includes a talk by Professor Claire Brock, archival document displays and a specially written performance by the Pascal Theatre Company.
What's On
Archives on Show: The London County Council Photograph Collection
Document Viewing
Our 'Archives on Show' events are a chance for us to show you the wide range of material we hold at The London Archives. In December we look at the London County Council Photograph Library.
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.
What's On
A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks
Literary Event
Join maritime archaeologist David Gibbins in a discussion of his book on twelve ships and the people who sailed on them, the cargo and treasure they carried and their tragic fate.
What's On
The Worlds of Jane Austen
Literary Event
Celebrate Jane Austen's 250th birthday with Helena Kelly, author of 'The Worlds of Jane Austen', exploring people, politics and places that shaped Austen's life and work.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
Spotlight on Music Hall
Free display
A small but striking display featuring some of our treasures from around the 1890s-1920s relating to Music Hall on show in the Information Area. From 6 October 2025 until 5 February 2026 | 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.
Exhibition
Illustrating the 'London in the Second World War' exhibition
Isabella Lazeris
Artist Isabella Lazeris worked with our 'London in the Second World War' exhibition and provided an illustrative interpretation for a contemporary audience.
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.
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
The History of London Department stores
Find out more
Here we delve into the rich history of London's department stores and reflect on how the retail landscape has changed over the centuries.
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.