The London Archives
Explore London's Story
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Explore London's Story
Plan Your Visit
Explore London's Story
Help With Your Research1000 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.
Our next events
Our events programme has something for everyone, from history workshops to behind the scenes tours.
What's On
Hanif Kureishi - The Buddha of Suburbia
Book Group
11 December - Book Group meets monthly to explore a range of London writing, with a remit covering fiction and non-fiction for all periods.
What's On
Archives on Show: Ephemera
Document viewing
13 December - Our Archives on Show events are a chance for us to show you the sheer range of material we hold at The London Archives.
What's On
Archives on Show: Maps
Document viewing
10 January - Our Archives on Show events are a chance for us to show you the sheer range of material we hold at The London Archives.
What's On
Nick Hornby – About a Boy
Book Group
8 January - Book Group meets monthly to explore a range of London writing, with a remit covering fiction and non-fiction for all periods.Exhibitions
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
Lost Victorian City
Our current exhibition
Find out about the Lost Victorian City exhibition at The London Archives - exhibition runs until February 2025!
Exhibition
City of London, a city of science
Free exhibition at the Guildhall Art Gallery
Until 23 January 2025 - discover more about Robert Hooke, Blackfriars Bridge and Charles Pearson
Exhibition
The Victorian Dolls of Annie Horatia Jones
Exhibition
We take a look at the Victorian dolls that belonged to Annie Horatia Jones and were made by her aunt Tamzine Billing in 1886. They are on display at The London Archives until 6 February 2025.
Exhibition
London in the Second World War
Exhibition coming soon!
In our upcoming exhibition we will explore the experiences of Londoners during the Second World War.The London Archives Blog
Explore stories and articles about the archives and London's history in our blog.
Exhibition
Society for Photographing Relics of Old London
Exhibition Highlights
Highlighting some of the features of our Lost Victorian City Exhibition - we explore the Society for Photographing Relics of Old London.
Exhibition
Social Investigation and Street Life in Victorian London
Exhibition Highlights
Highlighting some of the features of our Lost Victorian City Exhibition - here curator Rachel Barrett takes a look at Street Life in Victorian London.
Exhibition
Spiritualism and the Victorian City
Exhibition Highlights
Highlighting some of the features of our Lost Victorian City Exhibition - we explore the subject of Spiritualism.
Exhibition
Seed Cake recipe
Tastes from the Lost Victorian City
Experimenting with Victorian recipes - this time we're trying out a seed cake.
Exhibition
Victorian Fashion Prints
Exhibition highlights
Highlighting some of the features of our Lost Victorian City Exhibition, here we take a look at Victorian fashion prints.
Exhibition
Tower Bridge and the Port of London
Exhibition Highlights
Highlighting some of the features of our Lost Victorian City Exhibition - we explore the Port of London.
Exhibition
Unforgotten Lives Exhibition
Past Exhibition - Digital Experience
Explore a digital version of our Unforgotten Lives exhibition.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.
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