The London Archives
Explore London's Story
London in the Second World War - free exhibition
Explore London's Story
Search the catalogue
Explore London's Story
Visit our free Tramways Poster display - runs until 26 June 2025
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.
Registration
Search the catalogue, register for a History Card to access original documents and find out more about the services we offer.
Our next 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.
Book Group
Book Group: Agatha Christie – At Bertram’s Hotel
Literary Event
The London Archives Book Group, an online discussion group, meets monthly and welcomes all! Literary Event | 11 Jun | 18:00 - 19:30
What's On
Archives on Show: In Style - Art Nouveau to Art Deco
Document viewing
Our Archives on Show events are a chance for us to show you the sheer range of material we hold at The London Archives. 13 June | 1pm and 2pm | Free
Exhibition
City Bridge Foundation
Exhibition at City Heritage Gallery at Guildhall
Find out more about the history of the City Bridge Foundation. Until 25 September 2025 | Free
What's On
People of Providence by Tony Parker
Book Group
This month, TLA Book Group explores Tony Parker's 1983 book 'The People of Providence' uncovering the inhabitants of an ordinary South London housing estate. Literary Event | 9 July | 6pm | Free
What's On
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.
Tour
Curator-led exhibition tours - June
London in the Second World War Exhibition
Every month our curators will guide you through the exhibition exploring the lives of Londoners during the Second World War.Curator-led tour
Find out about our current exhibition and associated curator-led tours.
Exhibition
London in the Second World War
Exhibition
Explore the experiences of Londoners during the Second World War and the effect it had on the city they knew in our free exhibition. Until 30 October | Free
Tour
Curator-led exhibition tours - June
London in the Second World War Exhibition
Every month our curators will guide you through the exhibition exploring the lives of Londoners during the Second World War. Tues 10 June, 2pm | Wed 18 June, 5.30pm | Tue 24 June, 2pm | £5Exhibitions 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
London's Tramways Posters
Display
Discover our London Tramways Posters in a display in the Information Area. Until 26 June 2025.Exhibition
City Bridge Foundation
Exhibition at City Heritage Gallery at Guildhall
Find out more about the history of the City Bridge Foundation. Until 25 September 2025 | FreeThe 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
The London years of designer Betty Joel
Furniture design
A study of the London career of Betty Joel, nee Mary Stewart Lockhart (1894-1985), a furniture designer, researched using the collections held at The London Archives by Charlotte Hopkins
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
Women and Art in London
Find out more
Learn about women producing and publishing art in London during the 1600s - 1800s.
Long read
The fight that never was
Jack Johnson versus 'Bombardier' Billy Wells
Archives Officer Guy Baker tells the story of a boxing match that didn't take place - between Heavyweight champion of the world Jack Johnson and 'Bombardier' Billy Wells - and shows how parts of that story can be traced in records held at The London Archives.
Exhibition
Armoured Cars
Exhibition highlights
Highlighting some research in connection with our London in the Second World War Exhibition - here we explore photographs of armoured cars that were produced for the Home Guard.
Research Guide
Theatres and Music Hall records in London
Research Guide
Discover sources for researching theatres and music halls in London
Article
The Peabody Trust
Find out more
Find out more about the Peabody Trust and their housing estates in London within the collections held at The London Archives.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