The London Archives
Explore London's Story
Search the catalogue
Explore London's Story
London in the Second World War - free exhibition
Explore London's Story
Visit our free Shakespeare display - runs until 25 September 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.
What's On
The People of Providence by Tony Parker
Book Group
In July, TLA Book Group explores Tony Parker's 1983 book 'The People of Providence' uncovering the inhabitants of an ordinary South London housing estate.
Tour
Curator-led exhibition tours - July
Exhibition tour
Every month our curators will guide you through the exhibition exploring the lives of Londoners during the Second World War.
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.
What's On
Archives on Show: Shakespeare's London
Document viewing
View showcased archival material relating to the time that playwright William Shakespeare lived in London. 11 July
What's On
Archival Sonics in the Fractured City
Exploring the sounds and music frequencies of London
Join a one-off event at The London Archives, with POW (Play On Words) exploring the sounds and music frequencies of London. 12 July | 2.30pm | £10
What's On
Power Couples of the Tudor Era
Book Talk
Join us at The London Archives as author Jo Romero talks us through her book featuring influential duos that shaped history. 16 July | 5:30pm | £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
Shakespeare in London
Free display
Rarely displayed treasures relating to William Shakespeare will be on show in the Information Area. From 30 June until 25 September 2025 | Free
Exhibition
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.
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
Long read
Women and Art in London
Find out more
Learn about women producing and publishing art in London during the 1600s - 1800s.
Research Guide
Theatres and Music Hall records in London
Research Guide
Discover sources for researching theatres and music halls in London
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
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.
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.
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