Opening hours
HoursTuesday–Sunday
Check before travelOpening times vary. Confirm the day’s hours with the venue before setting off.
← Back to the directoryPlace 04 / 16
Public space / Kew
The National Archives
Public reading rooms, research desks and a café in Kew.
Place profile / 01
Kew palette
- Noise
- Very quiet
- Wi-Fi
- Available
- Power
- At selected desks
- Spend
- Freereader registration may apply
- Best time
- Research days
The short version
The place for concentrated research rather than casual remote work. Some rooms and original documents require a reader ticket or desk booking.
- Good for
- Archival research · Reading · Deep focus
- Seating
- Reading-room desks
- Plan for
- Check room access before visiting
- Address
- Bessant Drive, Kew, Richmond TW9 4DU
Before you go
The useful details.
What is confirmed is stated plainly. Where the evidence is incomplete, we say so.
Laptop policy
Laptops welcome
Laptops are permitted in reading rooms on silent mode; room rules and reader-ticket requirements apply.
Set-up
- YesPlug sockets
- YesSeating
- YesToilets
- YesAir conditioning
- YesOutdoor seating
- YesTables
Connection & atmosphere
- Download
- Not speed-tested
- Upload
- Not speed-tested
- Noise
- Formally quiet research environment; the café and welcome spaces are more conversational.
Keep a note
for later.
Add an optional date or reminder for The National Archives.
Evidence note