The London Archives
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
Help With Your Research
Explore London's Story
Find out about our RIBA Collaboration
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.
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.
By Tramway to...
A chance to see these classic tramways posters
27 March - Come along to this illustrated talk to hear about the history of this charming collection in conjunction with our current display.
Archives on Show: Tramways Posters
Document viewing
11 April - Our Archives on Show events are a chance for us to show you the sheer range of material we hold at The London Archives.
London in the Second World War
Book your exhibition ticket
Explore the experiences of Londoners during the Second World War and the effect it had on the city they knew in our free exhibition.
Curator-led Tour
London in the Second World War
Every month our curators will guide you through the exhibition exploring the lives of Londoners during the Second World War.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.
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?
City of London, a city of science
Free exhibition at the Guildhall Art Gallery
Until 27 March 2025 - discover more about Robert Hooke, Blackfriars Bridge and Charles PearsonThe London Archives Blog
Explore stories and articles about the archives and London's history in our blog.
Women and Art in London
Find out more
Learn about women producing and publishing art in London during the 1600s - 1800s.
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.
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.
'The Night Watch' by Sarah Waters
Find out more
Find out about The London Archives' book group in February 2025 where we discussed 'The Night Watch' by Sarah Waters.
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.
'The Buddha of Suburbia' by Hanif Kureishi
Find out more
Find out about The London Archives' book group in December 2024 where we discussed 'The Buddha of Suburbia' by Hanif Kureishi.
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