The National Archives
Verified working Aug 3, 2026
The UK’s official gateway to historic records, exhibits, and archive guidance.
The National Archives is the UK government’s official archive and a public research destination for historical records spanning many centuries. Its site combines catalogue search, collection guides, visit planning for original documents at Kew, exhibitions, education resources, podcasts, and professional guidance for archive and records-management work.
Why it stands out
- Direct access point for the UK’s official government archive, rather than a third-party index.
- Combines online discovery with a clear pathway to viewing original records in person.
- Serves both public researchers and professional archivists or records managers.
- Includes curated exhibitions, education material, and collection stories alongside catalogue tools.
- Connected to several official UK record services, including the UK Government Web Archive and Legislation.gov.uk.
Good to know
- Viewing original documents may require advance booking and a visit to the reading rooms at Kew.
- The site notes that its current service is in beta, so some parts may still be changing.
- Its strongest coverage is the National Archives’ own holdings and related UK official records, not every historical source about the UK.
Under the radar: If you are unsure what catalogue terms to search for, start with the topic and time-period collection pages first; they can reveal record series and terminology that make later searches more precise.
Photos
Historians, genealogists, students, and legal or public-records researchers use it to locate UK archival material and understand how to access original records. Search the catalogue before planning a reading-room visit at Kew. Explore curated topics, time periods, exhibitions, and collection stories for background research. Find teaching materials and student resources tied to archival sources. Access guidance for archive-sector development, records transfer, and information management.
Catalogue search; research help; topic and period-based collection exploration; visit booking information for original documents; exhibitions and events; education resources; archive-sector and information-management guidance; blogs, podcasts, image library, and links to related official services such as the UK Government Web Archive and legislation resources.
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Similar sites elsewhere
- U.S. National Archives — archives.gov
- Library and Archives Canada — library-archives.canada.ca
- National Archives of Australia — naa.gov.au
- Archives Portal Europe — archivesportaleurope.net
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