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Almost hidden, and just a stone’s throw from Kew Gardens, is The National Archives.
This curious place sits in the leafy suburb of Kew in southwest London, and has been on our list of places to visit for some time.
After seeing an ad about an MI5 exhibition, we were convinced to visit.
What are The National Archives?
The National Archives is the official archive for the UK government, holding and preserving over 1,000 years of public records to ensure they remain accessible for legal, historical and research purposes.
It’s housed in a Brutalist building, which didn’t quite make the cut as one of the best examples of Brutalist architecture in London, but is still a nice example of this kind of architecture.
The story of the Archives officially begins in 1838, when Parliament passed the Public Record Office Act to establish the Public Record Office, tasked with keeping public records safe.
A quirky yet pivotal moment in archival history dates back to a couple of years before the Public Records Act was passed.
In 1836, Sir Henry Cole, who went on to become one of the first senior assistant keepers of the Office, discovered dead rats among some documents, with one containing scraps of chewed-up papers in its stomach.
Alarmed by the threat to centuries-old records, Cole commissioned purpose-built, rodent-resistant boxes and championed the use of acid-free storage, laying the foundations for modern preservation practices.
This, along with his outspoken ambition for preservation, contributed to the establishment of the Public Records Office.
Today, you can see the original rat specimen at The National Archives, and the gift shop even sells a cuddly soft-toy rat as a playful nod to its unexpected mascot.
Almost 190 years after the Public Records Office was established, an exhibition and a sense of curiosity drew us to the National Archives, prompting us to consider the following question.
Why Would You Visit the National Archives?
We visited for the MI5 exhibition, but thought we’d make the most of our visit by exploring the rest of the building, which spans three floors on the Brutalist side of the complex.
There are three main reasons you’d visit the Archives.
The first and most obvious is to access historical records for genealogical research and historical study.
To do so, you need to book a reading room ahead of your visit, noting that the reading rooms are closed on Sundays.
Secondly, the National Archives hosts exhibitions and events, such as the MI5 exhibition.
They also have displays on the first floor, including a mock-up of the Cabinet table from Downing Street, featuring profiles of 20 UK Prime Ministers, as well as educational programmes for the public.
There’s even a replica of the Doomsday book which you can touch.
Finally, there’s a large and airy cafรฉ that serves all sorts of stuff, including tea, coffee, lunch, and sweet treats.
Although the Archives are a little off the beaten path, they are worth visiting, even if it’s just for your caffeine fix and a spot of lunch.
Visitor Information
๐ Bessant Dr, Richmond TW9 4DU
๐ท Free
๐ Open Tuesday to Sunday, with late night opening Tuesday and Thursday. Closed Mondays
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