Archives Centre visitor information

1. Visiting us

Opening hours

Last admission is 10 minutes before closing and last production of archives is 30 minutes before closing.

You do not need an appointment, however you might like to telephone first to check we have the materials you want. 

We don't take advance orders for documents but can usually produce items from the strong rooms without a long delay.

Find us

• Address: City of Westminster Archives Centre, 10 St Ann's Street, London SW1P 2DE
• Nearest railway station: Victoria
• Nearby tube stations: St James's Park (District and Circle lines), Victoria (Victoria line), Westminster (Jubilee line)
• Buses: 11, 24, 211 along Victoria Street; 88 along Great Smith Street; 507 along Horseferry Road

Contact us

• Telephone: 020 7641 5180
• archives@westminster.gov.uk

2. Using the searchroom

The searchroom is located on the 5th floor of the Archives Centre.

Visitors are asked to leave coats and bags at the ground floor reception where secure lockers and coat stands are provided. 

We ask visitors to use only pencils in the searchroom. Mobile phones are not permitted in the searchroom.

View the searchroom rules (PDF, 136KB).

Access for people with disabilities

For wheelchair users there is a steep downward gradient leading to a level entrance. The searchroom on the 5th floor can be accessed via a lift, which is suitable for use by wheelchair users and others with impaired mobility. There is level access on the ground floor to a wheelchair-accessible toilet as well as level access to the meeting room on the ground floor.

There is an induction loop in the meeting room and registered assistance dogs are welcome.

3. Services for schools

City of Westminster Archives run a number of cross-curricular history projects throughout the course of the academic year normally undertaken as an outreach service.

For more information on our education service, please contact our Archives Education and Interpretation Officer, Peter Daniel, on:

• telephone: 020 7641 5180
• pdaniel@westminster.gov.uk
• address: City of Westminster Archives Centre, 10 St Ann's Street, London SW1P 2DE

4. Policy documents

The Archives and Local Studies service exists to support 'Read Learn Connect' by:

• preserving and sharing the unique written and visual heritage of Westminster
• fostering community identity and pride for current and future generations

Please read and download our policy documents:

• access policy (PDF, 173KB)
• collections acquisition, management and development policy (PDF, 206KB) - including terms of deposit
• conservation and preservation policy (PDF, 200KB)
• education policy (PDF, 175KB)
• public task statement (PDF, 185KB)