Opening hours

Check the opening times for the Reading Room and the Genealogy Advisory Service at the National Archives.

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Reading Room opening times

  • Monday to Friday, 10am–5pm.

Genealogy Advisory Service opening times

The National Archives provides a free Genealogy Advisory Service. The service is staffed by professional genealogists and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Monday to Friday, 10am–5pm, closed 1pm–2pm.

Closure dates in 2025

We are closed on public holidays as well as the following dates:

  • Monday 3 February
  • Monday 17 March
  • Friday 18 April
  • Monday 21 April
  • Monday 5 May
  • Monday 2 June
  • Monday 4 August
  • Monday 27 October
  • Monday 1 December to Friday 5 December for the annual Media Preview
  • Wednesday 24 December closure at 12 noon
  • Thursday 25 December to Wednesday 31 December