Reading Room opening times

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

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 to 5pm. Closed 1pm to 2pm.

Closure dates 2025

We are closed on public holidays as well as the following dates in 2025.

• Wednesday, 12 March for staff training
• Monday, 1 December to Friday, 5 December 2025 for Media Preview

Public holidays 2025

Monday, 3 February 2025

Monday, 17 March 2025

Friday, 18 April

Monday, 21st April

Monday, 5 May 2025

Monday, 2 June 2025

Monday, 4 August 2025

Monday, 27 October 2025

Wednesday, 24 December 2025, closure at 12 noon

Thursday, 25 December to Wednesday, 31 December 2025