The National Archives

Join us for a day of history, stories and hands-on exploration at The National Archives.

Archives Fest will be a jam-packed day inspired by our collections and our current exhibition Revolution 250. With talks, tours, activities and performances across the site, there’s something for everyone.

Go behind the scenes with exclusive tours of our repositories and conservation studio, hear the fascinating stories that shed light on iconic documents as well as hidden gems, and get expert advice on researching your family history.

Enjoy a full programme of:
• Inspiring talks on Magna Carta, the Bag of Secrets, the Great Exhibition and wartime communications
• Hands-on history experiences, from medieval records to the Second World War
• Family-friendly crafts, creative workshops and activities
• Live performances, theatre and music
• Outdoor games and entertainment
• Delicious food trucks to keep you fuelled throughout the day

Explore the full programme and book your tickets now: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/events/archives-fest-2026/

Tours are expected to sell out, so we advise to book early.

Did you catch the new BBC series Lucy Worsley Investigates: The American Revolution last night? 📺

You may have seen Lucy examine one of the most important documents in our collection - the Stamp Act of 1765. A controversial law passed by British Parliament, the act imposed direct tax onto American Colonies for the use and possession of all paper goods – including legal papers, newspapers and even playing cards! This caused several months of protests and the act was quickly repealed on 18 March 1766, even though the road to revolution had already begun…

See the Stamp Act for yourself and learn more at our free exhibition, Revolution 250: America’s Independence Story 1763–1783, opening 24 June at The National Archives in Kew.

Find out more here: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/explore-by-topic/democracy-and-protest/causes-of-the-american-revolution/

The National Archives reference: YHL/PO/PU/1/1765/5G3n11

Image 2, 3 : The National Archives, YHL/PO/PU/1/1765/5G3n11

Image 3: The National Archives, YHL/PO/PU/1/1765/5G3n11

We did it! 🏆

Our previous major exhibition MI5: Official Secrets has won Temporary or Touring Exhibition of the Year at the Museums + Heritage Awards.

Our Chief Executive Saul Nassé expressed his delight and gratitude, saying that ‘The award is not only recognition of a very successful collaboration between The National Archives and MI5, but also proof that archives inspire, educate and entertain.’

From double agents to Cold War secrets, you explored it all with us, all 55,000 of you!

A huge thanks to everyone who visited, and to our brilliant partners at MI5.

Read the full news story here: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/the-national-archives-wins-museums-heritage-award/

Image Credit: Hayley Bray

HMS Charybdis

What can a ship’s surgeon’s journal tell us about international politics?

In 1875, a Royal Navy vessel sailed into the Gulf of Siam (present-day Gulf of Thailand). On board, the ship’s surgeon kept a journal documenting daily life at sea - recording illnesses, treatments, and the routines of the crew. Within these otherwise routine entries, however, is a brief but revealing reference to a far more significant event, the arrival of a British governor on an urgent mission.

This passing mention provides insight into a moment of political tension. In Siam (present-day Thailand), a dispute between rival centres of authority had escalated, raising the possibility of wider conflict. As one individual sought refuge under British protection, a domestic struggle took on international implications, drawing in external powers and heightening the stakes of the situation.

Explore the story in our latest article:
👉 https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/stories/britains-role-in-the-front-palace-crisis

Catalogue Reference: ADM 101/191

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a moment that reshaped global history. To mark this milestone, we’re opening a new, free, major exhibition that traces the emergence of the United States of America through the records that witnessed it.

Revolution 250: America’s Independence Story 1763–1783, opening on 24 June, will feature original maps, correspondence, reports and first hand accounts spanning two decades of shifting power that changed the world. A highlight of the exhibition is a rare, original Dunlap broadside of the Declaration of Independence.

But this story is far broader than the familiar tale of Britain and the rebels. The exhibition also explores the experiences of Indigenous nations, Black Loyalists and enslaved people, revealing the human consequences of decisions made on both sides of the Atlantic.

Find out more: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/revolution-250-americas-independence-story-1763-1783/

Meet Judy, the only dog officially registered as a prisoner of war. 🐾

Born in China, Judy spent the Second World War on the Asian front with the British Navy. Her remarkable story is one of capture, survival and courage, and offers a unique tale of internment during the war. Her bravery earned the Dickin Medal, and her story lives on in our records. 🎖️

Read the full article and learn more about Judy’s extraordinary life: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/stories/judy-the-only-dog-registered-as-a-prisoner-of-war/

Important note: This story contains historical language that is now recognised as racist. We preserve original wording to help us understand the past as it was.

Following the conclusion of our Love Letters exhibition, The National Archives in Kew has reverted to Tuesday to Saturday opening until the start of our next exhibition in June.

We will also be closed on Saturday, 2 May (this upcoming Saturday) and Saturday, 23 May.

Please check our website for the latest updates before travelling: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/visit/plan-your-visit/opening-times/

We look forward to welcoming you back soon.

On this day in 1662. Queen Mary ll was born. 👑

Known for her role in The Glorious Revolution and being one half of Britain's only joint monarchy, our records reveal a more personal side to Queen Mary ll's life and reign.

Through her heartfelt love letters to William III, we learn much about the devotion that bound the King and Queen together, along with longing and fear that arose in their time apart.

Learn more about Queen Mary ll's love letters to the King: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/stories/mary-iis-love-letters-to-william-iii/

Louis Wain’s joyful, human‑like cats brought comfort to millions, yet his own life was marked by loss and declining mental health.

The National Archives holds rare examples of his copyrighted illustrations, offering a glimpse into the peak of his creative career, and the pressures that followed.

Read our online article to learn more about Lous Wain's life and work : https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/stories/louis-wain/

Did you visit our recent Love Letters exhibition, or engage with our content in any way? If so, we'd love to know your thoughts. 💌

Please complete our short online survey to let us know how you heard about the exhibition, what you particularly liked or disliked, and the kind of things you would love to see more of.

Visitor surveys help us plan for future exhibitions and events to ensure that they are the best they can be.

Click here to take the survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/R5ZQ8R/