Directions to The National Archives can be found below, whether travelling by car, public transport or by cycling. The postal address is: The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU.
For our location, see our local map and a map of the wider area, or visit Streetmap.co.uk for a scalable map.
Public transport
For more on planning your journey visit tfl.gov.uk
Tube
The nearest Tube station is Kew Gardens (zone 3) on the District Line, Richmond branch. The journey from central London takes around 40 minutes. The National Archives is 600 metres (a 10-minute walk) from Kew Gardens station.
Bus
The R68 bus route (from Hampton Court via Richmond) terminates by the entrance to The National Archives. Other routes stopping nearby include:
- 65 (Ealing to Kingston via Richmond), alight on Kew Road near Victoria Gate (15-minute walk)
- 237 (Shepherd's Bush to Hounslow Heath via Chiswick), alight at Kew Bridge (20-minute walk)
- 267 (Hammersmith to Fulwell via Brentford), alight at Kew Bridge (20-minute walk)
- 391 (Fulham to Richmond via Hammersmith), alight at Sandycombe Road near Kew Gardens station (10-minute walk)
See timetables of local bus services or download Transport for London's local bus map.
Train
The nearest overground train station is Kew Gardens. It is served by the London Overground from Stratford in east London, passing through Highbury and Islington, Gospel Oak, West Hampstead and Willesden Junction. The station is a short walk from The National Archives. See London Overground timetables.
Other convenient railway stations for The National Archives are Richmond and Kew Bridge, both on the mainline into London Waterloo via Clapham Junction. Kew Bridge station is approximately a 20-minute walk from The National Archives, while Richmond station is one Tube stop away (or a 10-minute bus ride on bus R68).
For more information on planning your journey by train visit nationalrail.co.uk
Bicycle
The National Archives is located next to the Thames Path, part of the National Cycle Network. Bicycle sheds are provided, although bicycles are parked at your own risk.
For more information on planning your journey by bicycle visit sustrans.org
Car
The National Archives is half a mile south of Kew Bridge on the A205 (South Circular Road). We provide limited car parking space for free on a first-come, first-served basis. We also provide car parking spaces for disabled visitors and spaces for motorbikes. The car park is open from 08:30 to 19:00.
Car park pre-pay and booking system coming soon. For more information see our news story.
From A205 (South Circular Road), northbound
Follow signs to Kew Retail Park/The National Archives from Chalkers Corner, turning right off the A205 when signposted. Turn left into Bessant Drive before the Retail Park itself, and turn left again at the mini roundabout to access The National Archives.
From A205 (South Circular Road), southbound
Follow signs to Kew Retail Park/The National Archives from Kew Bridge, turning left off the A205 when signposted. Turn left into Bessant Drive before the Retail Park itself, and turn left again at the mini roundabout to access The National Archives.
From M25
Leave at junction 12 to join the M3 (signposted London and Richmond), follow the M3 directions (below).
Alternatively leave the M25 at junction 15 to join the M4 (signposted London and Heathrow), follow the M4 directions (below).
From M3
Follow the motorway until it ends and becomes the A316. Follow the A316 towards Central London as far as Chalkers Corner, at which point turn left at the traffic lights to join the A205. From here follow the A205 northbound directions (above).
From M4
Follow the motorway to junction 2, at which point turn off for the A4. Continue forward as far as Chiswick roundabout. Take the 4th exit here (signposted South Circular Road, Richmond) and follow the A205 southbound. From here follow the A205 southbound directions (above).
