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Pocket park

Where to find us

And how to get here. 

Scalable (zoom in/out) map. Access is via Ruskin Avenue (pedestrians only) or Bessant Drive. The postal address is: The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU.

For where the entrances are see the Virtual tour - a guide to your visit.

Travelling by public transport

For more on planning your journey including the Transport for London journey planner visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

Tube

The nearest station is Kew Gardens (zone 3) on the District Line, Richmond branch (Richmond is in zone 4). The journey from central London takes around 40 minutes, with The National Archives just 600 metres (a 10-minute walk) from Kew Gardens station.

For more information on planning your journey by Tube visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

Bus

The R68 bus route (from Hampton Court via Richmond) terminates by the entrance to The National Archives. Other routes stopping nearby include:

All London buses are now now low-floor buses (they can go lower to the curb) and all have room for one wheelchair user and a retractable ramp. For more information and timetables on local bus services or download Transport for London´s local bus map: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/maps/buses/pdf/kewgardens-2422.pdf

Train

The nearest overground train station is Kew Gardens (it is a London Underground station too). 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 Tube details above). See a standard tube map for all the London Overground stations served in predominantly north London from Barking and Stratford to Richmond, Kew and Clapham Junction. For more information and timetables. 

Other convenient railway stations for The National Archives are Richmond and Kew Bridge, both on the mainline into London Waterloo via Clapham Junction. Trains to Richmond depart from Waterloo approximately eight times an hour, while Kew Bridge trains leave every fifteen minutes. 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 the R68 from the main entrance (Bessant Drive)).

For more information on planning your journey by train visit www.nationalrail.co.uk

Travelling by 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 www.sustrans.org/london/

Travelling by 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 8.30am to 7pm.

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).

For more information on planning your journey visit Google Maps Enter the postcode you're leaving from and your route will be presented.

Visitors with disabilities

If you have a disability please visit our page on disabled access.

 

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