General Chat

I really want to visit The National Archives at Kew, but I don't drive, so it would mean travelling to London on the train (Winchester to Waterloo I think) and then the rest of the journey would be by Underground I presume. Having never travelled on the London Underground alone before the idea is quite scary. Does anyone have any tips on how to get there or how to make this journey easier and less frightening!

Many thanks Lainey x

I think that you can go by bus. BRB

Their site gives information about public transport here -

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/visit/where.htm

Hi Luckey Lainey,the best way to get to the National Archives from Waterloo is to get the District Line tube to Kew Gardens Station and it 's about 10 minutes walk from there, very well sign posted and a very pleasant walk, The District Line is overground not quite as scary as the underground tube , which I am not over keen on.
The N.A is a beautiful building, quite imppresive, hope your search goes well.

jean

If you go to Richmond Station you can get an R 68 bus which takes you all the way to the N.A

Thank you so much for all your replies. I like the idea of the Overground train much better. I now feel a lot happier about making the journey so Thank you all.

Lainey x

You're welcome.

I go on the underground and its only a short walk from the station and signposted.take ID with you and you have to have your photo taken as well.Annie

Thank you Annie, glad you've told me that, I will look out my photo ID. Oh how I hate having my photo taken.

Lainey x

Dear Lucky Lainey

Hope you enjoy your visit to the National Archives at Kew.

A few more helpful points out of the family search books.
Before you do go, check that they hold what you want to see.

Know what you want to look for.

When you go in, pick up some info sheets about what they hold and whereabouts in the building.

Take pencils and a sharpener with you as they don't allow pens on documents.

Take two note books.

Take a transparent bag to hold you record sheets and note books as the staff don't like bags going in.

Take plenty of loose change. You will need a personal locker for handbad etc and for photocopying, and microfiche machines.

Don't forget to take plenty of water and a good pack lunch as the prices are high.

Folks are pretty friendly in London, so if you are stuck just ask the staff.

Have a safe journey and enjoy your visit.

Tell us how you get on!

Very best wishes.
x

Elizabeth,

Thank you for the tips. Very useful.

Lainey x

Hi Lainey,

It is a fab place, very modern.

You will need more than a photo ID if you want a readers ticket to view actual WW1 files etc , I took my passport and driving licence, you need at least two proofs of your address, and I had to remove all the rubbers at the top of my pencils.

If you only want to use the public area with FreeBMD, Ancestry, Micofiche etc, and the 1911 Census you won't need anything and you can keep your bag with you. The 1911 is only for one hour but when yours has finished just pop back downstairs and book another slot, there will very likely be others available as they have 50 computers dedicated to it.

I found the food quite good, much better than travelling with a sandwich on trains and keeping it until lunchtime in your bag, it wasn't too pricey I think it was less than £5.00 for a hot lunch.

The staff there are so helpful, I found it quite hard to search without asking them and also how to use the card to buy units for the printers when I went for the first time.

I also needed to be shown how to download the 1911 images to my printer card, but at 20p each it is very good value.

Enjoy.

Kind regards
Amanda