City of Westminster Archives Centre

City of Westminster Archives Centre holds many resources relating to family, community, local and business history.

These resources include bibliographic records, books, diaries, letters, manuscripts, maps and plans, digital images of photographs, newspapers and many other materials.  

Most resources held by the Office cover the Westminster Area including the former Metropolitan boroughs of Marylebone and Paddington. 

The aims of the Office are to share and preserve the history of Westminster and to help to promote pride in the area for current and future generations.

The Office does, however, also offer access to many online resources and books.

You will find a document of use whatever subject you are interested in, whether you are researching your family history, conducting research for a school, college or university assignment, studying the history of a house or are interested in local history.

The knowledgeable and helpful staff are always on hand to offer advice and assistance if required.

Information about City of Westminster Archives Centre

Collections

Information regarding their collections is available on their Home Page.  You can also peruse their online catalogue.  Their collections include:

• Books
• Census returns
• Directories
• Electoral registers
• Local government records
• Maps
• Newspapers
• Parish registers

Opening Hours

Further information regarding their opening hours is also available.

Location and Directions

The closest railway station to the Archive is Victoria, with St James’s Park (District and Circle lines), Victoria (Victoria line) and Westminster (Jubilee line) the nearest London underground stations.  

Buses 11, 24 and 211 along Victoria Street stop near to the Office, as does bus 88 along Great Smith Street and bus 507 along Horseferry Road.

Appointments

You do not need to make an appointment to visit the Archive, but are asked to bring your library card with you on each visit so you can access their computers.  

You cannot order documents in advance, but staff can retrieve items from the strong room within a relatively short space of time, with archives being produced until 30 minutes before closure.  

It is prudent, however, to check the documents you wish to consult are available before visiting the Archive, especially if you are travelling some distance.

Accessibility

The building is completely accessible, with lifts available to convey customers to the search room located on the 5th floor.  They also have fully accessible toilet facilities, which are situated on the ground floor.  

Registered assistance dogs are welcome and there is an induction loop in the meeting room.

Research Service

They offer a research service for anyone unable to visit in person.  

Record Office Shop

A shop is available on the ground floor, which sells local and family history material. Publications available for sale include:

• Historical Maps including reprints of Ordnance Survey Maps
• Old Parish Maps by John Strype from ‘Survey of London’ by John Stow, published in 1755

Readers’ Tickets and Library Cards

All visitors to the Office are asked to become members of the Westminster Libraries and Archives.  For more information and identification required please visit their How do I Join? page.

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Further information about London Record Offices can be found by going to my pages regarding Guildhall Library and London Metropolitan Archives.