Local History - Visitor Information
Reading Room access to the archives and library
Visit us to research the history of Tower Hamlets. Most books and documents are available to consult as hardcopy originals. Many items have no digital access copy.
You are welcome to drop in and order items during Reading Room opening hours. We are open during lunchtimes - busier times are 12-2pm. We look forward to seeing you.
Planning your first visit to our Reading Room? Please complete our online registration form.
Christmas and New Year: Our last day of opening in 2024 will be Saturday 21 December 10am-5pm. We will then be closed for the Christmas period and re-open on Thursday 2 January 2025 at 10am. We will also be open on Saturday 4 January 2025 10am-5pm.
Annual two-week closure 2025: we will be closed to visitors between Monday 24 February and Friday 7 March 2025. Staff will be carrying out annual stocktaking and work on our collections.
You can still access online resources during these times.
Reading Room opening hours
- Tuesday and Wednesday 10am – 4.30pm
- Thursday 10am – 7pm
- 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, 10am – 5pm
Saturday opening dates October 2024-February 2025:
5 October 2024
19 October
2 November
16 November
7 December
21 December
4 January 2025
18 January
1 February
15 February
| Monday | CLOSED |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Wednesday | 10am – 4.30pm |
| Thursday | 10am – 7pm |
| Friday | CLOSED |
| Saturday | 10am – 5pm (1st and 3rd Saturday of the month) |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
Onsite exhibition opening times
- Check our Current Exhibition page and What's On page for events
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am – 5pm. On Monday and Friday lunchtimes, the exhibition will be closed for lunch between 1 - 2pm
- Thursday 10am – 7pm
- 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, 10am – 5pm
Keep updated on changes to our services, subscribe to our newsletter.
Accessing collections in our Reading Room
You can order items described on our online catalogue during your visit. No appointment or pre-order is necessary.
If you are travelling to us as a larger group contact us in advance. Staff will be happy to discuss your visit and reserve table space.
What we need from you
Plan your research visit:
- Explore our research guides and collections catalogue to get a head start. These will help you identify items that you want to look at. If you’re not sure what to choose, email us the details of your query. We will help you identify which material will be most useful. Provide reference numbers for the items you would like to see when you get here.
- Email us your query. Our inbox is monitored Monday-Friday.
- Phone 020 7364 1290 - answered during our Reading Room opening times. The phone is not answered after 15 minutes before the Reading Room closes.
- New user? Please complete our online registration form. Bring your proof of permanent address on your visit.
Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives was awarded Accreditation in March 2018. Accreditation is the UK standard for archive services.
Copying and reproduction services
Explore our services for details on supply and use of images from the collections including fees.
Shop
We stock a wide range of excellent books, attractive maps and postcards for sale. You can buy these onsite during your visit or order them via post.
How to find us
25, 205
Stepney GreenMile EndTravel
Local underground and National Rail stations are open and bus services are running.
5 minutes walk from Stepney Green tube station and 10 minutes walk from Mile End tube station.
Bus Routes: 25 and 205 along Mile End Road
There are limited pay and display parking spaces in surrounding roads as well as parking spaces for Tower Hamlets resident's permit holders.
Disabled access
Our building has a ramp and lift and is accessible to wheelchair users.