How To Visit The Parliamentary Archives
As well as visiting the Houses of Parliament for tours of the building you can also visit the Parliamentary Archives for research purposes. Visits are only permitted by appointment but no special letters of introduction are required.
Victoria Tower
The Victoria Tower houses the Parliamentary Archives and is at the other end of the building to Big Ben/the Clock Tower. It is actually 2 meters higher than Big Ben reaching up to 395 feet to top of flagpole.
The Victoria Tower has 14 floors to the roof and 12 floors of storage. There are 5.5 miles of shelving and you would have to climb 553 wrought iron steps to reach the fire break.
The fire break is important as in 1834 a huge fire destroyed most of the House of Commons records stored here. The House of Lords records were saved as they were stored across the road in Jewel Tower.
What's in the Parliamentary Archives?
In total there are several million historical records held here; the oldest is from 1497. The type of records you can find here include:
You can search the Parliamentary Archives catalogue online. It's called Portcullis.
Further Information
The Parliamentary Archives are open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm and you need to give at least two working days' notice to book to visit. It is best to search Portcullis online and then send an email request detailing the records you wish to see.
I was lucky enough to visit one of the record stores on a private tour of the building and that one room contained 64,000 original Acts of Parliament stored as large rolls of sheep skin vellum parchment. In case you're interested, the room has to be kept at 16C with 55% humidity. Each Act has a label which includes the order the Act was passed, the session, and the reigning monarch. There was a time when every divorce needed an Act of Parliament so you can soon start to see why there are so many. This room has been described as "the most important room in history" and is a true wonder to behold.
You can find out more about visiting the Parliamentary Archives on the official website.
Victoria Tower
The Victoria Tower houses the Parliamentary Archives and is at the other end of the building to Big Ben/the Clock Tower. It is actually 2 meters higher than Big Ben reaching up to 395 feet to top of flagpole.
The Victoria Tower has 14 floors to the roof and 12 floors of storage. There are 5.5 miles of shelving and you would have to climb 553 wrought iron steps to reach the fire break.
The fire break is important as in 1834 a huge fire destroyed most of the House of Commons records stored here. The House of Lords records were saved as they were stored across the road in Jewel Tower.
What's in the Parliamentary Archives?
In total there are several million historical records held here; the oldest is from 1497. The type of records you can find here include:
- Records of the House of Lords and House of Commons
- Other Parliamentary Collections
- Private Papers
- Palace of Westminster Records
- Family History Records
- Photographic Sources
You can search the Parliamentary Archives catalogue online. It's called Portcullis.
Further Information
The Parliamentary Archives are open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm and you need to give at least two working days' notice to book to visit. It is best to search Portcullis online and then send an email request detailing the records you wish to see.
I was lucky enough to visit one of the record stores on a private tour of the building and that one room contained 64,000 original Acts of Parliament stored as large rolls of sheep skin vellum parchment. In case you're interested, the room has to be kept at 16C with 55% humidity. Each Act has a label which includes the order the Act was passed, the session, and the reigning monarch. There was a time when every divorce needed an Act of Parliament so you can soon start to see why there are so many. This room has been described as "the most important room in history" and is a true wonder to behold.
You can find out more about visiting the Parliamentary Archives on the official website.
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