Saturday 18th January 2025 – 11:00 to 15:30
Led by Helen Hayhoe and Catherine Bardrick
This is the home of the official archive and publisher for the UK, guardians of over 1000 years of iconic national documents.
This lovely space includes reading rooms, exhibition spaces, seating areas and a cafe. Outside, there is an interesting facade, lake with a fountain, river and wild area, sculptures and even shelter under the colonnades. This is a gift for any brutalist architecture enthusiasts!
We are welcomed to paint outside and/or inside (wet materials anywhere with no carpet). There is great a seating area in the “indoor balcony” which overlooks the atrium.
The venue is accessible with plenty of toilet facilities. The cafe closes at 4pm on a Saturday.
For more information about The National Archives, please go to their website. NB if you do wish to look at documents on the day, advanced booking of the reading rooms is encouraged.
The National Archives is next door to Kew Retail Park which has several superstores. The Botanical Gardens at Kew is about a 15 minute walk away.
Key times and meeting points for the day:
11am Meet inside the Dining Room cafe – go into the main entrance and turn left. What3words ///congratulations.exact.solve
Google Maps: The National Archives, Bessant Dr, Richmond TW9 4DU. For satnav use TW94AD (Bessant Drive)
1.00 Throwdown – go upstairs to the ‘Start Here’ area on the first floor. Cross the carpeted area; our throwdown location is behind the auditorium. This will be signposted on the day.
3.30 The second throwdown is in the same location as the first
Afterwards
There isn’t a very local pub. We suggest The Tap on the Line which is at Kew Gardens Station. It isn’t huge but likely to be the most convenient and has a terrace with blankets.
Practical information
Location
There is a comprehensive guide to finding the location on The National Archives website.
Travel
By public transport
- Kew Gardens Station (District line, London Overgorund) – about 10 minute walk
- Kew Bridge Station (main line) – about 20 minutes walk. NB there may well be a Brentford football match that may affect crowds and exits etc.
- Buses R68 and 65 – about 10 minute walk.
Please do check your journey before you set out on Plan a journey – Transport for London or Welcome to the Official source for UK trains | National Rail if you are coming from outside London.
By car
- There is a paying car park at the venue (pay indoors).
- You can park near by for free if you have a blue badge.
By bicycle
You can cycle there along the Thames Path.
Toilets
There are plenty of toilets located inside The National Archives building.
