London Metropolitan Archives

We're London Metropolitan Archives (LMA), one of the largest historical archives in the UK. Find us in leafy Clerkenwell, close to Farringdon and Angel tubes, where we look after a vast and unique collection of manuscripts, maps, photos, books and films that tell the story of London, right back to 1067. If you haven't visited an archive before, we're a bit like a library or museum, but with millions of unique historical documents waiting to be explored; you choose what we want to see and we put the history of London in your hands. Not everyone has time to research though, so our exhibitions and events program delves into the archives and presents the fascinating history of the capital for you to enjoy. We're open to everyone, whether you’re visiting an exhibition, joining a history talk or tracing your family history. Browse our program and start discovering London's history today.

Our free exhibition Unforgotten Lives explores the lives of Londoners of African, Caribbean, Asian and indigenous heritage who lived and worked in the city between 1560 and 1860. We're open Mon, Tues, Thurs 10-4.30pm and Weds 10-7pm, and one Saturday a month. For full details, visit our webpages at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma

Upcoming (16)

Unforgotten Lives Exhibition primary image

Unforgotten Lives Exhibition

Check ticket price on event

A Visit to Conservation primary image

A Visit to Conservation

Check ticket price on event

Unforgotten Lives exhibition - Lunchtime Curator's Tour primary image

Unforgotten Lives exhibition - Lunchtime Curator's Tour

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of North London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of North London

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of East London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of East London

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of South London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of South London

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African-Caribbean Naming Practices: The Truth About What's In A Name primary image

African-Caribbean Naming Practices: The Truth About What's In A Name

Tomorrow at 13:00

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of West London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of West London

Check ticket price on event

The Ups and Downs of Life in Medieval London primary image

The Ups and Downs of Life in Medieval London

Wed, Mar 27, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

LMA Book Group - A London Child of the 1870s by Molly Hughes primary image

LMA Book Group - A London Child of the 1870s by Molly Hughes

Wed, Apr 10, 6:00 PM GMT+1

Free

Introduction to Charles Booth’s London Poverty Map - with Sarah Wise primary image

Introduction to Charles Booth’s London Poverty Map - with Sarah Wise

Sat, Apr 13, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

The Lost History of Elephant and Castle primary image

The Lost History of Elephant and Castle

Sat, Apr 13, 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Unforgotten Lives Exhibition primary image

Unforgotten Lives Exhibition

Check ticket price on event

A Visit to Conservation primary image

A Visit to Conservation

Check ticket price on event

Unforgotten Lives exhibition - Lunchtime Curator's Tour primary image

Unforgotten Lives exhibition - Lunchtime Curator's Tour

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of North London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of North London

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of East London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of East London

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of South London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of South London

Check ticket price on event

African-Caribbean Naming Practices: The Truth About What's In A Name primary image

African-Caribbean Naming Practices: The Truth About What's In A Name

Tomorrow at 13:00

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of West London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of West London

Check ticket price on event

The Ups and Downs of Life in Medieval London primary image

The Ups and Downs of Life in Medieval London

Wed, Mar 27, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

LMA Book Group - A London Child of the 1870s by Molly Hughes primary image

LMA Book Group - A London Child of the 1870s by Molly Hughes

Wed, Apr 10, 6:00 PM GMT+1

Free

Introduction to Charles Booth’s London Poverty Map - with Sarah Wise primary image

Introduction to Charles Booth’s London Poverty Map - with Sarah Wise

Sat, Apr 13, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

The Lost History of Elephant and Castle primary image

The Lost History of Elephant and Castle

Sat, Apr 13, 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Past (1.6K)

LMA Book Group - Down And Out In Paris and London by George Orwell primary image

LMA Book Group - Down And Out In Paris and London by George Orwell

Wed, Mar 13, 6:00 PM GMT

Free

Art at the Archive Artists' Workshops primary image

Art at the Archive Artists' Workshops

Sat, Mar 9, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - In Person primary image

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - In Person

Thu, Mar 7, 1:00 PM

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Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - Online primary image

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - Online

Thu, Mar 7, 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Londinium - The Roman City of London Revealed primary image

Londinium - The Roman City of London Revealed

Wed, Feb 28, 11:00 AM

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The Huntley Conference primary image

The Huntley Conference

Sat, Feb 24, 10:00 AM

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Book Launch: Inspirational Women of Lambeth primary image

Book Launch: Inspirational Women of Lambeth

Thu, Feb 22, 7:00 PM

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Imagining Unforgotten Lives: Creative Writing as Re-Memory primary image

Imagining Unforgotten Lives: Creative Writing as Re-Memory

Fri, Feb 16, 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867- Online primary image

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867- Online

Thu, Feb 15, 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867 primary image

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867

Thu, Feb 15, 1:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

LMA Book Group - A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens primary image

LMA Book Group - A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Wed, Feb 14, 6:00 PM GMT

Free

London's 2000 Year History - A New Historic Walking Tour Program primary image

London's 2000 Year History - A New Historic Walking Tour Program

Wed, Feb 14, 11:00 AM

Free

LMA Book Group - Down And Out In Paris and London by George Orwell primary image

LMA Book Group - Down And Out In Paris and London by George Orwell

Wed, Mar 13, 6:00 PM GMT

Free

Art at the Archive Artists' Workshops primary image

Art at the Archive Artists' Workshops

Sat, Mar 9, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - In Person primary image

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - In Person

Thu, Mar 7, 1:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - Online primary image

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - Online

Thu, Mar 7, 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Londinium - The Roman City of London Revealed primary image

Londinium - The Roman City of London Revealed

Wed, Feb 28, 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

The Huntley Conference primary image

The Huntley Conference

Sat, Feb 24, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Book Launch: Inspirational Women of Lambeth primary image

Book Launch: Inspirational Women of Lambeth

Thu, Feb 22, 7:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Imagining Unforgotten Lives: Creative Writing as Re-Memory primary image

Imagining Unforgotten Lives: Creative Writing as Re-Memory

Fri, Feb 16, 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867- Online primary image

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867- Online

Thu, Feb 15, 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867 primary image

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867

Thu, Feb 15, 1:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

LMA Book Group - A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens primary image

LMA Book Group - A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Wed, Feb 14, 6:00 PM GMT

Free

London's 2000 Year History - A New Historic Walking Tour Program primary image

London's 2000 Year History - A New Historic Walking Tour Program

Wed, Feb 14, 11:00 AM

Free

We're London Metropolitan Archives (LMA), one of the largest historical archives in the UK. Find us in leafy Clerkenwell, close to Farringdon and Angel tubes, where we look after a vast and unique collection of manuscripts, maps, photos, books and films that tell the story of London, right back to 1067. If you haven't visited an archive before, we're a bit like a library or museum, but with millions of unique historical documents waiting to be explored; you choose what we want to see and we put the history of London in your hands. Not everyone has time to research though, so our exhibitions and events program delves into the archives and presents the fascinating history of the capital for you to enjoy. We're open to everyone, whether you’re visiting an exhibition, joining a history talk or tracing your family history. Browse our program and start discovering London's history today.

Our free exhibition Unforgotten Lives explores the lives of Londoners of African, Caribbean, Asian and indigenous heritage who lived and worked in the city between 1560 and 1860. We're open Mon, Tues, Thurs 10-4.30pm and Weds 10-7pm, and one Saturday a month. For full details, visit our webpages at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma

Events

Unforgotten Lives Exhibition primary image

Unforgotten Lives Exhibition

Check ticket price on event

A Visit to Conservation primary image

A Visit to Conservation

Check ticket price on event

Unforgotten Lives exhibition - Lunchtime Curator's Tour primary image

Unforgotten Lives exhibition - Lunchtime Curator's Tour

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of North London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of North London

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of East London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of East London

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of South London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of South London

Check ticket price on event

African-Caribbean Naming Practices: The Truth About What's In A Name primary image

African-Caribbean Naming Practices: The Truth About What's In A Name

Tomorrow at 13:00

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of West London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of West London

Check ticket price on event

The Ups and Downs of Life in Medieval London primary image

The Ups and Downs of Life in Medieval London

Wed, Mar 27, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

LMA Book Group - A London Child of the 1870s by Molly Hughes primary image

LMA Book Group - A London Child of the 1870s by Molly Hughes

Wed, Apr 10, 6:00 PM GMT+1

Free

Introduction to Charles Booth’s London Poverty Map - with Sarah Wise primary image

Introduction to Charles Booth’s London Poverty Map - with Sarah Wise

Sat, Apr 13, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

The Lost History of Elephant and Castle primary image

The Lost History of Elephant and Castle

Sat, Apr 13, 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Unforgotten Lives Exhibition primary image

Unforgotten Lives Exhibition

Check ticket price on event

A Visit to Conservation primary image

A Visit to Conservation

Check ticket price on event

Unforgotten Lives exhibition - Lunchtime Curator's Tour primary image

Unforgotten Lives exhibition - Lunchtime Curator's Tour

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of North London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of North London

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of East London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of East London

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of South London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of South London

Check ticket price on event

African-Caribbean Naming Practices: The Truth About What's In A Name primary image

African-Caribbean Naming Practices: The Truth About What's In A Name

Tomorrow at 13:00

Check ticket price on event

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of West London primary image

'Near Ten Miles Around' - John Rocque and the growth of West London

Check ticket price on event

The Ups and Downs of Life in Medieval London primary image

The Ups and Downs of Life in Medieval London

Wed, Mar 27, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

LMA Book Group - A London Child of the 1870s by Molly Hughes primary image

LMA Book Group - A London Child of the 1870s by Molly Hughes

Wed, Apr 10, 6:00 PM GMT+1

Free

Introduction to Charles Booth’s London Poverty Map - with Sarah Wise primary image

Introduction to Charles Booth’s London Poverty Map - with Sarah Wise

Sat, Apr 13, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

The Lost History of Elephant and Castle primary image

The Lost History of Elephant and Castle

Sat, Apr 13, 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

LMA Book Group - Down And Out In Paris and London by George Orwell primary image

LMA Book Group - Down And Out In Paris and London by George Orwell

Wed, Mar 13, 6:00 PM GMT

Free

Art at the Archive Artists' Workshops primary image

Art at the Archive Artists' Workshops

Sat, Mar 9, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - In Person primary image

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - In Person

Thu, Mar 7, 1:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - Online primary image

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - Online

Thu, Mar 7, 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Londinium - The Roman City of London Revealed primary image

Londinium - The Roman City of London Revealed

Wed, Feb 28, 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

The Huntley Conference primary image

The Huntley Conference

Sat, Feb 24, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Book Launch: Inspirational Women of Lambeth primary image

Book Launch: Inspirational Women of Lambeth

Thu, Feb 22, 7:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Imagining Unforgotten Lives: Creative Writing as Re-Memory primary image

Imagining Unforgotten Lives: Creative Writing as Re-Memory

Fri, Feb 16, 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867- Online primary image

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867- Online

Thu, Feb 15, 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867 primary image

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867

Thu, Feb 15, 1:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

LMA Book Group - A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens primary image

LMA Book Group - A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Wed, Feb 14, 6:00 PM GMT

Free

London's 2000 Year History - A New Historic Walking Tour Program primary image

London's 2000 Year History - A New Historic Walking Tour Program

Wed, Feb 14, 11:00 AM

Free

LMA Book Group - Down And Out In Paris and London by George Orwell primary image

LMA Book Group - Down And Out In Paris and London by George Orwell

Wed, Mar 13, 6:00 PM GMT

Free

Art at the Archive Artists' Workshops primary image

Art at the Archive Artists' Workshops

Sat, Mar 9, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - In Person primary image

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - In Person

Thu, Mar 7, 1:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - Online primary image

Louis Wain: The Man Behind the Cats - Online

Thu, Mar 7, 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Londinium - The Roman City of London Revealed primary image

Londinium - The Roman City of London Revealed

Wed, Feb 28, 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

The Huntley Conference primary image

The Huntley Conference

Sat, Feb 24, 10:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Book Launch: Inspirational Women of Lambeth primary image

Book Launch: Inspirational Women of Lambeth

Thu, Feb 22, 7:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

Imagining Unforgotten Lives: Creative Writing as Re-Memory primary image

Imagining Unforgotten Lives: Creative Writing as Re-Memory

Fri, Feb 16, 11:00 AM

Check ticket price on event

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867- Online primary image

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867- Online

Thu, Feb 15, 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867 primary image

Arthur Abbot and the Clerkenwell Explosion of 1867

Thu, Feb 15, 1:00 PM

Check ticket price on event

LMA Book Group - A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens primary image

LMA Book Group - A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Wed, Feb 14, 6:00 PM GMT

Free

London's 2000 Year History - A New Historic Walking Tour Program primary image

London's 2000 Year History - A New Historic Walking Tour Program

Wed, Feb 14, 11:00 AM

Free