Archives
Our archives contain nearly 500,000 documents, files, bound volumes, photographs, films and videos.
About the archives
The main holdings are located in the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds and relate mainly to:
- Royal Armouries and its collection
- Arms and armour and related subjects, including a number of collections of personal papers of well known authors and collectors
- The Royal Small Arms Factory (Enfield) and the MOD Pattern Room
- Company records, such as G.E. Lewis and Wilkinson Sword
We also have important collections relating to the:
- History of the Tower of London and its institutions at the White Tower
- Artillery and related subjects at Fort Nelson
Access to the Archives is strictly by appointment and pre-booking is essential.
Opening times
- Monday* - Thursday
- Morning: 10am to 1pm
- Afternoon: 1:30pm to 4:30pm
* Please be aware that during term time the museum is closed to general visitors on Mondays, but staff will welcome pre-booked visitors to the Archives at the main entrance.
Contact us
Archivist
Royal Armouries Museum
Armouries Drive
LEEDS
LS10 1LT
archives@armouries.org.uk
Searching the catalogue
We have a searchable online catalogue designed to enable access to all of its collections. The archives section of the catalogue is being developed and updated, and currently only a small part of the holdings can be searched.
Our archives service
- We provide facilities for researchers to access the archives at all three of our sites, as well as a record copying service at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds
- We develop temporary exhibitions based on material in the archives, and highlight items from the collections in our Stories
- We offer talks and seminars about the archives
- We work in partnership with other archives and heritage organisations in Yorkshire, Hampshire and London