Visit Hampshire Record Office
Come and explore a wide variety of archives, including registers of baptisms, marriages and burials, wills and probate, electoral registers, newspapers, printed maps, tithe maps and awards, and film and sound recordings.
Before visiting, you can use the online catalogue to help you find relevant documents, films and sound recordings. Our online catalogue contains over a million entries and is a great place to start researching and learning about our archives.
Opening times
Tuesday to Thursday 9:30am to 4pm.
Book an appointment
You will need to make a booking if you want to consult more than six documents in a day
Contact Archives and Local Studies and write your name. Include:
- date and time, at least one week ahead of your visit
- whether coming alone, or with others
- your list of required documents. Search our catalogue for finding numbers.
You will also be able to order up to six more documents on the day before 12 noon Wait for confirmation of your booking before making travel arrangements. Let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel your booking.
Drop in visitors
We are open to visitors without appointment if you want to:
Afternoon visitors: please telephone 01962 846154 with your order for documents at least 24 hours in advance of a visit.
If you wish to consult more than six documents please see 'Book an appointment'.
Other visitor information
- Sign up for an Archives Card if you visit archives regularly
- Using a face covering is a personal choice
- Wash your hands thoroughly on arrival, departure and during your visit as necessary
- Bring the minimum (coats, bags) that you need; lockers are provided
- Please bring pencils and paper with you
- Wifi and power sockets for laptops are available
- Allow sufficient time at the end of your visit for documents to be checked back by staff
Search room guidelines are:
- pencils only,
- no eating or drinking,
- adherence to data protection and copyright rules
There is no provision for refreshments on site but there is a seating area for you to bring your own refreshments.
Saturdays
If you want to visit on a Saturday please Contact Archives and Local Studies to register your interest. When we have sufficient numbers we will arrange an occasional Saturday opening.
Where to find us
We are located close to Winchester railway station.
We have no parking facilities on site except for those with limited mobility. A space must be booked in advance. To reach our accessible parking, follow signs to Winchester railway station, pass the station on your left and down to a mini roundabout. Take the right turn on the roundabout which leads to a barrier. Press the intercom to speak to staff.
Car parks
There are several council car parks nearby including City Council Car Parks: Gladstone Street, Tower Street and Worthy Lane. There are also four Park and Ride car parks. The buses from all Park and Ride car parks stop outside the railway station.
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Hampshire Archives and Local Studies Sussex Street Winchester SO23 8TH
Other contact details
Telephone 01962 846154 for urgent enquiries. Our telephone lines are open Monday to Friday 10am to 12 noon and 1pm to 4pm.
Wessex Film and Sound Archive
With over 38,000 film and sound recordings, including film and tapes of local TV and radio, Wessex Film and Sound Archive allows you to see and hear history through moving images and sound recording, offering a unique insight into Hampshire’s past.
Guided tours
Interested in discovering what goes on behind the scenes at Hampshire Record Office? We offer guided tours around our unique building. Allow one of our experienced archivists to share how they preserve and provide access to Hampshire’s history. Contact us to find out more information about our behind-the-scenes tours.
Events
Why not attend one of our onsite or online workshops and events that cover a range of topics - from learning how to read old handwriting to understanding how to care for archives. Find out more about our events.