© IWM
The IWM Library is responsible for a unique national reference library with over 150,000 items on twentieth and twenty-first century conflict involving British and Commonwealth countries. Along with material on military units and campaign histories, we have biographies, manuals, items relating to the economic, social and cultural aspects of war, journals, newspapers, ephemera, propaganda and e-resources. As well as developing and managing the collection of printed, published and digital material, we make it available for research in the Research Room at Lambeth Road.
Research Room
The IWM Archive and Research Room is located on the 2nd floor of IWM London in Lambeth Road. Before you plan your visit please see our Getting Here page.
We provide access to a treasure trove of original documents, sound recordings, photographs, and the Museum archive records charting the causes, course and consequences of war and conflict in the 20th and 21st centuries in Britain and the Commonwealth, and illustrating the personal experiences and stories of those caught up in conflict.
Opening times
The Archive and Research Room is open three days a week to nine researchers who can order up to 10 items at a time per day.
We are keeping opening arrangements under constant review and will be making further changes as the current situation evolves.
Please note that over Christmas and New Year we will be closed on the following days: 24 to 31 December and 1 to 5 January.
The Archive and Research Room will reopen to the public on Thursday 6 January.
| Open | Close | |
Wednesdays |
10 am | 3 pm |
Thursdays |
10 am | 3 pm |
Fridays |
10 am | 3 pm |
Plan your visit
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Book your appointment and request materials
Book your appointment and place your request for material at least seven days in advance of your planned visit.
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Book your museum admission ticket
As well as making an appointment for the research room, you must book a general visitor’s ticket for the Museum.
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Read the guidelines and FAQs
We have prepared a detailed guide to visits to the IWM Archive and Research Room and a set of Frequently Asked Questions while social distancing measures are in place. Please read them ahead of your visit.
Regrettably we are unable to accept group bookings at this time. Bookings to see the War Artists’ Archive (microfilm) are now possible.
If you need further assistance, please do e-mail us at [email protected].
Digital Access to IWM Collections
Digital Access to IWM Collections
Before booking a visit to the Archive and Research Room, you are encouraged to visit Collections Online, as many items have been digitised and can be viewed online rather than in person.
Collections Online provides details about items that can be of use to your research.
Watch our video guides and tips about how to search Collections Online
