Visiting Surrey History Centre

We are open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and the second Saturday in the month but please keep an eye on our website or follow our social media channels for the latest updates and news.

Book your session

We recommend that you book a place to use our Heather D Hawker searchroom. Please book your session(s) by emailing shs@surreycc.gov.uk or telephoning 01483 518737 at least two working days before you plan to visit.

There are two sessions per day, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The session times are:

  • Morning session: 9.30am to 12.45pm
  • Afternoon session: 1.45pm to 5pm

Visitors can book one or both sessions per day.

We are also open on the second Saturday of the month: 9.30am to 1pm and 1.45pm to 4.15pm.

Please refer to our opening hours page for more information.

Visitors who cannot attend a booking will need to contact us by email or telephone as soon as possible and re-book a subsequent session.

Order collection items before your visit

If you wish to order original documents at least 24 hours in advance of your visit, we can have up to 10 documents per session available for you when you arrive. Please use our catalogues and indexes to identify what you need to see, take a look at our research guides, or contact us if you need any help.

Document requests by email are not processed immediately, so please telephone us if ordering within two working days of your visit.

Your visit

Please bring your Archives Card, Surrey Libraries Card or CARN ticket with you. We now require visitors looking at original documents to register for an Archives Card which is a national scheme allowing visitors to use one card to visit all participating archive services. Registration needs to be done in advance of your visit and is then completed when you arrive. Full details on how to sign up and what ID is required can be found on the Archives Card website. Your Archives Card will be valid for five years from date of issue.

If you are unable to apply for an Archives Card, you will need to bring some form of ID with address and/or signature with you on your visit to be issued a Day Pass in order look at original documents. This will only be valid for the day of your visit.

An Archives Card or Day Pass are not required for looking at library material, microfilm/microfiche or the computers, but please be prepared to apply for one should you need to look at original records at any point during your visit.

If you are over the age of 14, but unable to provide two pieces of documentation to prove your identity, you can bring a letter signed by your teacher or tutor, and identity which includes a photograph such as a passport, student card, or citizen card.

We will continue to accept CARN tickets that are in date, but it is advisable to replace an old CARN ticket with an Archives Card when you can.

  • Please bring your own pencil, notepaper or laptop with you.
  • Staff are on hand in our foyer and searchroom to provide help and advice.
  • Free Wi-Fi is available.
  • Photo permits are available for purchase if you wish to take your own photographs.

Please read our frequently asked questions for more information about reopening the History Centre and your visit.

Online resources

Files available to download

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