Cambridgeshire Archives holds archives and other information sources relating to the former administrative areas of Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely (that's the present-day districts of East Cambridgeshire, South Cambridgeshire, Fenland, and the City of Cambridge).
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The office also has a library of national and local history publications, to help research.
Our helpful staff are always on hand to offer advice, process document requests and guide you through the lists and indexes to help you find what you are looking for.
Appointments
Appointments are not always necessary but are strongly advised, especially for those wishing to consult maps or use microfilm and fiche.
Opening times
Tuesday–Thursday: 09.00 – 17.15*
Friday: 09.00 – 16.15
Closed at lunchtimes: 12.45 – 13.45
Closed all day Monday.
* On Tuesdays, the office has extended opening until 21.00 by prior appointment only. Please contact us by 2.00 pm that afternoon to order any records you require for the evening.
A Research Service is available for anyone who is unable to visit in person.
How to find us
Cambridgeshire Archives is located on the ground floor of Shire Hall, Castle Hill, Cambridge, CB3 0AP on the A1307, one mile north of the city centre and two miles from the railway station.
Getting here:
There are currently five Park & Ride sites around Cambridge at Babraham Road, Cowley Road, Madingley Road, Trumpington Road and Newmarket Road. Bus services run frequently from the railway station to and from the city centre as well as between the city centre and Shire Hall.
Parking
There is limited parking in the visitors car park at Shire Hall. If this is full then the car park attendant will advise you of alternative parking arrangements.
Disabled access
There are steps to the main entrance of Shire
Hall but ramped access is available through
the Octagon entrance. We advise wheelchair
users to contact us in advance so we can
advise on parking and reserve you a suitable
table.
On arrival
Visitors should report to the main reception desk where lockers are provided for all bags. Plastic wallets are available if you wish to bring any smaller personal possessions (purses, keys etc.) into the searchroom.
CARN tickets
The office is a member of the County Archive Research Network (CARN) and all users of the search room are required to have a valid CARN readers ticket. These can be issued free of charge as long as you provide official proof of name & address (such as a driver's licence, bank or pension book, gas bill, etc.).
Refreshments
There are various pubs serving food close by and a wider range of eating places in the town centre about 10 minutes walk away. Visitors are also welcome to use the facilities at the Bailey Rooms, at the far northern end of the Shire Hall site.
Please note that Cambridgeshire Archives is currently unable to accept deposits or donations of original records. For more information, please follow the link in the right-hand column to "Acquisitions policy."