Visitor Information

Please Note:
Due to essential building work in the archive store it will not be possible to produce original documents on Thursday 10th and Saturday 12th May. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Opening hours:

• Monday: 10am to 7pm
• Tuesday and Wednesday: 9am to 7pm
• Thursday: 9am to 5pm
• Friday: Closed
• Saturday: 10am to 3pm

HOW TO GET TO THE COLLECTION

Portsmouth History Centre is on the second floor of Portsmouth Central Library. Access to the searchroom is by a flight of stairs, or a lift. The building is fully accessible to wheelchair users.

Directions by Rail

The collection is easy to reach by train from Portsmouth & Southsea Station. Exit the station building to the left, through the taxi rank and across the road to Guildhall Square - the library is at the far left, past the Civic Offices.

Directions by Bus

The following services make the Library easily accessible:

The The 1C, 23 and 40 stop in Commercial Road South. The Library is five minutes' walk from the bus stop. The 17, 18 and 21 all stop in Edinburgh Road, which is just around the corner from Commercial Road.

For additional help with directions please telephone 023 9268 8046

Directions by Car
Multimap provides the location of the library and allows drivers to create directions for travel.

Catering

A selection of food, hot meals, sandwiches, cakes, snacks and drinks is available in the cafe on the third floor of the Central Library.

Toilets

Toilets are available on the second floor of the Central Library, alongside Portsmouth History Centre.

Contacting Portsmouth History Centre

Please see our Enquiries page (click here) for details of how to contact us.