Plan Your Visit
Our Research Hub encompasses our library, archive, and computers with access to online subscription sites. We're open to all members and to non-members for £20 for a day pass. You are welcome to visit at any time during our opening hours; however, not all of our collections are kept on-site, so to guarantee access to the material you need or to reserve a computer, please book in advance.
All collection items need to be ordered at least one week prior to your visit. For instructions on how to order and the ordering form, please use the link below.
Book your visit now
To get the most out of your visit, please read through our visitor checklist.
If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone before you visit us, please don't hesitate to drop us an email or give us a call. We look forward to giving you a warm, friendly welcome and supporting you in your research.
Video Tours
See inside our Research Hub and Library with a Quick Welcome video with Natalie and Rebecca. Or dive in for an In-Depth Tour with Else Churchill.
How to find us
National Rail
Our nearest national rail station is King’s Cross St. Pancras. From here, you can either get on the Northern Line, southbound to Angel, or take the 205/214 bus to Windsor Terrace.
Underground
Angel and Old Street stations are both a 10-15 minute walk from our premises. Alternatively, you can get the 214/205/394/43 bus from Angel or the 205/214/43 bus from Old Street. Get off at Windsor Terrace.
Bus
Our nearest bus stop is Windsor Terrace for the 43/205/214/394. It is then a 5-minute walk to the premises.
Walking
From Old Street tube station (nearest): use exit 4, follow the green stripe on the pavement which brings you up to Moorfields Eye Hospital. Then continue along City Road passing Cayton Street, Bath Street and Mora Street (by Royal Star pub). Then, after passing Dingley Road on your left use the pedestrian crossing. Now resume the same direction along City Road. After passing Thoresby Street on your right you’ll see Texaco and McDonalds. After which, Wharf Road is a right turn before a high-rise block (Canaletto Tower). Follow Wharf Road until you see a gated archway (with 3 mounted clocks) to your right. Immediately after this is the SoG - indicated by purple flags and a ‘Wharf 2 Studios’ sign.
From Angel tube station: exit onto Islington High Street and turn left. After a brief walk you reach a crossroads with The Angel pub opposite on the right. Turn left into City Road. Passing Torrents Street, Colebrook Row, etc., on your left. After about 5 minutes’ walk you will pass under a green sign (near Fitness First) pointing straight on for ‘Ring road’ and ‘Shoreditch A501’. Continue straight on - passing Nelson Terrace, Oakley Crescent, Remmington Street and Haverstock Street on the left. Further along you reach a crossroads (with Graham Street on the left). Across it looms a tall, modern-looking block (Canaletto Tower). Immediately after this turn left into Wharf Road. Follow Wharf Road until you see a gated archway (with 3 mounted clocks) to your right. Immediately after this is the SoG - indicated by purple flags and a ‘Wharf 2 Studios’ sign.
Group Tours and Room Hire
We offer group tours of our Research Hub as well as room hire for meetings, lectures, and gatherings. You'll find all the information you need on the Group Tours and Room Hire page.
More Information
Opening Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:30am - 4:00pm
Thursday: 10:30am - 4:00pm
Friday: 10:30am - 4:00pm
2nd & 4th Saturday of the month: 10:30am - 4:00pm
Festive Season Opening Hours
Closing for Christmas - 4pm Friday 20 December
Reopening - 10.30am Thursday 2 January 2025
Last day for volunteers - Tuesday 10 December
Volunteers resume - Tuesday 7 January 2025
Due to the Christmas closure we will not be ordering collection items from our offsite store for visits from 18 December - but supply will resume for visits from 8 January. If you will require collection items for a library visit during this period, please get your Collections Order Form in by 6 December and we can order in advance.
Our Address:
Our Library and Collections
The SoG holds a wide range of books, documents, and other archival material, from Apprenticeship records to Wills and more. Whether you are researching your genealogy, the homes of your ancestors, or undertaking a historical study, it's worth investigating our collections. For more information, including detailed research guides on our holdings, please see our library page.
Join us
As a member, you can make the most of our resources, access our experts, and find a welcoming community of people interested in family history and genealogy.
We all have roots. Let’s find them together.
