Overview

Staffordshire Record Office is situated in Eastgate Street, behind the William Salt Library, and can be accessed through the archway opposite the end of Tipping Street.

Contact

For enquiries please email  staffordshire.record.office@staffordshire.gov.uk.

You can also view our online catalogue Gateway to the Past.

Notice of suspension of services

Due to the current health emergency Staffordshire Record Office, the William Salt Library, Stoke on Trent City Archives and the Lichfield Histiory Access Point are closed to the public and most services are suspended until further notice.

We will continue to respond to enquiries by email or letter as far as we are able.

Please see the Coronavirus update page for further information.

You can also check our bank holiday closures.

Appointments

Please note that, to avoid a wasted journey, it is essential that you make an appointment to visit the office, ensure that we hold the records that you are interested in, and bring acceptable proof of identity and address for reader registration. Further details are given on our planning a visit page.

Our reading room is open to all members of the public without charge. An Archive Service reader's ticket is required for use of the reading room. The link below provides information on how to obtain one.

Find information on reader registration.

Restrictions to document production

Please note that documents are not produced between 12.30 p.m. and 2.00 p.m., or within 30 minutes of closing, on weekdays. On Saturdays we are unable to produce documents between 10.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m., within 30 minutes of closing, or to guarantee the production of documents on demand. In view of this, it will assist us if you can order documents in advance of a Saturday visit. 

Access and facilities

Parking arrangements

There is no public car park at the Record Office. The nearest long-stay car park is between North Walls and Queensway. Please see the  car parking information on the Stafford Borough Council website for locations of all available car parks in Stafford.

Readers with disabilities who are orange/blue badgeholders may reserve one of our two designated parking spaces. Other disabled readers may be accommodated in the adjacent councillors' car park only if circumstances permit. Please telephone ahead to check your parking arrangements in advance of your visit.

Bicycle racks

There are three bicycle racks available for users of the Record Office. Please note that the county council does not accept liability for loss or damage of bicycles. Bicycles should be secured and are left at the owner's own risk. They should be removed before the Record Office closes to avoid being locked in.

Public transport

Stafford rail station is approximately ten minutes walk from the record office. Some long-distance National Express coach routes stop at Stafford rail station.

As Stafford does not have a bus station, buses serving neighbouring towns and villages stop at different points around the town centre. The main bus companies serving Stafford are Arriva, D&G, Select and First.

Location

Staffordshire Record Office is situated in Eastgate Street, behind the William Salt Library, and can be accessed through the archway opposite the end of Tipping Street. Visitors with disabilities using the reserved car parking spaces please use the rear entrance gate in North Walls, and use the intercom to request that the car park barrier be raised.