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

As staffing levels in the office are reduced, we would prefer that you contact us by email:  staffordshire.record.office@staffordshire.gov.uk.

Our public telephone line (01785 278379) is currently staffed only when the searchroom is open to the public.  Please see below for further details.

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

Opening hours

Following a phased reopening, we have resumed our normal opening hours:

• Tuesdays to Fridays, 10:00am – 4:00pm
• Third Saturday of each month, 9:00am – 1:00pm

The William Salt Library, Stoke on Trent City Archives and the Lichfield History Access Point remain closed to the public and most of their services are suspended until further notice.

Please see the Coronavirus update page for further information.

You can also check our bank holiday closures.

Appointments

While social distancing measures are in place the number of research spaces in our searchroom is significantly reduced, so reservations are compulsory.  Please avoid visiting the office if you do not have an appointment.

Further details of reader registration, social distancing and hygiene measures are available through our planning a visit page.

Restrictions to document production

All documents must be ordered in advance.  Please email our public services team to discuss your requirements.  You may also find our online catalogue Gateway to the Past helpful.

Until further notice, documents held at our out-store require one week’s notice for production.  Photographs require two full working days’ notice for production from our photographic strongroom.

These restrictions will be reviewed regularly.

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 badge holders 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.