Visit Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Experience the history of Hertfordshire first hand with a visit to our archives or museums.

Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies
Register Office Block
County Hall
Hertford
Hertfordshire
SG13 8EJ

Email: hals.enquiries@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Opening hours

Opening hours
Monday	Closed
Tuesday	9am – 5pm First Tuesday of every month, we're open until 7.30pm by appointment only. Contact us by 9am on the previous Friday to book.
Wednesday	9am – 5pm
Thursday	9am – 5pm
Friday	9am - 12.30pm
Saturday	10am – 2pm First and third Saturday of the month.
Sunday	Closed

We're closed on all bank holidays.

Facilities

Wheelchair access
Limited parking – alternative parking in town
Disabled parking
Toilets (disabled access)
Free lockers
Study space
Hearing loop and magnifying equipment
Heritage Shop
Rooms and spaces for hire
Vending machines – hot and cold drinks, customers are also welcome to bring their own flask and refreshments to eat in our foyer. You can't bring food, drinks or bags into the reading rooms.

View the accessibility information for this venue

If you want to discuss your accessibility requirements, please email hals.enquiries@hertfordshire.gov.uk

Photocopiers and microfilm

Photocopier

A4 and A3
Colour or black and white.

Digital microfilm readers for back and white printing, or daily permit for digital downloads to USB.

See all fees and charges.

Computers and internet

Free Wi-Fi
A4 Scanner

Computer costs:

No charge to use computers for archives or local and family history.
Other charges apply for general computer use:
- Library members – 1 hour free, then 4p a minute.
- Non library members – £2.50 for 30 minutes

Printing costs (A4 only):

20p – single page, black and white
60p – single page, colour

We have two rooms:

Archive reading room

Man searching the family history archives

For original documents including county council, parish church, family, estate and business records

Local studies library

Lionel Munby HALS meeting room

For printed and published materials, e.g. books, pamphlets, periodicals, directories, maps, photographs and sources on microfilm such as parish registers, newspapers and wills.

If you're not sure what room you need, email hals.enquiries@hertfordshire.gov.uk.

Services available

We regularly have events and displays, including getting started at HALS.

digitisation service
search service
talks, tours and workshops
professional advice (see fees and charges).

View original documents

You'll need a Hertfordshire Archives Reader's Ticket to view original archive documents at HALS. When you visit, bring proof of identity and address with a signature, such as:

driving licence
passport
recent utility bill.

If you're unable to visit and need a copy of a document or help with your research, we can help

Taking photos and digital copies

You can take your own pictures of documents when you come and visit. You can also download digital images from our microfilms to your memory stick. Ask us for a pass.

Prices for photos or digital downloads

Day pass – £10
Half day pass – £5
Annual pass – £100.

For a combined pass (allowing photos and downloads of microfilm images):

Day pass – £15
Half day pass – £7.50
Annual pass – £150.

Contact Us

Privacy notice – Please read before submitting your information >

When you submit this form you are sending your information to Hertfordshire County Council (as the Data controller) HALS (Hertfordshire County Council) will collect and use the personal information that you give us, to reply to your request, and to provide the services you ask for. This personal information may include name and email address.

This information is being processed with your consent and will not be used for marketing.

We will not share this information with a third party or use it for any other purpose.

The information that you supply to us will be kept on file for 3 years. For more information, including how to remove your data, visit our website privacy policy

Got a question about our records?
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Visit a museum

Find a museum to visit

There are over 40 museums in Hertfordshire. From the Natural History Museum in Tring to smaller museums across the county, you'll never be short of things to do.

Each of our museums hold group tours for large visits so you can get a better experience of the history when you visit.

Visit our heritage shop

Browse our shop for books, maps, CDs, conservation supplies and services we offer.

Visit the heritage shop