The British Postal Museum & Archive

The entire collection of the British Postal Museum & Archive is a Designated Collection of national importance.

The archives relate to the operation, policy, development and social impact of the British Post Office from 1636 to the present day. The collection is outstanding in terms of its evidential, historical and cultural value and represents a comprehensive and complete coverage of the role the Post Office in employment history, overseas expansion, communications and community cohesion.

We are a combined Museum and Archive...an internationally important resource for social - and postal - history.

The Royal Mail Archive is open to the public 5-6 days a week. It contains records of The Post Office and Royal Mail from the seventeenth century to the present day.

The British Postal Museum Store houses objects ranging from the desk of Rowland Hill (founder of the Penny Post), to Mobile Post Office vehicles and an astounding assortment of letter boxes. The store is open to the public on various dates throughout the summer (PLEASE CALL OR SEE WEBSITE FOR DATES).

Collection details

Trade and Commerce, Toys and Hobbies, Social History, Science and Technology, Photography, Music, Literature, Land Transport, Industry, Film and Media, Design, Costume and Textiles, Aviation, Archives

Key artists and exhibits

• Penny Black
• Great Britain Stamps
• Phillips Philatelic Collection
• Letterboxes
• Postal vehicles
• Postal uniforms
• Sorting machines
• Hand stamps
• Posters
• Artwork
• Photographs
• Documentary films
• Family History sources
• Designated Collection

Collections services

• General guide to collections available
• Object identification and/or written enquiry service
• Public access available to collections information
• Specialist publications on collections available
• Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)