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The Borthwick Institute for Archives is one of the biggest archive repositories outside
of London.
It opened to the public in January 2005 and is found next to the JB Morrell library, on
the University of York's Heslington West campus.
It houses a huge number of archives, from medieval to modern.
Key themes include church and society in Northern England, which are documented in wills, parish
registers and church court proceedings...
...the development of the city of York, including the chocolate manufacturers, Rowntree's and
Terry's...
...and in the Samuel Storey writing and performance collection, the works of nationally and internationally
acclaimed playwrights, screenwriters and comedy writers, including Sir Alan Ayckbourn, Charles
Wood and Julia Pascal.
Travelling to the Borthwick is easy, as is finding it once you're on campus.
The number 4 and 44 buses depart from York railway station and take 20 minutes to get
to the Heslington campus.
Get off at the Morrell stop on University Road, under the bridge.
You can take the stairs from the bus stop,
or you can cross the road and then re-cross it using the bridge.
The university library and archives are in the big building straight ahead of you.
If you're planning to travel by car, you'll find directions via the Borthwick website.
The closest car parks are campus central, and campus north. Campus south car park is
a short walk away, but often has free spaces when the others don't.
All of these car parks are pay and display.
From campus central, you need to make your way to the library bridge, which crosses University
Road. You can access the bridge via the ramp, or by using the lift.
From campus north, follow the signs down the side of the Harry Fairhurst building, to the
main library entrance.
From campus south, you'll need to follow the wayfinders. These will take you past other
buildings before showing directions to the library.
Keep following the path until you reach the main library entrance.
For users with a mobility impairment, we recommend using the campus central car park, where there
is a lift to take you up to the library bridge...
...or campus north, where there is a route suitable for wheelchair users around the Harry
Fairhurst building.
There are two parking spaces behind the Borthwick for registered disabled users, where a permit
needs to be displayed.
If you would like to talk about reserving a space for your visit, please contact the
Borthwick team directly.
The Borthwick shares its entrance with the main university library. Keep to your right
in the main library entrance, then go up the stairs.
Alternatively, you can use the lift at the far end of the corridor.
The archive search room reception is on your right.
Please introduce yourself to a member of staff when you arrive.
The Borthwick's archive search room is open Monday to Friday, from 9:15 am to 4:45 pm.
Staff are on hand during these times to assist you.
Appointments are not essential, but we do advise booking if you want a guaranteed space.
Occasionally we close for meetings, so it is a good idea to follow us on Twitter, or
keep a close eye on our news page, which you'll find linked in the information below.
We recommend that you bring a jumper when you visit, as the search room temperature
is set for the protection of the archive documents.
You may bring a laptop, pencil and loose note paper in with you, but all other belongings
must be stored in lockers. Again, this is for the preservation of the archives.
The microform room is open seven days a week, until 10 pm. Here you'll find access to parish
registers, wills and marriage bonds.
The room is not staffed at the weekends or evenings, so during these times you'll have
to use the separate entrance, next to the main one.