Local history research enquiries

The Local History and Archive Centre holds historic materials for the London Borough of Bexley situated in Central Library, Bexleyheath.

What we do

We can help you to discover:

  • the history of the borough
  • the history of an area within the borough, for a school project or for general interest
  • local information on specific topics (for example, famous people who have lived in the borough)

Please contact us in advance of your visit, to check that we have the material you want to see. Archive material is available by appointment only.

Accessing archives

To access archives you need to be a member of Bexley Libraries. Anyone can join, you don’t have to live in Bexley and it is free. Some of our records are stored off-site, so we recommend you contact us in advance to ensure that we have the archives ready for you.

Research services

Our basic enquiry service is free for information and simple research enquiries taking no longer than 20 minutes.

For detailed research requests concerning either family or local history we charge £33.40 per hour, with a maximum of two hours' research. There is no guarantee of any results but if that is the case we will try to advise you of other possible avenues to pursue.

If you wish to request a research service please email archives@bexley.gov.uk.

Searching our online catalogues

See more about our collections and archives.

Archives and local history fees and charges

Service description Charge
Baptism £14 (no VAT)
Searching church registers for baptisms or marriages £31 (no VAT)

Service description Charge
Lunchtime Looks £2.20 (no VAT)
Onsite events £4.60 (no VAT)
Talks to Schools £60.00 (no VAT)
Talks to London Borough of Bexley organisations £63.00 (no VAT)
Talks to out-of-borough organisations £70.00 (no VAT)

Service description Charge
Research service for customers (per hour for a maximum of two hours, first 20 minutes free) £33.40 (incl. VAT)

Service description Charge
A4 print on photographic paper £8.30 (incl. VAT)
Digital file medium resolution (300dpi) £16.50 (incl. VAT)
Digital file high resolution (600dpi) £26.65 (incl. VAT)
Self-service photographic permit daily rate £7.30 (incl. VAT)
Bookeye/Scanner per electronic file/image £0.50 (incl. VAT)
Self-service photocopying A4: B&W/Colour £0.10/£0.50 (incl. VAT)
Self-service photocopying A3: B&W/Colour £0.20/£1 (incl. VAT)
Microfilm/fiche readers and computers A4 prints: B&W/Colour  £0.20/£0.75 (incl. VAT)
Microfilm/fiche readers and computers A3 prints: B&W/Colour  £0.30/£1.40 (incl. VAT)
Postage and packing for A4 prints & photocopies (UK) £2.10 (incl. VAT)
Postage and packaging for A3 prints & photocopies (UK)  £2.50 (incl. VAT)

Fees for permission to use copyright photographs and/or digital images

For commercial groups

Service description Charge
Books, periodicals, newspapers, magazines, exhibitions, exhibition catalogues,  One Country, One Language £48.50 (incl. VAT)
Books, periodicals, newspapers, magazines, exhibitions, exhibition catalogues,  World, One Language £92.50 (incl. VAT)
Merchandise, online use, interior and exterior design, advertising and covers One Country, One Language £181.00 (incl. VAT)
Merchandise, online use, interior and exterior design, advertising and covers World, One Language £215.00 (incl. VAT)

For community groups/charities

Service description Charge
Books, periodicals, newspapers, magazines, exhibitions, exhibition catalogues,  One Country, One Language £20.00 (incl. VAT)
Books, periodicals, newspapers, magazines, exhibitions, exhibition catalogues,  World, One Language £40 (incl. VAT)
Merchandise, online use, interior and exterior design, advertising and covers One Country, One Language £80 (incl. VAT)
Merchandise, online use, interior and exterior design, advertising and covers World, One Language £100 (incl. VAT)

For commercial groups

Service description Charge
TV/film flash fee (minimum 12 seconds) first use (five year rights) UK £228.00 (incl. VAT)
TV/film flash fee (minimum 12 seconds) first use (five year rights) World £310.00 (incl. VAT)
TV/film flash fee - minimum 12 seconds-  multiple transmissions) UK £265.00 (incl. VAT)
TV/film flash fee - minimum 12 seconds- multiple transmissions) World £334.00 (incl. VAT)

WWW is charged at the same rates per territory as TV

For community groups/charities

Service description Charge
TV/film flash fee (minimum 12 seconds) first use (five year rights) UK £100 (incl. VAT)
TV/film flash fee (minimum 12 seconds) first use (five year rights) World £140 (incl. VAT)
TV/film flash fee - minimum 12 seconds-  multiple transmissions) UK £120 (incl. VAT)
TV/film flash fee - minimum 12 seconds- multiple transmissions) World £150 (incl. VAT)

WWW is charged at the same rates per territory as TV

Service description Charge
Time taken to process orders for still and moving images £36.95 (incl. VAT)

Including provision of screen, projector, stand and room set-up

Service description Charge
During library opening hours - Community Groups - per hour £23.00 (incl. VAT)
During library opening hours – Commercial organisations - per hour £55.00 (incl. VAT)
Outside library opening hours - Community Groups - per hour £26.75 (incl. VAT)
Outside library opening hours – Commercial organisations - per hour £67.90 (incl. VAT)

Contact us

Bexley Local Studies and Archive Centre
Central Library
Townley Road
Bexleyheath
DA6 7HJ

Email archives@bexley.gov.uk
Telephone 020 3045 3369

Opening times

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