Local History LibraryHistory of Southwark
Southwark's range of historical experience is a story vividly told through surviving historical documents. We have gathered these documents, and other historical sources, at Southwark Local History Library. Library resources can help you find out the history of the area, your family or house, or provide help with school or college projects. The library also holds information on changes in Southwark today.
We're happy to help anybody with an interest in the Southwark area. You don't need to be a member of a Southwark, or any other, library. The collections have extensive finding aids and our staff will always give advice on getting the most out of the library.
You don't need to make an appointment to visit, except for group or class visits. However, we advise you to book a microfilm reader if you will need to use one.
Resources
Books and other printed published material
- Copies of most printed books on the history of the area
- Pamphlets and periodicals produced by local organisations
- An extensive run of directories
- On microfilm, local newspapers from 1856 to the present
- Press cuttings and ephemera
Illustrations
There are some 20,000 photographs and prints, a collection of slides and also of watercolours. They provide a vivid visual record of Southwark over the last 200 years. Old photographs used on these web pages can be found in the collection.
Maps
The collection contains over 600 maps, ranging from copies of 16th century London maps to the most up to date large scale ordnance survey plans.
Videos, tapes and cd roms
Films, videos and tapes reflect life in the borough from the 1920s to the present.
Family history
On CD rom is the Mormon Church's International Genealogical Index, a nationwide index to parish registers.
Archives
The core of the collection is the local government records of the area, the civil parishes and the Metropolitan Boroughs. Some of the records of the former civil parishes go back to the 16th century.
They include vestry minutes, taxation records and poor law records. We also hold copies of London County Council, and London School Board minutes. Some local organisations have also deposited their records including businesses, some non conformist churches and early schools. We also hold, on microfilm, copies of records held elsewhere, most notably census returns and parish registers.
Facilities
The library has disabled access and toilet facilities. Microfilm readers, a photocopier and a photograph copying stand, for which there is a charge, are available for public use. A sales point stocks a range of local publications. There are no refreshment facilities on site, but plenty in the surrounding area.
Getting there
Rail and tube
We are very close to Borough tube, Northern Line, about ten minutes walk from London Bridge rail station and ten minutes from Elephant and Castle tube, Bakerloo and Northern lines.
Bus
P3, 21, 35, 40, 133, 510 pass the library
Car
On street car parking is very limited. There is a NCP car park in Snowsfields.
Bike
There are cycle stands planned.
Contact us
Local history library
Tel: 020 7403 3782
Fax: 020 7403 8633
local.history.library@southwark.gov.uk
211 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1JA
Opening times: Monday and Thursday, 10am to 8pm; Tuesday and Friday, 10am to 5pm; Wednesday closed; Saturday, 10am to 1pm |