Using the Record Office

Welcome to the County Record Office

The County Record Office provides access to a wide range of historical documents and records relating to the Isle of Wight. Whether you're conducting research, exploring local history, or accessing archived materials, our facilities are designed to support your visit. You are welcome to bring laptops, mobile devices, stationery, and cameras. The searchroom is Wi-Fi enabled, and you may take photographs of documents with a valid camera licence. To help preserve our collections, please use a pencil when taking notes—if you forget one, we’ll be happy to provide it.

This guide explains how to prepare for your visit, what to expect on arrival, and how to access the materials you need.

Visiting the County Record Office

What to Bring

You are welcome to bring:

  • Laptops and mobile devices
  • Cameras (with a purchased camera licence)
  • Wi-Fi is available in the searchroom. 
  • Pencil and notepad for taking notes. If you forget a pencil, one may be provided. (please use pencils only to protect documents)

Booking Your Visit

To manage visitor numbers, bookings are required.

You can book:

  • Morning session: 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Afternoon session: 1:30pm to 4:30pm

Only one booking can be held at a time.

Bookings are available Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm. You're welcome to contact us by email or phone.

Opening hours  

Monday: 9:30am to 4:30pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday to Friday: 9:30am to 4:30pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Please confirm availability with us, at your preferred time before visiting. Discuss your research interests in advance so staff can prepare documents where possible.

Planned closures 2025

Please check these dates before making any booking requests.

Summer bank holidays 

  • Monday 25 August 2025

How to Find Us

The County Record Office is located on Hillside, Newport, between Fairlee Road (A3054) and The Quay.

Postcode for satnav: PO30 2EB

Parking: Free (6 spaces, subject to availability). Request a permit at the enquiries desk and display it in your vehicle.

Public transport: Bus services run from Ryde, Cowes, and Yarmouth to Newport. The office is a 10-minute walk from Newport bus station.

Important: Vehicle access is only via Fairlee Road. The barrier between Hillside and the Quay is locked at all times. 

 A set of external and internal views of the Record Office building are provided on Google maps/places.

Arrival and Registration

On arrival report to the enquiries desk in the searchroom. You’ll be asked to complete a day ticket to access original documents.

If needed request a parking permit from the member of staff on duty in the searchroom. There are six parking spaces which are free to use, subject to availability. You will need to complete a parking permit from the enquiries desk and place this in your car for the benefit of parking attendants, otherwise, a fine may be issued. 

No ID is required, but your name and address will be recorded.

Using the Searchroom

To protect documents and support all users:

  1. Handle records with care – each one is unique and historically valuable.
  2. Use pencils only; do not lean on documents.
  3. No eating, drinking, or smoking.
  4. Keep noise to a minimum to respect other researchers.

Finding and requesting documents

  • use indexes and catalogues in the searchroom to find document reference numbers. 
  • fill out a request slip for each document (up to 4 at a time). 
  • submit slips to the request box at the enquiries desk. Make sure you write the documents reference number and details on a request slip, and then sign and date it. 
  • last document requests: 15 minutes before closing.
  • documents are usually produced within 10 minutes (may vary if busy).

Research guides

The Record Office have produced a series of research guides for your convenience:

Finding aids

Indexes

View a list of the indexes (PDF, 236KB), available in the searchroom, of documents held.

Catalogues

Catalogues in the searchroom include estate collections, parish records, nonconformist records, records of local government, schools, hospitals, and businesses.

Library

There is a small library of reference books and published works about both the Isle of Wight and historical sources.

Our members of staff will be happy to provide guidance on using the facilities. Ask us if you need assistance.

Consulting documents

 It is advisable to record the reference numbers of any records that you consult in case you wish to refer to them again.

Returning documents

Return all documents to the enquiries desk at least 10 minutes before closing.

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