The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) Archive
An overview of the UKHO Archive, accessing our archive and ordering copies of archive material.
About us
The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) Archive in Taunton, Somerset, holds over 400 years of maritime history. It is one of the most comprehensive maritime collections of its type worldwide.
Since the UKHO’s establishment in 1795, our archive has remained a valuable repository for our maritime heritage, preserving centuries of navigational and hydrographic records for future generations.
In 1962, we became a Place of Deposit under the Public Records Act 1958.
Search our records
You can find descriptions of records in our online catalogue or in our .
The catalogue does not contain information about every record in our collection, although we have an ongoing cataloguing programme. For help finding a record, please email research@ukho.gov.uk.
You can find details of our collection of ADMIRALTY charts from 1800 to 2016 in .
The National Archives’ catalogue also includes descriptions of some of our collections.
Table of online chart catalogues
| Year | How to access |
|---|---|
| 1825 | UKHO/TNA Legacy website - various catalogues |
| 1839 | UKHO/TNA Legacy website - various catalogues |
| 1849 | UKHO/TNA Legacy website - various catalogues |
| 1852, 1855 and 1857 | PDFs available on request |
| 1860 | UKHO/TNA Legacy website - various catalogues |
| 1862 | PDFs available on request |
| 1864 | Archives.org - 1864 catalogue |
| 1866 and 1868 | PDFs available on request |
| 1870 | UKHO/TNA Legacy website - various catalogues |
| 1872 and 1875 | PDFs available on request |
| 1879 | Archive.org - 1879 catalogue |
| 1880 | UKHO/TNA Legacy website - various catalogues |
| 1890 | UKHO/TNA Legacy website - various catalogues |
| 1898 | Archive.org - 1898 catalogue |
| 1900 | PDFs available on request |
| 1914 | UKHO/TNA Legacy website - various catalogues |
| 1915 (Fleet) and 1919 (Fleet) | PDFs available on request |
| 1942, 1945 (Fleet) and 1951 | PDFs available on request |
| 1967 | Archive.org - 1967 catalogue home edition |
Please email research@ukho.gov.uk to request a PDF catalogue.
Externally held records
| Record type | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrographic surveys | pre 1830 | The National Archives |
| Coastal views | 18th, 19th and early 20th century | The National Archives at Kew (TNA series ADM 344) |
| ADMIRALTY charts of Scottish waters | 1795 to 1963 | National Library of Scotland |
Modern survey data
You can find modern survey data on the ADMIRALTY Marine Data Portal.
Research information
You can find information and prices in our .
Please direct research enquires to research@ukho.gov.uk.
Visitor information
To arrange a visit to our archive for research purposes, complete an archive visit request form with the appropriate amount of notice.
| Notice required | |
|---|---|
| British nationals | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Foreign nationals | 4 to 6 weeks |
Failure to apply far enough in advance may mean we refuse a visit. Please do not make travel and hotel arrangements before we have confirmed a visit date and security clearances.
Personal access to the archive is free. We charge for reproductions of documents, any research work and handling undertaken by our staff. The last document orders are at 15:30.
Research visits are:
- by appointment only
- subject to security clearance
- open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 16:30, excluding bank holidays
Please send completed visitor request forms to research@ukho.gov.uk.
Remote research
If it is not possible for you to visit our archive in Taunton, you can conduct study remotely. Use our online catalogue or to find reference numbers, then contact research@ukho.gov.uk to order a digital or print copy.
For more information about pricing, please see our .
Employ our specialist researchers
Specialist research costs £80 per hour. We will provide you with an estimated number of hours, which will require payment in advance.
We can include preview images in the specialist research fee. Preview images are low-resolution photographs taken using a camera or tablet for preview purposes only.
Contact research@ukho.gov.uk to discuss your requirements.
Employ a record agent
You can employ a record agent to visit and research. Contact research@ukho.gov.uk to request a list of specialist record agents and discuss your requirements.
The UKHO does not endorse the work of any persons whose details are on this list.
Freedom of Information
For closed or classified records subject to Freedom of Information (FOI), we can provide up to 4 hours of research for free. Fees apply for obtaining reproduction copies within a FOI request.
Contact research@ukho.gov.uk for more information.
Buy a copy of our records
We have a high-quality studio camera and lighting system, which allows us to make reproduction copies of our records without damaging them. We can then provide reproduction copies as printed copies or as digital images.
For more information about pricing, please see our .
Please remember to add:
- administration/handling charge (£15 per order)
- postage and packing (minimum of £3 per order)
- VAT at the current rate (if applicable)
Please send completed order forms to research@ukho.gov.uk.
Copyright and licensing
Digital and printed copies of our records are subject to contract. Do not reproduce or sell copies of our records.
Please refer to our copyright and licensing section for details.
Authenticate a copy
Our experts will review, sign and stamp the copy to confirm it is a authentic copy of the original record. If you request a digital copy, it will come with a signed electronic certificate.
Information Asset Register
The UKHO Archive Information Asset Register (IAR) contributes to the government-wide IAR available through the Office of Public Sector Information.
Contact details
Tel: +44 (0)1823 483341 / 483409
Email: research@ukho.gov.uk
Last updated 23 August 2023 + show all updates
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Edited 'Archive Contents' section - new link added allowing access to UKHO archive online catalogue.
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Content structure amended from: 1. About the Archive 2. Accessing the UKHO Archive 3. Research 4. Obtaining copies of archive material 5. Archive contents 6. The UKHO Archive Information Asset Register 7. Contact details to 1. About the Archive 2. Archive contents 3. Research 4. Obtaining copies of archive material 5. Research visits to the UKHO Archive 6. The UKHO Archive IAR 7. Contact details Pricing information updated within Price Table B and new Price Table A added. Furthermore, PDF 'UKHO Archive research and reproduction services, pricing and help guide' available for download. PDF 'OCB series coverage 1800 - 2016' also now available for download.
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Information on the National Archives Discovery catalogue added.
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Change of pricing schedule.
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Admiralty charts of Scottish waters, 1795-1963 are now all online
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First published.