Archive

All documents and photographs in the Collection are held in the Archives at Portsmouth Central Library.

All visits are by appointment only.

Please email lancelyngreencollection@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or phone 02392 688043. Please give at least a week's notice

Individuals or families

Visits to the research room include a short introductory session using the archive's handling collection.

Groups or schools

Although researchers are the main visitor type for the archive, we are delighted to welcome small school and/or college groups. 

An understanding of documentation and information management is extremely useful in the context of the curriculum.

A brief introduction session can be provided lasting 30min, or longer, interactive workshops are also possible.  The recommended maximum number is 20 for schools, possibly more for adult groups, flexibility being at the discretion of the Projects Officer.  Teachers/tutors must accompany their groups. Advance booking is essential.

The Arthur Conan Doyle Richard Lancelyn Green bequest offers students the opportunity:

• to explore the everyday existence of Arthur Conan Doyle during the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
• to discover the breadth of interests Conan Doyle had during his lifetime.
• to put Conan Doyle’s work into context and extend an understanding of his writing, his world and his legacy.
• to understand the vital importance of 'detective skills', ie research, observation, information management in developing abilities which will benefit pupils throughout their lives.

Individual research

We welcome visitors to access the books and archives in the collection in the Arthur Conan Doyle Research and Study Room in the Central Library in Portsmouth.

If you wish to use the archive materials, you must contact us to make an appointment, explaining what you intend to research and when you would like to visit: we will then be able to confirm your visit, and whether we hold the material you are seeking.

You can contact us at;

Arthur Conan Doyle Collection
Portsmouth History Centre
Central Library
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth
PO1 2DX

email: Lancelyngreencollection@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

telephone: +44 (0)23 9281 9311 (Helpdesk) and ask for ‘Conan Doyle Archive’.

Opening times

Please note, to view the archives please email lancelyngreen@portsmouthcc.gov.uk, or telephone 02392 688043 in advance of your visit

Monday - 9.30am-5pm
Tuesday - 9.30am-6pm
Wednesday - 9.30am-6pm
Thursday - 9.30am-6pm
Friday - 9.30am-5pm
Saturday - 10am-3.30pm
Sunday - Closed

Directions by rail

The Collection is easy to reach by train from Portsmouth & Southsea Station. 

Exit the station building to the left, through the taxi rank and across the road to Guildhall Square - the library is at the far left, past the Civic Offices  

Directions by bus

Portsmouth Central Library is easily accessible by a number of public bus routes.

Use My Journey Portsmouth to plan your visit to Portsmouth Central Library by public transport.

Directions by car

Multimap  provides the location of the Archives and allows drivers to create directions.