Protect and Survive: Britain’s Cold War Revealed is a new exhibition at The National Archives in Kew exploring the impact of the Cold War on Britain, from the corridors of power and hidden government bunkers to daily life in the home. Discover the real evidence of what happened during this turbulent era of secrets and paranoia.

Mark Dunton, Contemporary Records Specialist at The National Archives and Curator of the exhibition, said: ‘The pervasive threat of nuclear war impacted everyday life for millions of people and this thought-provoking exhibition offers a unique look into political and ideological tensions between the East and West.’

An array of original documents are on display, including political memos, spy confessions, civil defence posters and even a letter from Winston Churchill to the Queen. These documents provide visitors with a rare glimpse into the complexities of government operations during this time of infiltration and betrayal.

The exhibition runs until 9 November is accompanied by free highlights tours and a programme of high-profile events exploring the Cold War from a multitude of perspectives.

For more information see nationalarchives.gov.uk/coldwar.

National Archives, The

Kew TW9 4DU
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The National Archives is the UK government's official archive, guaranteeing public access to over 1000 years of history with records ranging from parchment and paper scrolls through to digital files and archived websites. We are also at the heart of government information policy, to ensure the survival of today???s information for the future. Collections: Archives of the British government covering over a thousand years of world history and all seven continents from Arctic explorers and Middle Eastern embassies to papal bulls and the photographic collections of Colonial administrations.