The Society holds one of the world’s pre-eminent geographical collections.

Around 2 million items strong, the Collections provide an unparalleled resource tracing 500 years of geographical discovery and research.

Generously supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and others, we are now able to:

• preserve the Collections for the benefit of future generations
• provide public access to our materials
• promote Collections-related educational programmes for schools and life-long learners.

The Society has also been awarded Designated Status for our Collections in their entirety by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).

This scheme “aims to identify and celebrate the pre-eminent collections of national and international importance held in England’s non-national museums, libraries and archives".

Click the links on the left to read about our individual collections.