Inside MI5: A rare peek into the UK’s most secretive agency and what they actually do

If you’ve ever been curious about Britain’s real-life spy world, here’s your chance to dive into it. For the first time in history, the shadowy operations of MI5 are being brought into the public eye through a landmark exhibition: MI5: Official Secrets.Hosted by The National Archives, this exhibition is the result of an unprecedented collaboration with the UK’s domestic intelligence agency. From decoding World War II messages to tracking Cold War spies and tackling modern-day terrorism, this showcase spans 115 years of real espionage — and it’s loaded with gadgets, files, and stories straight out of an intelligence thriller. For more information, visit: The National Archives

Real spies, real stories

The exhibition opens a rare window into MI5’s covert world through original files, surveillance gear, and never-before-seen photographs.

You’ll find everything from pocket-sized spy cameras to handwritten intelligence reports. For the first time ever, visitors get to see how the agency worked in the shadows — and sometimes even in plain sight.

Here are some reasons to plan a visit to MI5.

A message about dentistry that helped win a war

One of the more peculiar highlights? A strange telegram about dental work that actually shaped the outcome of D-Day. During World War II, MI5 operated a complex network of double agents. Among them was Elvira Chaudoir, codenamed Agent BRONX.

Her seemingly odd message — “Send fifty pounds quickly. I need it for my dentist” — was actually a coded directive to mislead the Nazis about Allied invasion plans. Result? German troops were deployed away from Normandy, helping the Allies gain the upper hand.

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The confession of a soviet spy

The exhibition also lets you step into the room where Anthony Blunt, once a trusted art advisor to the Queen, confessed to spying for the Soviets. A detailed reconstruction of his flat at 20 Portman Square in London sets the scene.

Alongside it are official files, including one revealing Queen Elizabeth II’s reaction to the betrayal, released by MI5 only this year.

MI5’s first spy camera

Spies and gadgets go hand-in-hand, and MI5’s very first camera is now finally on display. It’s a compact Houghton Ensignette, purchased in the early 1900s by William Melville (code name: “M”), shortly after the agency was established in 1909. The very document that established the agency is also featured, displayed proudly near the tiny camera that captured early surveillance work. Read more: Premanand Ji Maharaj Darshan booking guide: Online appointment, token price, and all key details

Get your hands on real spy files

One of the exhibition’s coolest features lets you play analyst yourself. Visitors can browse through replicas of declassified MI5 files, which have been publicly available since 1997. Flip through surveillance reports, photographs, interrogation transcripts, and personal letters once deemed highly classified.

From WWI German spies working out of London barbershops to the Kroger couple,Soviet agents posing as a suburban duo in Ruislip, this section reads like a binge-worthy spy series.

Spies in the modern age

The exhibit doesn’t just linger in the past. It also addresses modern espionage and terrorism. One video features former PM Theresa May, recounting how she was briefed on the 2018 Skripal poisoning, a nerve agent attack in Salisbury that shocked the world. It was the first known chemical weapon attack in Europe since WWII and confirmed that modern spycraft is just as dangerous as its Cold War counterpart.Visitors can also catch exclusive interviews with MI5’s current Director General, Sir Ken McCallum, and official historian Christopher Andrew, who had rare access to the agency’s archives.

Planning your visit? Here’s what to know

The exhibition is hosted at The National Archives in Kew, LondonIt can get crowded on weekends, so early weekday visits are ideal. Here are the timings:Monday: CLOSEDTuesday: 09:00 to 19:00Wednesday: 09:00 to 17:00Thursday: 09:00 to 19:00Friday: 09:00 to 17:00Saturday: 09:00 to 18:00Sunday: 10:00 to 16:00Whether you’re a history buff, a true crime fan, or just want to know what real-life espionage looks like beyond Hollywood, MI5: Official Secrets is your chance to walk through 100+ years of spycraft, no clearance required.