History of the Building

The National Audit Office acquired 157-197 Buckingham Palace Road in 1984: the first move from its headquarters on the Embankment since 1902. The building was purchased from British Airways on a 127 year lease at a cost of £11 million. Sir Bernard Weatherill, the Speaker of the House of Commons, officially opened the new NAO headquarters on 28 November 1986. The building, originally built by Imperial Airways, was opened to the public on 5 June 1939.

On one side of the building coaches took passengers to Croydon airport for flights to the continent and at the back of the building passengers could step directly onto platform 17 (now platform 19) of Victoria Station to take the ‘Empire Special’ train to Southampton. From there they would take flying boat services to Egypt, Central and South Africa, India, the Far East and Australia. Marking the occasion of the first journey to Southampton, the stationmaster of Victoria appeared in a top hat, and a morning coat with a red carnation.

On 1 April 1940 Imperial Airways was merged with British Airways and officially became British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC). Extensions to the building were added in the 50s and 60s, although by then the coaches were taking passengers to Heathrow.

With improved access to Heathrow, including a direct link to the Piccadilly line in 1977, there was less need for a Terminal in the centre of the city and the building was put up for sale in the early 80s.

About the NAO

The NAO is the UK’s independent public spending watchdog. We support Parliament in holding government to account and we help improve public services through our high-quality audits. We are independent of government and the civil service.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), Gareth Davies, leads the NAO. He is an officer of the House of Commons with statutory authority to audit and report on the financial accounts of all government departments and other public bodies and examine and report on the value for money of how public money has been spent.

Our work helps Parliament’s scrutiny of government, achieves a positive financial impact and makes a difference to people’s lives.

We support the work of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). It uses our reports to hold evidence sessions focused on public spending and scrutinising the implementation of government policy.

We report on issues that matter to people, such as childcare and the condition of school buildings, rail travel and mobile connectivity and progress in achieving net zero.

Information for visitors

This beautiful Art Deco building has a fascinating history as an air terminal. Come and visit when we open to the public on Saturday 21 September (11am-4pm). This is a rare opportunity to have a look around our building.

There will be stands with historical displays and an information booklet will be available for a donation to a local charity. Dr Henry Midgley, an expert in public sector audit, will give a talk at 1.30pm about the NAO. Please book a space through the festival ticketing system.

Tours of the building will take place throughout the day on a first-come first-served basis. There may be waiting times as tours will be conducted by order of arrival. Bag searches may also be in operation.

The tour involves the use of stairs (up one level and down seven levels) and the use of lifts. If you have any access requirements please email enquiries@nao.org.uk in advance so you can be booked onto a suitable accessible tour.