Michael Turner
Recommendation: If carrying a suitcase, do not attempt to bring it into galleries; small backpacks and handbags are normally allowed, while bulky cases must be deposited offsite. On-site cloakroom typically accepts coats and compact items only; oversized baggage may be refused.
Practical options: Use station lockers at Euston, King’s Cross or St Pancras (approximately 10–25 minute walk from Great Russell Street), or book a nearby commercial drop-off via Stasher, LuggageHero or Excess Baggage Company. Expect typical fees in a rough range of £5–£15 per item per 24 hours; some providers offer hourly rates.
Prepare items before arrival: photograph contents, attach a name tag, keep valuables in a small carry bag, lock zippers and retain receipts. Book storage online when possible to guarantee availability during peak hours.
Staff at Great Russell Street institution enforce strict bag rules: large suitcases are not permitted inside display spaces and security may redirect visitors to offsite storage. Allow extra time for bag checks and queues, especially on busy days.
Check official website or contact customer services for up-to-date policy, permitted item sizes and current opening hours and fees prior to visit. If arrival by train, consider nearest stations and walking time when choosing a drop-off point.
Store bags when visiting London institution on Great Russell Street
Use staffed cloakroom at main entrance on Great Russell Street for coats, small backpacks and parcels; oversized suitcases and sports gear usually refused.
Cloakroom hours normally mirror opening hours; last drop-off commonly 30 minutes before closing; staff issue numbered receipt for retrieval.
Do not store passports, cash, jewellery, cameras or laptops; remove valuables prior to deposit and secure remaining items with a padlock or keep important documents in a small on-person pouch.
For bulky cases use station lockers or private storage apps near Bloomsbury; typical rates range £5–£15 per day depending on size and duration; compare insurance cover and opening times before booking.
If planning a long walking day, optimise pack using best way to pack a hiking backpack and consider swapping bulky overnight case for a compact option such as one found in best designer briefcase for women.
Arrive early on peak days (weekends, school holidays) to avoid queues at cloakroom and security checkpoints.
Cloakroom location and access at Great Russell Street site
Use Great Russell Street entrance; cloakroom sits on ground floor beside information desk and shop, just off Great Court.
Opening hours follow public opening times (typically 10:00–17:00; Friday late openings often until 20:30). Staffed desk operates during opening hours; unattended storage unavailable.
Access procedure: join queue at cloakroom counter, hand over coat or small bag, receive numbered ticket for retrieval. Photo ID may be requested for high-value items; keep valuables and travel documents with visitor.
Restrictions: oversized cases, wheeled suitcases and bulky sports gear are generally refused. Staff will advise on alternative options if an item is too large for on-site storage.
Nearby paid alternatives: Excess Baggage Company at Tottenham Court Road (about 5–8 minute walk), left-baggage services at King’s Cross St Pancras and Euston, plus station lockers across central London.
Practical tips: travel light, arrive before peak hours, check official website or phone information desk for current policy, temporary closures or late-opening variations.
Which bag sizes and items are accepted or refused
Recommendation: Keep personal bags under 40 x 30 x 20 cm (handbag, small backpack, laptop sleeve) for direct access to galleries; larger items such as wheeled suitcases or bulky duffels should be deposited at cloakroom or external left-baggage provider before visiting.
Accepted for gallery access: Small backpacks under specified dimensions, laptop bags, handbags, camera bags, slim parcel boxes, folded compact umbrellas, sealed baby bottles, small food containers, medical kits (eg insulin coolers), compact phone tripods.
Refused from galleries / must be deposited: Wheeled suitcases longer than 75 cm, oversized holdalls, full-size tripods and professional camera rigs, large musical instruments (cellos, full-size guitars), bicycles, scooters, skateboards, bulky toolboxes, backpacks exceeding 55 litres, coolers, gas canisters, industrial aerosols.
Prohibited items (no deposit option available): Firearms, knives and sharp weapons, replica weapons, illegal drugs, unattended suspicious packages, large quantities of flammable liquids, open containers of hazardous chemicals, drones and motorised scooters.
Practical tips: Measure bag dimensions and weigh heavy items before arrival; remove or separate liquids above 100 ml from carry items and label fragile contents. Check official website or phone for up-to-date restrictions and any storage fees; during peak periods staff may refuse deposit of oversized or hazardous items for safety and space reasons.
Hours, peak times and storage duration
Drop bags at cloakroom during opening hours; aim to arrive before 11:00 to avoid queues and collect items at least 30 minutes before closing.
- Standard opening: 10:00–17:00 daily; Friday extended opening until 20:30.
- Cloakroom follows gallery hours; last acceptance usually 30 minutes before closing time.
- Bank holidays and special events may alter opening and cloakroom availability; check official site on day of visit.
Peak times
- Weekdays: busiest window 11:00–15:00 for central galleries and popular exhibits.
- Weekends: high visitor density throughout morning and afternoon; expect queues at cloakroom and entrances.
- School holidays: sustained peak across entire day, especially afternoons.
- Friday evenings after 18:00: noticeably quieter thanks to late opening; good slot for quicker drop-off and collection.
Storage duration and practical tips
- Storage intended for duration of visit only; items must be reclaimed before site closes.
- No overnight retention generally permitted; uncollected items after closing will be transferred to lost-property or handled according to institution policy.
- If travelling with bulky or specialist items, notify cloakroom staff on arrival; exceptions or special arrangements may be granted case-by-case.
- For needs beyond single-day storage, use commercial left-bag services near major transport hubs (examples: Stasher, LuggageHero, CityStasher). Compare price, insurance and operating hours before booking.
- Allow an extra 10–20 minutes for cloakroom queues during peak periods; collect belongings well before closing to avoid being refused at desk.
Costs, payment methods and what happens to uncollected baggage
Pay by contactless card or mobile wallet for fastest service; expect charges for oversized items while small coats and handbags are commonly stored free of charge.
Typical fees and examples
| Item type | Typical charge (per 24 hours) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small bag / handbag / backpack (under 10 kg) | Free–£6 | Often complimentary when coat check used; confirm at deposit point |
| Medium bag / cabin suitcase (10–25 kg) | £6–£10 | Rates vary by on-site or third-party service |
| Large suitcase / sports equipment (over 25 kg) | £10–£18 | Higher fee for oversized or heavy items; pre-booking sometimes available |
| Per-item extended storage (after 24 hours) | Daily fee applies | Daily rate often equals initial 24-hour charge or a reduced daily amount |
Accepted payment methods and ticketing
Contactless debit/credit (Visa, Mastercard), Apple Pay, Google Pay, and chip-and-PIN are widely accepted; cash acceptance is limited and should not be relied upon. Always request and keep a paper or electronic receipt/ticket; this document is primary proof for reclaiming stored items. Lost or damaged ticket claims usually require matching ID and a card statement when payment was by card.
If a third-party commercial left-bag operator is used (common for very large items), expect online booking, prepaid rates, and separate refund/cancellation rules from on-site cloakroom service.
Uncollected items policy: items unclaimed after 30 days are typically transferred to an official Lost Property Office; high-value objects (jewellery, electronics) may be retained up to 90 days before further action. Perishable goods are disposed of immediately. After transfer, unclaimed property may be sold, donated, or destroyed according to local authority rules; storage fees and administrative charges can be deducted from any proceeds.
To retrieve an uncollected item, contact site Lost Property desk or official Lost Property Office within stated retention period, present receipt or payment proof, provide photo ID, and pay any outstanding storage fees. If anonymity of payment prevents straightforward matching, allow extra processing time and expect requirement for secondary verification.
Alternatives nearby: left-baggage services, stations and online booking
Recommendation: Use app-based bag hosts or station storage at King’s Cross or Euston for shortest walk from Great Russell St; reserve online before arrival to guarantee a spot and skip queues.
Local operators: Stasher, Bounce and LuggageHero operate partner shops and hotel drop-offs within a 5–15 minute walk from Great Russell St; Excess Baggage Company runs staffed counters at major rail hubs (King’s Cross, Euston, Liverpool Street) with on-site service and same-day drop/drop-off options.
Booking tips: Compare per-item vs hourly pricing on booking platforms, confirm host opening hours on booking confirmation, and check included insurance limits and weight/dimension rules before payment. When availability is low, choose refundable options to retain flexibility.
Station lockers vs manned counters: Automated lockers near King’s Cross and Liverpool Street provide 24/7 access for small/medium cases; manned counters suit oversized items or multi-day storage and usually accept card payments only. For transfers by Tube, plan one short ride to mainline hubs rather than walking long distances.
Security and ID: Expect ID checks and a receipt with unique code for collection; photograph bag tag and keep booking reference in a separate place. For high-value items, prefer staffed counters that log serial numbers and offer higher declared-value cover.
Travel note for pet owners: pack suitable food ahead of visit; see best adult dog food for poor eaters.
