Michael Turner
Immediate recommendation: Store large suitcases at a commercial baggage-storage provider or a railway-station baggage desk; the on-site cloakroom accepts only small backpacks, coats and parcels during public opening hours.
Booking ahead reduces risk of being turned away at peak times: popular apps and local services (example providers include Stasher and Excess Baggage-type operators) normally list locations within a 5–12 minute walk and charge roughly £4–£10 per item for a 24-hour period. Many storefront partners permit hourly drops, same-day returns and online reservations with a precise address and opening times shown on the provider page.
Practical tips: Arrive with a compact daypack if planning to view galleries; label stored items and save the receipt or QR code from the storage provider. If relying on station services, allow an extra 20–30 minutes for drop-off or collection during rush hours and schedule retrieval well before the institution’s closing time to avoid late-collection complications.
Bag storage guidance for the central London gallery
Deposit backpacks and suitcases at the on-site cloakroom immediately on arrival; large wheeled cases are not permitted inside display halls and must be stowed before touring.
On-site cloakroom
Location: main entrance on Great Russell Street. Staff accept coats, small rucksacks and medium suitcases; expect ID to be requested and a ticket issued. Opening hours usually match public opening times but the cloakroom often stops accepting items 30–60 minutes before final admission–check the venue’s official timetable on the day of visit. Security screening of stored items is standard. Keep the ticket for collection; refund/exchange policies vary if ticket lost.
Off-site and alternative storage
If the internal cloakroom is full or item size is oversized, use nearby commercial services (apps and local left-baggage shops) located near Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square and Holborn stations. Typical rates: £5–£10 per item per day for app partners (Stasher, Bounce, LuggageHero); station-operated services (Excess Baggage Company) usually charge c. £6–£12 per item per day or offer hourly lockers at c. £1–£3 per hour. Walking times from main entrance: Tottenham Court Road ~6–9 minutes, Russell Square ~8–12 minutes, Holborn ~10–14 minutes.
Practical tips: remove valuables, pharmaceuticals and travel documents before depositing; photograph packed items and keep chargers/cameras with the person touring; collect storage receipts and check opening/collection deadlines to avoid after-hours retrieval charges. If mobility equipment or medical devices require special handling, speak to front-of-house staff on arrival for exemptions or direct assistance.
On-site cloakroom: exact location, opening hours and temporary closures
Store bags at the staffed cloakroom desk located on the ground floor by the main Great Russell Street entrance; the desk sits next to the central information point and the entrance to the South Cloisters.
- Exact spot: ground floor, adjacent to the main (Great Russell Street) entrance – look for the sign “Cloakroom / Left Items” beside the information desk and lifts to the lower levels.
- Accessible route: step-free access via the main entrance lifts; wheelchair users should follow signage to the accessible cloakroom counter.
- Accepted items: coats, day bags and small suitcases; oversized freight or commercial shipments redirected to specialist services.
Opening hours and practical timing
- Normal public hours: typically 10:00–17:00 daily; last intake usually 30 minutes before closing.
- Late opening: desk remains open during scheduled late nights (commonly Fridays) until gallery closing (often 20:30) – confirm specific dates with the venue calendar.
- Collection requirement: all deposited items must be reclaimed before the desk closes; uncollected items follow venue lost-property procedures.
Temporary closures, restricted services and how to confirm status
- Planned full or partial closures occur on public holidays (24–26 December and 1 January) and during large-ticketed exhibitions or security alerts; cloakroom staff may suspend intake for capacity reasons.
- Short-notice suspensions happen during evacuation drills, high-security incidents or extreme weather; ticketed-event overflows can reduce available storage space.
- To verify availability on a specific date: check the venue’s official website, consult on-site signage on arrival or call the main enquiries line +44 (0)20 7323 8299. For third-party storage alternatives in Bloomsbury, compare Stasher, LuggageHero and local luggage services.
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Permitted items: sizes, weight limits and prohibited objects
Recommendation: Store only compact bags and personal effects – maximum external dimensions 50 × 35 × 25 cm per item; single-item mass should not exceed 15 kg. Any case with a longest side over 60 cm or weight above 23 kg will normally be refused for deposit and should be taken to a station left-baggage service.
Typical acceptable items: small backpacks, handbags, tote bags, laptop cases, camera bags, folded light coats, packaged food for immediate consumption, and compact, closed umbrellas such as the best strong mens umbrella. Collapsible umbrellas only; beach-style poles and spikes are not suitable for cloakroom storage.
Examples of commonly prohibited objects: firearms and realistic replicas; knives and sharp tools; pepper spray and other incapacitating sprays; compressed gas canisters, flares, fireworks and other pyrotechnics; highly flammable liquids and industrial chemicals; full-sized tripods and monopods over 120 cm; bicycles, large sports equipment (surfboards, skis, snowboards); electric scooters and large battery-powered mobility devices; tents, sleeping bags and camping stoves; bulky beach umbrellas and poles such as models like the best choice products beach umbrella.
Special handling and exceptions: musical instruments and large technical gear may be accepted only with prior arrangement and a signed disclaimer; medical devices and mobility aids are assessed on arrival and should be declared to staff. High-value items (jewellery, cameras, cash) should not be deposited – secure personal possession recommended. All deposited items are subject to security inspection; items that pose a safety or preservation risk will be declined.
Practical tips: label every item with contact details, fasten zips, remove external loose straps and fragile attachments, and keep the claim ticket safe until collection. For oversized suitcases or bulky holiday equipment, use dedicated left-baggage providers at major transport hubs rather than on-site cloakrooms.
Costs, accepted payment methods and maximum storage duration
Use the on-site cloakroom for free short-term storage of coats and small personal bags; large suitcases and bulky items should be deposited with nearby paid left‑bag providers.
Typical commercial rates: £6–£12 per item for the first 24 hours for standard bags; oversized items or very large cases usually cost £12–£20 per 24 hours. Some vendors offer capped weekly rates (commonly £30–£70) or multi-day discounts – check advertised tariffs before handing over items.
Accepted payment methods at most local left‑bag operators: major debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), contactless (including Apple Pay and Google Pay), and cash at selected sites. On-site cloakrooms usually operate free of charge and do not require payment methods for accepted small items.
Maximum storage duration varies: the in-house cloakroom generally permits same-day storage only (collection by closing time). Commercial providers typically allow storage from 7 up to 30 days as standard; some offer extended holds (up to 90 days) for an extra fee or by prior arrangement. Uncollected items are subject to daily storage charges and eventual disposal or auction in line with the provider’s terms.
Always obtain and retain a receipt or booking barcode, photograph any claim tag number, confirm maximum hold period and insurance/compensation limits, and compare prices across nearby services before committing to long-term storage.
Drop-off and retrieval procedure: step-by-step and required documents
Present a government-issued photo ID (passport or driving licence) and the booking or payment confirmation at the cloakroom desk before depositing bags.
Drop-off steps
1. Join the queue at the cloakroom counter and wait for staff to call forward.
2. Place each bag on the counter for visual inspection and, if requested, on the scale for weighing; declare high-value contents and sign a high-value declaration form when applicable.
3. Staff will attach numbered tags to items, record an itemised entry and issue a printed claim receipt with barcode; check that item descriptions and tag numbers match before leaving the desk.
4. Pay on-site if required (card and contactless typically accepted); retain the original receipt and photograph the barcode as a backup image stored on a mobile device.
5. For group deposits (schools, tours), present the group booking confirmation and an item list with names; staff will issue a single grouped receipt with itemised tags.
Collection and lost-ticket procedure
1. Present the original claim receipt plus the same government-issued photo ID used at drop-off for immediate release; staff will scan the barcode and return tagged items.
2. If the original receipt is misplaced, production of two different photo IDs, a signed declaration of ownership and a photograph of the items may be required; a verification period of up to 30 minutes may apply before release.
3. For authorised third-party collection, present the original claim receipt, a written authorisation signed by the depositor and photo ID for both the depositor and the collector; staff will verify identities against the deposit record.
4. Report any damage or missing contents to staff within 24 hours of collection; follow the institution’s incident form and evidence submission process as directed on receipt.
| Document | Required at drop-off | Required at collection | Accepted formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Yes | Yes | Original passport, full driving licence |
| Booking / payment confirmation | Yes (print or digital) | Recommended | Email confirmation, PDF, screenshot |
| Printed claim receipt (issued on drop-off) | Issued by staff | Yes (original preferred) | Paper receipt with barcode; phone photo accepted as backup |
| Payment card used | If payment made at drop-off | May be requested for verification | Physical card presented at desk |
| Authorisation letter (third-party) | Signed letter if depositor not present | Yes, plus IDs for both parties | Hand-signed letter or scanned PDF with signature |
| Proof of ownership (lost receipt) | Not applicable | Required if receipt lost | Photos of contents, purchase receipts, serial numbers |
Keep the original claim receipt secure until collection; a clear photograph of the barcode reduces processing time at retrieval and serves as backup evidence during lost-ticket verification.
Nearby alternatives: paid baggage storage, locker locations and how to book them
Quick recommendation
Fastest option for the Great Russell Street area: book a spot with Stasher, Bounce or LuggageHero (partner shops and hotel receptions within a 2–12 minute walk). Typical cost range: £6–£10 per item per day for Stasher/Bounce; LuggageHero often charges from ~£1 per hour with a daily cap around £8–£12. For guaranteed staffed service and larger items, use Excess Baggage at St Pancras International or Euston – expect £8–£15 per item per 24 hours.
Providers, typical locations and booking steps
Excess Baggage Company – staffed left‑storage offices at St Pancras International (Euston Road, ~10–15 minute walk from Great Russell Street) and Euston station. Booking: visit excess-baggage.co.uk for live rates and pre‑booking; on‑site card payments accepted. Best for oversized suitcases and early/late travel times.
Stasher / Bounce – network of shops, cafés and hotel receptions in Bloomsbury, Tottenham Court Road and Covent Garden. Booking: use the website or app, select date/time and nearest drop‑off point, prepay by card; confirmation QR/code provided for presentation at drop‑off. Hosts typically operate 09:00–19:00; some offer extended hours.
LuggageHero – hourly pricing model useful for short stops. Booking: reserve online, receive voucher with host address and opening hours. Insurance options are shown during booking. Many hosts clustered within a 5–15 minute walk of Great Russell Street.
Automated lockers (limited availability) – some major stations and transport hubs maintain locker banks or staffed offices; sizes usually listed as small/medium/large (large fits a 28–32″ suitcase). Verify on provider pages before travelling; coin lockers are rare in central London, so expect card or online payment only.
Booking checklist: 1) search provider by postcode or “Great Russell St” in provider app/website; 2) choose host and book specific drop‑off window; 3) pay online and save the booking code/voucher; 4) bring valid photo ID (passport or driving licence) and booking confirmation to drop‑off; 5) note host opening hours and last collection time. Proof of booking is usually required at collection.
Restrictions and tips: most hosts accept backpacks, suitcases and parcels but refuse hazardous materials and high‑value items (electronics, jewellery) without prior arrangement. Weekends and public holidays sell out faster – prebooking recommended. Keep a photo of the booking voucher and the host address; inspect tags and seals on arrival and report discrepancies immediately to the provider’s support line for a faster refund or claim.
