Can you leave luggage at national gallery

Immediate instruction: Use the on-site cloakroom for coats and medium backpacks; large suitcases and wheeled cases must be deposited before entering exhibition rooms. Cloakroom opening normally follows venue hours (commonly 10:00–18:00 on most days with at least one late opening to 21:00); allow a 20‑minute margin before closing to reclaim items.

Size and security rules: many institutions restrict carried items inside display spaces to roughly 40 x 30 x 20 cm; anything larger will be directed to the cloakroom or refused entry. Staff perform visual security checks; prohibited contents often include aerosols, flammable materials and oversized fragile objects. Keep passports, large sums of cash and high-value electronics on your person or place them in a secure paid storage option.

Costs and nearby options: the venue cloakroom may be complimentary for simple coats and small bags, but private storage apps (Bounce, Stasher, LuggageHero) operate within a short walk and typically charge from about £4–8 per item per day. Train-station baggage offices in the area (a few minutes’ walk) also accept deposits with daily fees commonly from around £6; compare opening times before planning.

Practical checklist: consult the museum’s official webpage before departure for current deposit policy and temporary restrictions; photograph and label your bag, retain the claim ticket, and collect items well before closing. For arrivals with travel-sized cases early in the day, reserve a same-day slot via a trusted private provider to avoid queuing or refusal at the entrance.

Storage policy at the Trafalgar Square art museum

Store small backpacks, handbags and coats at the on-site cloakroom; bulky suitcases and oversized trunks must be deposited off-site. Cloakroom operates during opening hours (typically 10:00–18:00 with late openings on selected evenings); allow 5–10 minutes for handover and security inspection.

Recommended off-site providers: Stasher (local shop network) – from about £6–£10 per item/day; LuggageHero – pay-by-hour model (roughly £1–£2/hour with a daily cap around £8–£12); Excess Baggage Company at major stations – typical tariff £8–£15/day for a standard case. Book online in advance during busy periods and confirm drop-off address and opening times.

What is refused at the cloakroom: oversized sports equipment, bicycles, hazardous materials, and items with strong odours. Retain the receipt issued at deposit; ID may be required for collection. Keep passports, medication and high-value electronics on the person.

Practical measures: if onward travel is scheduled the same day, use station-based storage near Charing Cross or Victoria or arrange short-term hold with a hotel. For evening collections check the provider’s latest closing time. Verify the current storage rules and any temporary restrictions via the museum’s official contact page before arrival.

Cloakroom location and opening hours at the premises

Use the cloakroom located at the Trafalgar Square entrance on the ground floor; it operates during public opening hours with last drop-off 30 minutes before closing.

Find the desk immediately to the left of the main doors, signposted “Cloakroom” and adjacent to the information desk. Step-free access available; staff at the entrance can point the way.

Typical opening pattern: 10:00–18:00 most days, with late opening until 21:00 on designated evenings (commonly Fridays). Times change for bank holidays and special events – check the venue’s official timetable on the day of a visit.

Storage rules: coats, small backpacks and hand-sized bags accepted; large suitcases, musical instrument cases and bulky parcels may be refused. Receipts issued on drop-off; the numbered ticket must be presented at collection. The cloakroom does not insure contents – valuables should remain with the holder or be deposited with a secure locker service if provided.

Practical tips: Arrive at least 15–20 minutes before closing if planning to use the service; keep the receipt safe; report any damaged or missing items to staff immediately and follow the venue’s lost-property procedure for later queries.

Bag size limits, prohibited items and security screening

Carry a compact bag no larger than 45 x 35 x 20 cm into exhibition rooms; items exceeding those dimensions should be deposited at coat check or transported off-site before visiting.

Single-item weight limit: 10 kg. Backpacks with rigid frames, large wheeled suitcases, and oversized holdalls are not permitted inside display spaces because they pose a risk to artworks and obstruct visitor flow. Collapsible daypacks and slim shoulder bags are acceptable if carried on the front or kept close to the body.

Prohibited items include: professional camera rigs and large tripods, selfie sticks, folding bicycles, open umbrellas, food and drink, aerosol cans, flammable substances, glass containers, knives or other sharp implements, and items that could damage exhibits. Medical devices and prescribed medications are allowed but should be declared to security staff on entry.

Screening procedure: all bags are subject to X‑ray inspection and visitors may pass through a walkthrough metal detector; handheld wand checks and random bag searches occur during peak times. Staff will request that locked bags be opened for inspection; refusal will result in denied entry or requirement to remove the item from the premises. Confiscated prohibited articles are retained only long enough to arrange lawful disposal or return.

Practical tips: pack essentials in a slim daypack to speed up screening and reduce the need for deposits, secure power banks in an external pocket for easy access during checks, and avoid metal-heavy accessories that trigger alarms. For compact travel sets consider best luggage set for cruise, and for a reliable small backpack see best the north face backpack.

Charges, payment methods and refund rules for stored belongings

Pay the applicable cloakroom tariff on drop-off: small personal item £3, medium backpack £5, cabin-size suitcase £10, large cases and sports gear £15 – rates billed per 24-hour period starting at time of deposit; oversized or hazardous items may incur a separate handling surcharge (typically £20–£30).

Accepted payment options

Contactless debit/credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro), chip-and-PIN, Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted at manned desks and kiosks; cash (GBP) accepted but exact change recommended. Prepaid or foreign-issued cards may be declined by some terminals; online prebooking usually requires card payment at time of reservation. Cheques not accepted.

Refunds, lost-ticket procedures and unclaimed-item policy

Refunds issued to the original payment method within 5–10 business days after staff verification. Cash refunds require presentation of the original receipt plus photo ID. No pro rata refunds for early collection unless an on-site error caused overcharging. For disputes, present the printed receipt and deposit ticket; staff will log a dispute and escalate to management within 48 hours. Lost ticket: complete a lost-ticket form, show photo ID, and wait for staff verification – a management hold fee of £10 may apply until identity is confirmed. Uncollected items incur the daily rate for each 24-hour block; items unclaimed after 60 days are transferred to secure storage or disposed/sold under the venue’s disposal policy, with an administration charge (commonly £25) deducted from any recoverable value.

For equipment-specific allowance rules (for example, DSLR policies at off-site events) consult external guidance: are dslr camera allowed at barrett jackson.

If the museum refuses storage: nearby lockers and paid services

Use staffed station storage or app-booked commercial storage as the fastest alternative; reserve a slot online before arriving to guarantee drop-off.

Nearest staffed options (typical details)

• Excess Baggage Company – Waterloo Station (Lower Marsh, SE1 7LY): walking ~12 minutes from Trafalgar Square; staffed counter; typical tariff range £8–£18 per item per 24 hours; accepts suitcases and large bags; hours vary by location (generally early morning to late evening).

• Excess Baggage Company – Victoria Station (SW1V 1JU): walking ~15 minutes; similar size acceptance and pricing; advisable to call or check the operator’s site for exact opening times.

• Major termini (King’s Cross, Euston, Paddington) – manned left-baggage desks run by commercial operators: walking 25–35 minutes or short tube/taxi ride; typical prices £7–£20 per item per 24 hours; larger storage capacity for oversize items.

App-based and shop-hosted storage (quick facts and costs)

• Services: Stasher, Bounce, LuggageHero, Nannybag – network of local shops, hotels and kiosks that accept bags. Average price £4–£12 per item per 24 hours; many offer hourly rates for short stints.
• Booking: mandatory online reservation recommended; show photo ID and the booking confirmation at drop-off.
• Coverage: most partners include basic insurance (usually up to ~£1,000); read individual provider terms for declared value limits and claims process.
• Availability: hundreds of spots within a 5–12 minute walk of Trafalgar Square during daytime; availability drops during holidays and major events – reserve in advance.

Other practical options

• Hotel concierge: nearby hotels will often store bags for a fee or complimentary for guests; for non-guests expect a charge or a small gratuity.
• Courier/express transfer: same-day courier services (local providers) can transport items to a hotel, residence or storage facility; typical one-way fares start around £12–£25 depending on distance and parcel size.
• Self-storage drop-off: short-term commercial storage facilities accept single-item drop-offs for 24–72 hours; pricing and minimum stay policies vary – call ahead.

Checklist before drop-off

1. Photograph contents and tag bags with contact details.
2. Remove valuables or carry them on the person; most providers refuse liability for high-value items unless declared.
3. Confirm opening/collection window and extension fees; obtain a printed or digital receipt showing expiry time.
4. Note insurance limits and purchase additional cover if declared value exceeds provider limits.
5. Keep the provider’s emergency contact number and booking reference on hand.