Michael Turner
Recommendation: Use on-site secure compartments on north concourse; options include coin-operated units, contactless-operated cubicles, and staffed left-baggage desk for oversized items.
Sizes & prices: Small: 30×35×50 cm – £5 per 24 hours; Medium: 50×50×80 cm – £8–£12 per 24 hours; Large: 80×80×120 cm – £12–£18 per 24 hours. Some operators apply hourly tariff for first 6 hours.
Hours & access: Unattended compartments accessible 24/7; staffed desk operational 06:30–21:00 Mon–Sat with limited Sunday service. Payment methods: coins, contactless card, operator app with QR-code unlock.
Security & practical tips: CCTV coverage across concourse, routine patrols, tamper-evident seals available on request. Photograph contents, store receipt number in phone, avoid leaving passports or high-value electronics, carry small padlock or cable lock for extra protection. For bulky or irregular items use staffed desk to obtain item record and paperwork.
Alternatives: Nearby coach terminal and independent city-centre storage providers offer online booking and door-to-door collection; typical walking time from main shopping area: 7–10 minutes.
Use staffed left-baggage desk inside main concourse; unattended bag storage units not available
Use staffed left-baggage desk on main concourse for short-term storage; unattended coin-operated bag boxes are not present onsite.
Location: desk sits adjacent to ticket office on concourse near platform entrance; look for signage or ask rail staff upon arrival.
Fees: expect day rate around £6–£10 per item for up to 24 hours; extended storage usually charged per additional day. Confirm current tariff via operator website or at desk before leaving bags.
Opening hours typically mirror ticket office schedule, often early morning until late evening; overnight or very early drop-offs may be restricted. Check operator site or phone before planning.
Alternatives nearby
Use third-party secure drop-off services located within walking distance of central rail hub; many allow online booking, insured storage, and flexible time windows. Compare prices and size limits before booking.
Bike and bulky items
Bulky items often declined by staffed desk; bikes usually accepted only when boxed or partially dismantled. Clean bike before drop-off to avoid refusal; see best pressure washer for cleaning bikes for recommended equipment. Use padded covers or straps, record serial number, and insure high-value items prior to storage.
On-site storage units: locations and opening hours
Use the staffed ticket office inside the main concourse for short-term bag storage; automated units (when present) are the only option for 24/7 access.
- Main concourse – staffed drop-off point adjacent to ticket barriers; ideal for items you need returned during staffed hours.
- South entrance concourse – bank of pay-by-app/coin automated storage units (availability varies by day).
- Platform vestibules – occasional oversized equipment unit for items too large for standard automated units.
Typical opening hours (confirm before travel):
- Staffed ticket office: Monday–Saturday roughly 06:00–20:00; Sunday roughly 08:00–18:00.
- Automated storage units: accessible 24 hours a day when operational; individual unit status shown on-site and in provider apps.
Practical guidance
- Check live times: consult National Rail Enquiries or the operating company website/helpline on the day of travel to confirm staffed hours and unit availability.
- Bring photo ID for any staffed drop-off; request a receipt and note collection deadline printed on the ticket.
- Expect fees and size limits posted at each facility; automated units accept card or app payments.
- If on-site options are closed or full, search nearby city-centre left-baggage services or app-based short-term storage providers for guaranteed 24/7 alternatives.
Compartment sizes, weight caps and prohibited items
Select a compartment that matches case dimensions and mass: small for daypacks up to 12 kg; medium for weekend cases up to 20 kg; large for full-size suitcases up to 30 kg.
Dimensions and weight caps
- Small compartment – internal approx. 35 × 30 × 20 cm (13.8 × 11.8 × 7.9 in); recommended max weight 12 kg (26 lb). Suited for backpacks, camera bags, shopping bags.
- Medium compartment – internal approx. 60 × 35 × 40 cm (23.6 × 13.8 × 15.7 in); recommended max weight 20 kg (44 lb). Fits carry-on cases and weekend bags.
- Large compartment – internal approx. 85 × 40 × 55 cm (33.5 × 15.7 × 21.7 in); recommended max weight 30 kg (66 lb). Designed for larger wheeled suitcases and sports bags.
- Oversize items (golf bags, bikes, bulky equipment) normally exceed compartment dimensions and weight limits; use a staffed left-baggage desk or off-site storage for those items.
- If uncertain, measure bag height, width and depth and weigh on a personal scale before storing; overloading can jam doors and cause refusal or surcharges.
Prohibited and restricted items
- Flammable/combustible substances: petrol, lighter fluid, highly flammable aerosols, paint thinners – not permitted.
- Explosives, fireworks, ammunition and weapons of any kind – strictly forbidden.
- Compressed gas cylinders and large gas canisters (including camping gas) – prohibited.
- Hazardous chemicals and corrosive liquids (acids, alkalis, bleach in large quantities) – not allowed.
- Loose lithium batteries and high-capacity powerbanks: spare lithium-ion cells/packs above 100 Wh or multiple loose cells should not be stored; installed batteries inside everyday devices are generally acceptable.
- Perishable goods likely to spoil or attract pests (raw meat, large amounts of fresh produce) – decline acceptance.
- Live animals (pets) – not permitted inside compartments; registered assistance animals should be discussed with staff at a left-baggage counter.
- Illegal substances or goods subject to customs restrictions – will be seized and reported to authorities.
Pack fragile items with padding, avoid stacking heavy objects on delicate contents, close zips fully and lock suitcases where possible. For unusual items or borderline cases consult the staffed left-baggage desk before depositing; items refused at drop-off may incur removal or disposal. Failure to declare prohibited contents can result in confiscation and reporting to law enforcement.
Pricing, payment methods and maximum storage duration
Use staffed left-baggage desk for stays beyond 24 hours; standard tariffs: £5 per 24-hour period for small items, £8 for medium items, £12 for large items; oversized pieces require prior approval and attract higher rates.
Accepted payments: contactless cards, chip-and-PIN debit/credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Cash accepted only at manned desk and subject to change availability. Online prepay via facility portal or on-site card kiosk available for advance reservations. Refunds issued only on presentation of original receipt plus valid photo ID.
| Category | Price per 24h | Payment options | Max retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small items | £5 | Contactless, card, mobile pay, cash (desk) | 14 days |
| Medium items | £8 | Contactless, card, mobile pay, cash (desk) | 14 days |
| Large items | £12 | Contactless, card, mobile pay, online prepay | 14 days (extensions possible) |
Maximum retention normally set at 14 days. Extension requests considered subject to available space and require additional daily fee charged in advance. Uncollected items after retention period will be classed as abandoned and forwarded to local lost-property office; retrieval thereafter incurs a handling fee of £10 plus postage if items are returned by mail.
Collection rules: present booking reference or receipt together with photo ID. Early collection within first 24 hours still charged full daily rate. Late collection beyond agreed extension attracts extra daily charge plus £10 handling fee. Forced-access or lost-key interventions carry an additional service charge and may require police notification if contents include restricted items.
Liability and insurance: operator liability typically capped at £50 per item unless higher cover purchased at time of deposit; declare high-value contents at drop-off and request additional insurance if needed.
Security measures, insurance and how to report lost property
Report missing items within 24 hours via official online lost-property portal; retain ID, travel ticket, clear item description, photos and serial numbers.
Security measures
CCTV covers public concourse areas and secure storage units; footage retention usually 30 days. Staff patrols monitor platforms and ticket halls, with incident logs maintained for each report. Storage receipts include unique reference codes and timestamps–keep receipt until recovery for proof of deposit and for any claim.
Insurance and reporting
Operators often limit liability for deposited items; limit amounts vary and are displayed on signage or booking terms, commonly between £20 and £100 per item. For high-value property obtain separate insurance or add declared-value cover where available. Home contents and travel policies may cover losses while items are temporarily stored; verify policy wording for off-premises storage and unattended-item exclusions before leaving valuables.
Retain original purchase receipts, serial numbers and photos to support claims. If theft suspected, report to local police and obtain crime reference number for insurers and for operator follow-up.
How to report lost items: submit an online form at official rail lost-property portal or call operator lost-property desk; provide deposit reference (if available), deposit date and time, platform or area, item description, serial numbers, value estimate and up-to-date contact details. If item was inside secure storage equipment also notify storage operator and request CCTV review using incident reference.
Expect holding periods ranging from 7 to 28 days before unclaimed items are forwarded to local police or charity; check operator terms for exact retention window. Keep copies of all correspondence and incident numbers until final resolution.
Alternatives when on-site storage unavailable: staffed left-bag desks and local storage services
Use a manned left-bag desk inside main concourse or pre-book a commercial drop-off via Stasher, Bounce or LuggageHero for secure same-day hold; bring photo ID, expect card or app payment, and budget ~£5–£12 per item per 24 hours.
How to use staffed desks
Locate desk near ticket office or platform access and confirm opening hours with rail staff before arrival; present photo ID, obtain numbered receipt plus bag tag, photograph both for proof; keep receipt until final collection; request written record of any pre-existing damage.
Private apps and local hosts
Search apps within 0.5 mile radius for shops, hotels or host businesses and pre-book to lock price; confirm insured value (commonly £1,000–£2,000 per item) and check collection ID requirements; read recent reviews and cancellation terms to avoid surprise charges.
For oversized or fragile items opt for short-term courier storage or hotel concierge services; expect higher fees and a required booking window of 24–48 hours plus a condition report on drop-off; negotiate pick-up time if late collection likely.
Optimize pack strategy by choosing roll-top or zipless designs for faster checks – best luggage without zippers. For umbrella stands and outdoor gear left at host sites, follow recommended fill methods for stability – best way to fill umbrella base with sand.
FAQ:
Does Bath Spa railway station have luggage lockers?
As of mid-2024 the station does not offer coin-operated lockers or a staffed left-luggage office. Travellers who need short-term storage usually use private luggage-storage services in the city or leave bags with their accommodation. To be certain before you travel, check National Rail Enquiries or contact the station operator’s customer service.
If there are no lockers at the station, what practical options exist nearby?
You can book space with one of the city’s luggage-storage providers (search for “luggage storage Bath” or use apps such as Stasher or Bounce). These businesses typically operate from shops, hotels or secure local premises within a short walk of the station and charge per item, per day. Many hotels and hostels will also hold bags for guests and sometimes for non-guests for a modest fee. Before you drop off your bags, check opening hours, read the provider’s policy on valuables and insurance, and get a receipt or booking confirmation.
What should I check about size, security and insurance when leaving bags outside the station?
Ask the storage provider about size limits, maximum weight and any restrictions on bulky items like bicycles or sports equipment, since larger pieces may carry higher fees or be refused. Confirm what security measures are in place: monitored storage areas, CCTV, locked rooms and staff handling. Find out the provider’s liability or insurance cover for loss or damage and whether you need to purchase additional protection for high-value items. Photograph your luggage and its contents, keep receipts and booking details, and remove essentials such as passports, medications and electronics before drop-off. Finally, check opening and collection times so you don’t face access problems if your travel schedule changes.
