The British Museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London, gathering over 6 million visitors every year. If you’re in the city, you don’t want to skip a visit to the Museum to marvel at all the amazing exhibits. However, there might be a problem; in order to enhance security, no large bags or luggage are permitted in The British Museum’s cloakrooms.
Stasher’s Guide to Left Luggage at The British Museum
Fortunately, Stasher is here for you! London is Stasher’s hometown, and there are numerous StashPoints you can find all around the city ―for example, local shops like Fancy that of London, located just 1 minute from The British Museum’s doors, will guarantee your luggage’s safekeeping. Simply book online, and drop your bags off at the StashPoint of your choosing, and go about your day at the museum!
Once you’ve left your bags and heavy items at Stasher’s hosts, you can explore the Museum’s exhibitions hands-free and carefree!
About the British Museum
Whether you’re visiting London for the first time, or you’ve lived here all your life, spending at least a few hours at the British Museum is a must. Located close to Covent Garden, the establishment features 94 galleries and 8 million artifacts that you can browse through free of charge, except for special occasions.
The British Museum was the first national museum to cover all fields of human knowledge, founded in 1753 and open since 1759. The Museum is driven by an insatiable desire to expand and share knowledge and the belief that objects are reliable witnesses and documents of human history.
Additionally, the building is a marvel on its own; you just have to see the Great Court, the largest covered public square in Europe: a 2-acre space covered with a spectacular glass ceiling. And inside the Court’s heart lies the world-renowned Reading Room, for all bookworms to feel at home.
What to See
The British Museum is divided by continents, and there’s really something for everyone, with “Ancient Greek and Rome” being one of the most famous sections.
Most of the galleries in the museum are open; if you’re a Japan enthusiast, you can book Hokusai: The Great Picture Book of Everything, while you can also explore the wonderful collection of the Islamic world. For classic history buffs, Sutton Hoo and Nero: the man behind the myth are also available to book, and it goes without saying that you shouldn’t miss a tour of the museum’s permanent collection.
Walk-up visits are available each day for those who arrive at the Museum without advance bookings, but we strongly advise that you book a timed slot in advance to make sure you get to actually visit the museum ―as capacity cannot be guaranteed.
British Museum Bag Policy
For security reasons, cloakrooms and lockers are not currently available on the premises. The luggage brought into the museum can be no bigger than 40cm x 40cm x 50cm and heavier than 8kg. Wheeled cases, folding bicycles, scooters, and skateboards are not permitted on the premises as well, and same goes for musical instruments of all sorts.
On the other hand, pushchairs are permitted on-site; keep in mind that there are currently no cloakroom facilities available, so pushchairs will need to be kept with visitors at all times.
The British Museum Facilities
The British Museum features many attractive activities and events for the whole family. If you’re visiting with kids, there’s bound to be something to amaze them, whether it be mummies or Ancient Greece exhibits. Make sure to borrow one of the museum’s very own family activity backpack, follow an organized trail, and even take part in the numerous family-friendly events.
Furthermore, there are three eateries available on the premises for you to relax and enjoy a rejuvenating coffee or a delicious meal… paired with a glass of wine, to take the edge off after all this culture!
Accessibility
The main entrance of the museum is on Great Russell Street, and there’s also an entry via Montague Place. The British Museum operates from Monday through Sunday, until 17.00. On Fridays, due to the late opening of exhibitions, the Museum closes down at 20.30.
An easy access route is available for disabled visitors, Members and visitors with pushchairs and/or children under five, while all visitors pass through a security check which involves a bag search.
And what about getting there? Below are the the recommended bus routes that pass within walking distance of the Museum.
- New Oxford Street: 1, 8, 19, 25, 38, 55, 98, 242
- Southampton Row: 59, 68, X68, 91, 168, 188
- Tottenham Court Road (northbound) / Gower Street (southbound): 14, 24, 29, 73, 134, 390
And if you’re going there by tube, there are four tube stations closest to the Museum:
- Tottenham Court Road: 5-minute walk
- Holborn: 7-minute walk
- Russell Square: 7-minute walk
- Goodge Street: 8-minute walk
Should you need additional information, visit the British Museum website here.
Luggage Storage in London
Stasher offers safe, affordable and fully insured luggage storage near the British Museum and throughout London. Whether you’re in the city for a day and want to browse around the museums and galleries, or if you’re killing a few hours until your check-in, you’re going to need a place to securely leave your luggage. And if you want the best, most affordable, and convenient solution, you should consider using one of the numerous StashPoints around the city.
Below you can see some of our most popular luggage storage locations in London:
- Luggage Storage Near London Bridge Station
- Luggage Storage Near London Waterloo
- Luggage Storage Near King’s Cross Station
- Luggage Storage Near St Pancras International
- Luggage Storage Near Wembley Stadium
- Luggage Storage Near Charing Cross Station
- Luggage Storage Near Paddington Station
- Luggage Storage Near Euston
- Luggage Storage Near Victoria Station
- Luggage Storage Near The Tower of London
- Luggage Storage Near Westminster
- Luggage Storage Near Covent Garden
- Luggage Storage Near Piccadilly Circus
Our recommended StashPoint is just a minute’s walk from the British Museum and prices start from just £6 ―without exceeding an extra £6 for any additional day. Click here to find out more.