Planning to visit a London museum before checking into your hotel, or after checking out? You might be wondering whether you can bring your backpack or suitcase inside.
Unfortunately, London’s museums don’t all follow the same rules. Some offer cloakrooms or lockers. Others refuse wheeled luggage altogether, even if it’s only cabin-sized.
We’ve checked the published visitor information for 22 popular London museums. Where a luggage rule remains unclear, we’ve left it unconfirmed, so you can decide what to bring and when to leave your bags elsewhere.
London Museum Bag Checker
Bag checker
Choose your museum and what you're carrying to check its luggage rules.
Bank of England Museum
City of London · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Storage unavailable.
Visitors must keep their belongings with them. Suitcase admission is not confirmed.
Bank of England Museum
City of London · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Storage unavailable.
Bank of England Museum
City of London · Large suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Storage unavailable.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Storage unavailable.
- Storage cost
- Not confirmed. Do not assume storage is free.
No lockers or storage for luggage, bags or prams.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
British Museum
Bloomsbury · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Accepted subject to capacity, fit and the conditions below.
Small bags remain subject to security checks and staff instructions.
British Museum
Bloomsbury · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
You cannot bring it onto the premises
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- This bag cannot be brought in for storage.
Suitcases are prohibited, including cabin-sized wheeled cases. Lockers or cloakrooms do not override this restriction.
British Museum
Bloomsbury · Large suitcase
You cannot bring it onto the premises
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- This bag cannot be brought in for storage.
Suitcases are prohibited, including cabin-sized wheeled cases. Lockers or cloakrooms do not override this restriction.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Cloakroom
- Storage cost
- Bags up to 4 kg: £4; 4–8 kg: £6. Free for Members.
- Maximum permitted bag
- 40 × 40 × 50 cm
- Maximum permitted bag weight
- 8 kg
No wheeled suitcases. Collect stored belongings before leaving the museum site. Capacity is limited.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Design Museum
Kensington · Small backpack or handbag
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Design Museum
Kensington · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Design Museum
Kensington · Large suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Lockers
- Storage cost
- £1 coin, non-refundable; tokens can be bought by card.
Lockers are on level −1 and can fill up. Current suitcase acceptance and locker dimensions are not confirmed.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Guildhall Art Gallery
City of London · Small backpack or handbag
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Guildhall Art Gallery
City of London · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Guildhall Art Gallery
City of London · Large suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Lockers and unattended cloakroom
- Storage cost
- Lockers: refundable £1 deposit.
- Maximum locker item
- 32 × 53 × 42 cm
Public visitor guidance confirms facilities but does not clearly establish suitcase admission. Do not leave valuables in an unattended cloakroom.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Horniman Museum
Forest Hill · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Small bags remain subject to security checks and staff instructions.
Horniman Museum
Forest Hill · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Horniman Museum
Forest Hill · Large suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Self-service lockers
- Storage cost
- Refundable £1 coin deposit.
Current visitor information lists working lockers via the Café. Capacity is limited; bring only bags you can carry comfortably. Suitcase acceptance is not confirmed.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Hunterian Museum
Holborn · Small backpack or handbag
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Accepted subject to capacity, fit and the conditions below.
Backpacks and rucksacks must be stored in a locker. A separate small-handbag exemption is not clearly stated.
Hunterian Museum
Holborn · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
You must store it at the museum
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- Accepted subject to capacity, fit and the conditions below.
Must be stored. Space is subject to capacity; check unusually large items directly before travelling.
Hunterian Museum
Holborn · Large suitcase
You must store it at the museum
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- Accepted subject to capacity, fit and the conditions below.
Must be stored. Space is subject to capacity; check unusually large items directly before travelling.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Lockers
- Storage cost
- Not confirmed. Do not assume storage is free.
- Locker option 1 (height × width × depth)
- 69.5 × 31.5 × 62.5 cm
- Locker option 2 (height × width × depth)
- 64.5 × 28.5 × 45.5 cm
- Locker option 3 (height × width × depth)
- 47.5 × 29 × 46 cm
The museum explicitly directs suitcases into lockers, subject to fit and first-come availability. Measure your case: there is no promise that every cabin or large suitcase will fit.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Imperial War Museum London
Lambeth · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Small bags remain subject to security checks and staff instructions.
Imperial War Museum London
Lambeth · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
You cannot bring it onto the premises
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- This bag cannot be brought in for storage.
Suitcases are prohibited, including cabin-sized wheeled cases. Lockers or cloakrooms do not override this restriction.
Imperial War Museum London
Lambeth · Large suitcase
You cannot bring it onto the premises
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- This bag cannot be brought in for storage.
Suitcases are prohibited, including cabin-sized wheeled cases. Lockers or cloakrooms do not override this restriction.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Lockers
- Storage cost
- Refundable £1 coin deposit.
- Largest locker (height × width × depth)
- 55 × 33 × 43 cm
Wheeled cases, sports equipment and large luggage are not allowed in the museum.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
London Museum Docklands
Canary Wharf · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Small bags remain subject to security checks and staff instructions.
London Museum Docklands
Canary Wharf · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
The museum describes lockers for cabin-sized luggage but does not clearly confirm wheeled-case admission. Measure your case and check directly.
London Museum Docklands
Canary Wharf · Large suitcase
You cannot bring it onto the premises
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- This bag cannot be brought in for storage.
Large luggage is prohibited.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Lockers and cloakroom
- Storage cost
- Lockers: £1.
- Locker
- 24 × 37 × 43 cm
Locker dimensions do not establish permission to bring a wheeled suitcase.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Museum of the Home
Hoxton · Small backpack or handbag
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not confirmed.
- Storage for this bag
- Not confirmed.
Museum of the Home
Hoxton · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not confirmed.
- Storage for this bag
- Not confirmed.
Museum of the Home
Hoxton · Large suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not confirmed.
- Storage for this bag
- Not confirmed.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Not confirmed for general visitors.
- Storage cost
- Not confirmed. Do not assume storage is free.
General visitor suitcase and storage rules could not be confirmed. Facilities mentioned for schools, libraries or buggies do not establish suitcase storage for ordinary visitors.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Luggage policy not verified. Check directly with the museum.
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Accepted subject to capacity, fit and the conditions below.
Carry backpacks at your front or side in the collection. Backpacks and large bags must be stored for paid exhibitions; maximum-size bags must be checked in.
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
You cannot bring it onto the premises
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- This bag cannot be brought in for storage.
Suitcases are prohibited, including cabin-sized wheeled cases. Lockers or cloakrooms do not override this restriction.
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square · Large suitcase
You cannot bring it onto the premises
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- This bag cannot be brought in for storage.
Suitcases are prohibited, including cabin-sized wheeled cases. Lockers or cloakrooms do not override this restriction.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Cloakroom
- Storage cost
- £3 per eligible item; free for Members.
- Maximum permitted bag
- 56 × 25 × 45 cm
Suitcases and wheeled luggage are not permitted. Contact the Gallery about medical or nursing exceptions.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
National Maritime Museum
Greenwich · Small backpack or handbag
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not confirmed.
- Storage for this bag
- Not confirmed.
National Maritime Museum
Greenwich · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not confirmed.
- Storage for this bag
- Not confirmed.
National Maritime Museum
Greenwich · Large suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not confirmed.
- Storage for this bag
- Not confirmed.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Not confirmed for general visitors.
- Storage cost
- Not confirmed. Do not assume storage is free.
General visitor suitcase and storage rules could not be confirmed. Facilities mentioned for schools, libraries or buggies do not establish suitcase storage for ordinary visitors.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Luggage policy not verified. Check directly with the museum.
Natural History Museum
South Kensington · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Accepted subject to capacity, fit and the conditions below.
Small bags remain subject to security checks and staff instructions.
Natural History Museum
South Kensington · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
You must store it at the museum
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- Accepted subject to capacity, fit and the conditions below.
Must be stored. Space is subject to capacity; check unusually large items directly before travelling.
Natural History Museum
South Kensington · Large suitcase
You must store it at the museum
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- Accepted subject to capacity, fit and the conditions below.
Must be stored. Space is subject to capacity; check unusually large items directly before travelling.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Cloakrooms
- Storage cost
- Bags below 4 kg: £5; above 4 kg: £6. Ask staff about the 4 kg boundary.
Large bags and wheeled suitcases must be stored. Central cloakroom takes large bags and suitcases; East also takes smaller belongings. Capacity is limited.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Queen's House
Greenwich · Small backpack or handbag
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Backpacks cannot be worn and large bags cannot be carried around the house. The published information does not separately confirm the small-handbag rule.
Queen's House
Greenwich · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Queen's House
Greenwich · Large suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Undercroft lockers
- Storage cost
- £1.
Locker dimensions and suitcase admission are not confirmed.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
RAF Museum London
Hendon / Colindale · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Small bags remain subject to security checks and staff instructions.
RAF Museum London
Hendon / Colindale · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Oversized bags must be searched and booked into a locker or storage area. Wheeled-case acceptance and size limits are not clearly stated.
RAF Museum London
Hendon / Colindale · Large suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Oversized bags must be stored, but acceptance of a large suitcase is not clearly confirmed.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Limited lockers / storage
- Storage cost
- Not confirmed. Do not assume storage is free.
Lockers are in Hangar 1. The admissions policy requires oversized bags to be stored; it does not guarantee space for every suitcase.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Science Museum
South Kensington · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Small bags remain subject to security checks and staff instructions.
Science Museum
South Kensington · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Science Museum
South Kensington · Large suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Self-service lockers
- Storage cost
- Standard £3; large £5; jumbo £7. Card payment only.
- Standard locker (height × width × depth)
- 35 × 30 × 43 cm
- Large locker (height × width × depth)
- 44 × 33 × 41 cm
- Jumbo locker (height × width × depth)
- 58 × 44 × 66 cm
Level −1 lockers. The museum advises leaving suitcases and larger items at home, even though jumbo lockers fit carry-on luggage. This does not clearly confirm wheeled-case admission.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Sir John Soane's Museum
Holborn · Small backpack or handbag
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Accepted subject to capacity, fit and the conditions below.
Small belongings go into a museum-provided clear carrier. Limited free cloakroom space is available for smaller bags; ask staff what must be deposited.
Sir John Soane's Museum
Holborn · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
You cannot bring it onto the premises
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- This bag cannot be brought in for storage.
Suitcases are prohibited, including cabin-sized wheeled cases. Lockers or cloakrooms do not override this restriction.
Sir John Soane's Museum
Holborn · Large suitcase
You cannot bring it onto the premises
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- This bag cannot be brought in for storage.
Suitcases are prohibited, including cabin-sized wheeled cases. Lockers or cloakrooms do not override this restriction.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Limited cloakroom
- Storage cost
- Free.
Do not bring suitcases or large/camping rucksacks. The supplied clear carrier is 37.5 × 45 × 7.5 cm; this is not a suitcase allowance.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Tate Britain
Millbank · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Small bags remain subject to security checks and staff instructions.
Tate Britain
Millbank · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Tate Britain
Millbank · Large suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Items larger than 55 × 40 × 20 cm are prohibited in the building. Measure your own case; suitcase admission within that limit is not explicitly confirmed.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Limited cloakroom
- Storage cost
- Not confirmed. Do not assume storage is free.
- Maximum item admitted
- 55 × 40 × 20 cm
Cloakroom capacity is limited. Locker size does not override the building bag limit or confirm suitcase acceptance.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Tate Modern
Bankside · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Small bags remain subject to security checks and staff instructions.
Tate Modern
Bankside · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Tate Modern
Bankside · Large suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Items larger than 55 × 40 × 20 cm are prohibited in the building. Measure your own case; suitcase admission within that limit is not explicitly confirmed.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Lockers
- Storage cost
- Standard £4; large £6; jumbo £8. Cashless; free for Members.
- Maximum item admitted
- 55 × 40 × 20 cm
- Largest locker
- 58 × 44 × 66 cm
Natalie Bell level 0 cloakroom has closed. Lockers are on level 0 of the Blavatnik Building. Locker size does not override the building bag limit or confirm suitcase acceptance.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
V&A South Kensington
South Kensington · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Accepted subject to capacity, fit and the conditions below.
Small bags remain subject to security checks and staff instructions.
V&A South Kensington
South Kensington · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
You must store it at the museum
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- Accepted subject to capacity, fit and the conditions below.
Must be stored. Space is subject to capacity; check unusually large items directly before travelling.
V&A South Kensington
South Kensington · Large suitcase
You must store it at the museum
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- Accepted subject to capacity, fit and the conditions below.
Must be stored. Space is subject to capacity; check unusually large items directly before travelling.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Cloakrooms
- Storage cost
- Small bags/coats: £3; cabin-sized luggage: £5; larger bags: £7.
- Gallery bag limit
- 56 × 45 × 21 cm
Wheeled luggage cannot go into galleries. Larger-bag tariff is published, but no upper storage limit is stated: confirm exceptionally large cases.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Wallace Collection
Marylebone · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Small bags remain subject to security checks and staff instructions.
Wallace Collection
Marylebone · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Wallace Collection
Marylebone · Large suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Items over 56 × 25 × 45 cm cannot enter the building. Measure your actual bag; the category name alone does not establish its size.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Lockers
- Storage cost
- Free.
- Maximum item admitted
- 56 × 25 × 45 cm
Larger items must not be brought to the museum. Wheeled-case acceptance and locker dimensions are not separately confirmed.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Wellcome Collection
Euston · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Small bags remain subject to security checks and staff instructions.
Wellcome Collection
Euston · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not clearly confirmed for this bag type.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Wheeled-case admission is not explicitly confirmed. Do not infer acceptance from locker size.
Wellcome Collection
Euston · Large suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Luggage larger than standard airline carry-on cannot enter galleries. Storage is possible only within the published storage limit; confirm your suitcase directly.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- Lockers
- Storage cost
- Free.
- Maximum storage item (height × width × depth)
- 84.7 × 24 × 27.4 cm
Library rules are stricter than gallery rules. Oversized items cannot be stored.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Young V&A
Bethnal Green · Small backpack or handbag
You can carry it inside
- In galleries
- Allowed, subject to the notes below.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Small bags remain subject to security checks and staff instructions.
Young V&A
Bethnal Green · Cabin-sized wheeled suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- Acceptance of this bag for storage is not confirmed.
Wheeled bags are prohibited in galleries. Their acceptance for locker storage is not clearly confirmed.
Young V&A
Bethnal Green · Large suitcase
Check directly with the museum
The museum's published information doesn't clearly confirm whether this type of luggage is accepted. Check directly before travelling.
- In galleries
- Not permitted in galleries.
- Storage for this bag
- Storage unavailable for this bag type.
No large-luggage storage. Large bags cannot go into galleries; confirm entry arrangements before travelling.
- Cloakroom or lockers
- 24 lockers
- Storage cost
- Free.
- Gallery bag limit
- 56 × 45 × 21 cm
Lockers are first come, first served. No facilities for large luggage.
Official policy and visitor information · Do you need to book?
Published details checked . Unconfirmed fields remain unknown.
Bag categories are not measurements. Check your actual bag against published limits, including wheels and handles. A locker does not prove that a suitcase is permitted. Space is never guaranteed.
London Museum Bag and Suitcase Rules Compared
Use this overview to narrow down your options, then read your museum’s detailed result. “Available” storage does not mean every bag is accepted. Prices are for eligible items only; a published charge never overrides an admission restriction.
| Museum | Small bags | Wheeled suitcases | Cloakroom or lockers | Storage cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of England Museum | Allowed | Not confirmedLarge: not confirmed | Unavailable | Not confirmed |
| British Museum | Allowed | Not permittedLarge: not permitted | Cloakroom | Bags up to 4 kg: £4; 4–8 kg: £6. Free for Members. |
| Design Museum | Not confirmed | Not confirmedLarge: not confirmed | Lockers | £1 coin, non-refundable; tokens can be bought by card. |
| Guildhall Art Gallery | Not confirmed | Not confirmedLarge: not confirmed | Lockers and unattended cloakroom | Lockers: refundable £1 deposit. |
| Horniman Museum | Allowed | Not confirmedLarge: not confirmed | Self-service lockers | Refundable £1 coin deposit. |
| Hunterian Museum | Not confirmed | Must be storedLarge: must be stored | Lockers | Not confirmed |
| Imperial War Museum London | Allowed | Not permittedLarge: not permitted | Lockers | Refundable £1 coin deposit. |
| London Museum Docklands | Allowed | Not confirmedLarge: not permitted | Lockers and cloakroom | Lockers: £1. |
| Museum of the Home | Not confirmed | Not confirmedLarge: not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| National Gallery | Allowed | Not permittedLarge: not permitted | Cloakroom | £3 per eligible item; free for Members. |
| National Maritime Museum | Not confirmed | Not confirmedLarge: not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Natural History Museum | Allowed | Must be storedLarge: must be stored | Cloakrooms | Bags below 4 kg: £5; above 4 kg: £6. Ask staff about the 4 kg boundary. |
| Queen's House | Not confirmed | Not confirmedLarge: not confirmed | Undercroft lockers | £1. |
| RAF Museum London | Allowed | Not confirmedLarge: not confirmed | Limited lockers / storage | Not confirmed |
| Science Museum | Allowed | Not confirmedLarge: not confirmed | Self-service lockers | Standard £3; large £5; jumbo £7. Card payment only. |
| Sir John Soane's Museum | Not confirmed | Not permittedLarge: not permitted | Limited cloakroom | Free. |
| Tate Britain | Allowed | Not confirmedLarge: not confirmed | Limited cloakroom | Not confirmed |
| Tate Modern | Allowed | Not confirmedLarge: not confirmed | Lockers | Standard £4; large £6; jumbo £8. Cashless; free for Members. |
| V&A South Kensington | Allowed | Must be storedLarge: must be stored | Cloakrooms | Small bags/coats: £3; cabin-sized luggage: £5; larger bags: £7. |
| Wallace Collection | Allowed | Not confirmedLarge: not confirmed | Lockers | Free. |
| Wellcome Collection | Allowed | Not confirmedLarge: not confirmed | Lockers | Free. |
| Young V&A | Allowed | Not confirmedLarge: not confirmed | 24 lockers | Free. |
Can you take a suitcase into London’s museums?
Sometimes, but there is no London-wide rule. A museum can admit your case to a cloakroom while refusing it in galleries. Another can ban it throughout the premises, making storage there impossible. Having a ticket does not change either policy.
At the Natural History Museum, large bags and wheeled suitcases must be stored. Its cloakrooms have limited capacity, so arriving with luggage still carries a risk. At the British Museum, wheeled suitcases are prohibited: you cannot simply wheel one to the cloakroom.
Cabin luggage is not a standard measurement. Airlines use different limits, and wheels, handles and bulging pockets can change the size. If a museum gives dimensions, measure your actual packed bag. A small-looking case is still wheeled luggage wherever the rule bans wheels.
Booking is a separate question. Use our London Museum Booking Checker to check admission arrangements for the same 22 museums. Neither checker shows live queues, available lockers or remaining tickets.
Which London museums don’t allow suitcases?
The British Museum, National Gallery, Sir John Soane’s Museum and Imperial War Museum London all publish restrictions that rule out bringing suitcases. Plan storage elsewhere before joining an entrance queue, even for a short visit.
At the National Gallery, the restriction explicitly includes cabin-sized wheeled luggage. Its cloakroom is for eligible belongings, not a workaround for prohibited cases. Soane’s asks visitors not to bring luggage, including suitcases and large rucksacks; its smaller-bag cloakroom cannot solve that problem.
Imperial War Museum London has lockers, but wheeled cases and large luggage are prohibited. This is a useful example of why locker measurements alone are misleading. Even a case that appears to fit is not permitted under the separate admission rule.
London Museum Docklands prohibits large luggage. Wallace Collection and both Tate sites publish maximum sizes for items entering the building. Those limits need checking against your own bag; they do not establish a general permission for wheeled cases below the maximum.
Which London museums have cloakrooms or lockers?
Several do, but facilities differ in price, capacity and what they accept. A museum locker is normally a convenience during your visit, not a guaranteed replacement for commercial luggage storage.
Cloakrooms for eligible belongings
The Natural History Museum lists separate bag tariffs based on weight. V&A South Kensington publishes prices for small, cabin-sized and larger bags, with wheeled luggage excluded from galleries. For unusually large cases, ask about acceptance before travelling rather than relying on the larger-bag tariff.
The British Museum and National Gallery also charge for eligible bags, with member exceptions. Their suitcase bans still apply. Tate Britain confirms a cloakroom with limited space, but we could not confirm its current charges. Check the source linked in your result before budgeting for storage.
Lockers with different conditions
Wellcome Collection and Wallace Collection list free lockers. Young V&A confirms 24 free lockers, available first come, first served, but no facilities for large luggage. Free storage can be useful for a day bag without making the museum suitable for a suitcase stop.
Horniman’s current visitor information lists operational lockers requiring a refundable £1 coin. That replaces older advice about lockers being out of service. Imperial War Museum London and Guildhall Art Gallery also list refundable £1 locker deposits, while the Design Museum’s £1 locker charge is non-refundable.
Tate Modern’s Natalie Bell cloakroom has closed; its current visitor page lists paid lockers in the Blavatnik Building. Science Museum now lists card-only self-service lockers in three sizes. It advises leaving suitcases and larger items at home despite describing jumbo lockers that fit carry-on luggage. We have therefore kept wheeled-case admission unconfirmed.
Can you bring a backpack into a London museum?
A small day bag is often easier to accommodate than travel luggage, but backpacks and handbags are not always treated identically. Gallery protection matters as well as size: a backpack can knock an object when you turn around.
At the National Gallery, carry backpacks at your front or side in the collection. Backpacks and large bags must be stored for paid exhibitions. Hunterian Museum directs backpacks, rucksacks and suitcases into lockers. Measure your bag and check capacity; the museum does not promise that every suitcase will fit.
Queen’s House says backpacks cannot be worn and large bags cannot be carried around the house. That does not clearly establish every small-handbag scenario. Follow staff instructions, and ask directly if you need to keep medical supplies or other essentials with you.
Large hiking rucksacks deserve a separate check. Removing wheels does not automatically make a bulky travel bag acceptable. Security searches may apply even to a small handbag, and a special exhibition can impose tighter conditions than the permanent galleries.
Where can you leave luggage before visiting a London museum?
If you’re between checking out of your accommodation and catching a train or flight, leaving your suitcase elsewhere may be the easiest option. Some museums refuse wheeled luggage altogether; others have limited storage. Dedicated luggage storage can give you more flexibility, especially when visiting several attractions in one day.
Ask your hotel or hostel first, particularly if you’re returning there anyway. Otherwise, use our guide to luggage storage in London to compare options near major attractions and transport hubs. Choose somewhere that fits your route and collection time, rather than just the closest pin to a museum entrance.
Check opening hours, bag allowances and collection conditions before paying. A cheap booking is less useful if collecting your case means crossing London again. Keep your passport, medication and departure essentials with you, and leave enough time to retrieve your belongings before your train or flight.
For choosing an affordable day out, browse our best free museums in London. Our London on a Budget guide brings together wider planning ideas. Remember to include any storage charge when comparing two otherwise free visits.
Practical tips before visiting with bags
- Read the museum’s official policy before travelling, including any temporary visitor notices.
- Measure your packed bag, including handles and wheels, when dimensions are published.
- Never assume an airline-approved cabin case is museum-approved.
- Check whether a locker needs coins, a refundable deposit or card payment.
- Allow time for security checks without relying on a particular queue length.
- Have a backup plan because cloakrooms and lockers can reach capacity.
- Keep valuables with you and never leave bags unattended outside designated storage.
A “not confirmed” result means the published information did not establish the answer clearly enough. It is not permission and does not necessarily mean a ban. Ask the museum about your exact bag, specifying wheels and measurements, before making a journey that depends on acceptance.