Luggage storage at London’s Science Museum: your 2023 guide
So you’ve decided to visit the amazing Science Museum in London. Great choice! All you’ll see in our guide below are some truly amazing things to see and experience here. What’s for sure, though, is that you won’t want to be dragging around heavy luggage. Check out our guide on luggage storage at the London Science Museum. But first, a little bit of information about this awesome spot, and remember – you’ll enjoy it most hands-free!
The Science Museum is a really cool place to visit if you’re in London. It’s located in the South Kensington area and has a stunning building with beautiful details that make it look extremely grand. The building was originally meant to be temporary but became permanent because of the museum’s popularity and importance. In 2019, the museum was renovated to make it more accessible and modern for visitors.
The Science Museum has been around for a long time, since the mid-19th century when it was part of the South Kensington Museum. It became an independent institution in 1909 and is now dedicated to advancing science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine. The museum has an amazing collection of over 325,000 objects, including things like the oldest surviving steam locomotive and a replica of the DNA double helix structure.
When you visit the Science Museum, you can explore seven floors of galleries, each with a different theme related to science and technology. The exhibits are really interactive and fun, so you can learn while you play! The museum also has educational programs and special events throughout the year. If you’re interested in space exploration, medicine, or anything related to science and technology, the Science Museum is definitely worth a visit – and tickets are free!
Does the Science Museum have luggage storage?
The Science Museum does provide self-service left luggage storage lockers on the -1 level of the building for visitors with luggage. The prices for luggage storage are as follows:
Small—£3.00: For storing coats and hand-sized items (35cm H, 25cm W, 43cm D) Medium—£5.00: Fits backpacks and smaller luggage (43cm H, 33cm W, 43cm D) Large—£7.00: Here, you can leave carry-on luggage and medium-sized baggage (53cm H, 40cm W, 43cm D).
The Museum warns that anything larger than the above specifications won’t be accepted. However, there are other options to drop off your luggage. Besides hotels, luggage storage apps such as Nannybag, Stasher, Bounce, and LugaggeHero allow you to store larger items for a longer period of time than a locker at the Science Museum. These services have partner locations all around London, so why not simply enter your location, in this case, the Science Museum, and see where’s nearby? You’ll simply have to select somewhere convenient nearby, pick a drop-off point, then enjoy the museum hands-free!
The main criteria you should consider when booking luggage storage
The price is perhaps the most important thing for anyone looking to store bags at a left luggage service. This price to book can vary wildly depending on a few different criteria. If you’re at a location like a train station or airport, there might be a storage service on location. Major train stations and airports in London are run by a company called the Excess Baggage Company. This company will charge £15 per day per item. So while their location at train stations and airports might be handy, their price is quite high. Other options like Bounce, LuggageHero, and Stasher are much cheaper, but you can often be surprised by hidden fees you didn’t expect at checkout.
All in all, when it comes to price, Nannybag luggage storage might be your safest bet. Their price of only £6 per item is among the very cheapest. But what’s even better is that this is a flat price. There are no hidden fees or extra charges once you pay this fee.
How long can I store luggage?
Another important criterion is the duration of storage you book. Different storage options allow you to keep items in storage for longer or shorter periods. For example, the Excess Baggage Company allows you to keep items for up to three hours. Though at £7.50, this is more expensive than other services’ full-day price. LuggageHero allows you to store items at an hourly rate of £1.59. This can be handy but works out as more expensive for anything longer term than just a couple of hours. On the other end of the scale, you may well find that you need to keep items in long-term storage. Many services have a time limit on how long you can keep an item, so do check this beforehand. You may find that you will need a long-term storage unit rental service.
Also, security is, of course, very important when it comes to luggage storage services. Naturally, all luggage storage services that have been discussed above have security measures in place to keep your items safe. For example, the Excess Baggage Company has manned offices and CCTV cameras at storage locations. Meanwhile, Nannybag has verified partner locations where your bags are kept under lock and key and biodegradable safety tags on your luggage so that it won’t be tampered with. Nannybag luggage storage and some other services also have financial compensation in the unlikely event that something bad does happen to one of your items.
Finally, as a quick note, often the best luggage storage option for you is the one that’s in the nearest and most convenient location! So wherever you find yourself needing to store some bags, in London or further afield, a quick internet search before booking any storage spaces will tell you where you can drop your luggage off.
What to do and see at the London Science Museum
The Science Museum in London is one of the most loved and popular Museums in the city, and with good reason. There is truly a wealth of fun and fascinating things to do and see here. We’ve compiled a list of some of the free entry must-sees when you pop in for a visit and once you have your tickets and are luggage-free!
The Apollo 10 command module
This is the actual spacecraft that orbited the Moon in 1969 as part of the Apollo program. You can see it up close and marvel at the technology that made the Moon landing possible.
The Energy Hall
This exhibit explores the history of energy production, from the earliest steam engines to the latest renewable technologies. It’s a great way to learn about how we’ve harnessed the power of nature to fuel our modern lives.
The Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery
This interactive gallery is perfect for kids and adults alike. You will experiment with light and sound, learn about electricity and magnetism, and even launch a hot air balloon! This truly interactive exhibition space will be sure to ignite your curiosity and creativity.
The Clockmakers’ Museum
This collection of historic clocks and watches is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of timekeeping. You’ll see everything from ancient sundials to the latest atomic clocks. It’s the world’s oldest collection of clocks and watches and has only recently moved to the Science Museum
The Flight Gallery
This exhibit explores the history of aviation, from the earliest gliders to modern jet planes. You’ll see historic aircraft like the Spitfire and the Concorde and learn about the science of flight.
Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries
This exhibit tells the story of medicine from ancient times to the current times. You’ll see everything from Roman surgical tools to the latest medical technologies and learn lots about some of the most complicated and incredible medical science through easy-to-understand presentations.
Mathematics: The Winton Gallery
This gallery is a stunning celebration of the beauty and power of mathematics. You’ll see objects like the Enigma machine, which was used to crack secret codes during World War II, and this is a must-visit for anyone who has a particular interest in numbers.
The Information Age
This exhibit explores the history of communication and information technology. You’ll see everything from telegraph machines to the latest smartphones.
This list is based on our recommendations, but feel free to ask the staff for more advice while at the museum!
Downloading the best luggage storage app will change the way you travel!
We think that Nannybag is the best option for luggage storage for a few reasons. Nannybag offers a flat rate for safe bag storage, which is a great feature. It costs only £6 per item per day, which is much cheaper than other options. Unlike competing services like Bounce and LuggageHero, Nannybag doesn’t have any surprise fees. Simply book online. You only have to pay the cheap price without any extra charges.
If you need to store luggage anywhere in London, Nannybag is a great choice because they have over 50 locations in the city where you will leave your luggage. And using their app or website is very easy. Simply enter your location (like the Science Museum), and the app will show you nearby Nanny locations where you can store your bags. Booking a spot is quick and easy, and you can reserve a time and be on your way without any hassle.
Also, it’s a really secure luggage storage service. All their partner locations have been thoroughly vetted to ensure they are legitimate, and your bags are kept in locked storage rooms. They even use biodegradable seals to keep your bags closed up tight, and there’s a €1000 financial safety net in the unlikely case anything does happen to your items.
Nannybag has received great reviews from satisfied customers. They have over 10,500 reviews on Trustpilot and over 600 on Google, with high ratings of 4.6 stars and 4.7 stars, respectively. This shows that travelers who have used the service have been very impressed and find it extremely helpful.
FAQ
Where is the London Science Museum?
The London Science Museum is located in the South Kensington area of London, with access at Exhibition Road, London SW7 2DD.
How much are tickets to the Science Museum of London?
General admission tickets to the Science Museum of London are free, but some special exhibitions may require an admission fee to book. Visitors can make a voluntary donation to support the museum’s work if they wish. Book your ticket online to skip the queue!
Which transport serves the Science Museum?
The Science Museum is served by several forms of public transportation, including the London Underground South Kensington station, on the District, Circle, and Piccadilly lines. If you’re going by bus, the 4, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430, and C1 buses stop outside South Kensington Underground Station. Bus routes 9, 10, 52, 452, and 70 stop outside the nearby Royal Albert Hall.
Is the Science Museum open every day?
Yes, apart from certain public holidays, the museum is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. Visitors are expected to book their tickets online ahead of their visit.
Can I pay to leave my luggage in the museum’s cloakroom?
Yes, there are left luggage lockers at the museum that you can use for a fee. Small lockers cost £3, medium £5, and large lockers cost £7. However, the museum warns that any very large suitcases may not fit in the large lockers, so alternatives may need to be arranged.
Feel free to hit the comment section with your questions!
Make also sure to check reviews of other travelers as they tell their experience finding their very own luggagehero! Those can be quite helpful when it comes to making an informed choice for luggage storage points where to store a bag or several luggage items.