Where to find the best London gallery and museum tote bags

We’re avid collectors of gallery and museum tote bags, and the London tote has become an iconic accessory. Since brands like Daunt Books launched their canvas totes in the early 2000s, the tote bag has been a must-have, with museums and galleries following suit with their own collections. To help you find your perfect tote, we’ve put together a guide to the coolest gallery and museum tote bags in London, many of which are also available online.

Courtauld Mini Tote Bag Orange Navy

Orange mini tote bag from The Courtauld Gallery. £4.50

#FLODown: This vibrant orange mini tote bag from The Courtauld Gallery, created for their current Monet exhibition. Made from 100% cotton and printed in the UK, it features The Courtauld’s logo in navy on the front. Compact yet practical, it is perfect as a lunch or mini gym bag.

Price: £4.50. Buy now.

Two Tone Barbican Tote Bag

Barbican two-tone tote yellow and blue tote bag. £6.

Barbican two-tone tote teal and yellow tote bag. £6.

#FLODown: The Barbican two-tone tote is a must-have, with the yellow and light blue, and teal and yellow combinations being particular favourites. They also offer several other colours, including purple, orange, and a black and white version.

Price: from £6.Buy now.

Art is a Serious Subject Tote Bag

The RA’s Art is a Serious Subject tote bag. £6.

#FLODown: The RA’s Art is a Serious Subject tote bag is a bold and meaningful statement piece supporting the importance of art education. Perfect for showing your support, it highlights the critical role of art in fostering creativity and problem-solving, which are vital both in schools and beyond. This tote is not just a stylish accessory but a call to action to bring art back into classrooms where it’s urgently needed.

Price: £6.50. Buy now.

Saatchi Gallery Tote Bag

Saatchi Gallery ‘This is art’ tote bag. Green and yellow. £6.

Saatchi Gallery classic neon style bad.

#FLODown: The popular Saatchi Gallery bag comes in two styles: the organic “tails” bag for £4, featuring neon-style orange and pink colours with the gallery’s name, and the newly launched block-colour bags that display “This bag is art” for £6. These are available in bold colours including, green, yellow, navy, and pink.

Price: from £4. Buy now.

V&A Tote Bag 

V&A floral tote bag. £8.59

#FLODown: The V&A Tote Bag is a true icon, offering everything from classic plaid designs to assorted fabric and exhibition-themed styles. Our current favourite from their collection is this bold floral design, and their mini tote bags from The Great Mughals collection are also well worth exploring.

Price: from £8.50. Buy now

I am a camera Tote Bag

‘I am a camera’ from The Photographer’s Gallery. £10

#FLODown: This black cotton tote bag from The Photographers’ Gallery features the phrase “I am a camera,” inspired by the opening of Christopher Isherwood’s 1939 novel Goodbye to Berlin. The design reflects the novel’s theme of passive observation, with the quote: “I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking… Some day, all this will have to be developed, carefully printed, fixed.” It was designed exclusively for The Photographers’ Gallery by Kit Grover.

Price: from £10. Buy now.

NPG Monogram Large Tote Bag in Red

NPG Monogram Large Tote Bag in Red at the National Portrait Gallery, £10.

#FLODown: We’re currently loving the vibrant orange National Portrait Gallery tote, which is branded as red but looks more orange to us. It comes in a larger blue version and smaller block-colour bags in red and blue. This tall, spacious tote features the NPG monogram in bright red, with matching long handles and gussets, perfect for carrying bulky items or all you need for a day out. Made from 100% recycled cotton.

Price: from £10. Buy now.

 ICA Tote Bag

ICA 2024 logo tote bag, £9.50.

#FLODown: The iconic Institute of Contemporary Arts has had numerous classic tote bags over the years, and their current design is no exception. Created by Sam Baraitser Smith, this tote features the striking ICA logo in white, screen-printed on both sides of the bag.

Price: £9.50. Buy now.

Design Museum Tote Bag 

Design Museum pocket tote bag.

Design Museum’s logo tote bag in block colours.

#FLODown: The Design Museum has a wide collection of tote bags, with our favourite being their latest signature pocket tote in orange. They also have a regular canvas style featuring the Design Museum logo in various block colours. While the pocket totes aren’t sold individually online, they are available as part of an exclusive souvenir bundle, which includes a pen and a book about the museum’s story. This bundle can be purchased through the Design Museum shop.

Price: From £6.

Chisenhale Tote Bag

Chisenhale Gallery Tote Bag, £10.

#FLODown: Support Chisenhale Gallery by purchasing the Chisenhale Tote Bag, designed by Studio Frith and available in colour or monochrome. All proceeds directly fund the gallery’s artistic programme. The bag can be purchased at the gallery—just ask at the front desk during your visit.

Price: £10. Buy now.

Tate Tote Bag

Tate logo tote bag, £6.

#FLODown: Another iconic tote from one of London’s legendary institutions, the Tate logo tote bag is a classic. We just wish they offered it in more bold block colours— a vibrant green would be perfect!

Price: from £6.Buy now.

Hayward Gallery Tote Bag

Southbank Centre tote bag, £10.

#FLODown: Hayward Gallery offers a range of tote bags, including classic black and white designs and exhibition-themed styles. Their new grey tote with ribbon design straps is a must-have. This bag is part of a collection celebrating the Southbank Centre’s iconic colours and typography, reflecting the diverse art forms showcased at the venue. We’re especially loving the version in yellow with straps that feature the Southbank Centre logo.

Price: £10. Buy now.  

Beryl Cook and Tom of Finland Bums Bag - House of Voltaire

All images © the artist, courtesy Cooke Latham Gallery. Photography by Jack Elliot Edwards.

#FLODown:  This fun limited-edition tote was created to celebrate Studio Voltaire’s major exhibition, Beryl Cook / Tom of Finland, which brought together the works of these two cultural icons for the first time. The tote features exhibition details on the front and artworks by both artists on the reverse. A few are still available online, so hurry before they’re all gone!

Price: £10. Buy now.