Object Loans

We loan objects to organisations across the globe, from single items to entire exhibitions.

The location of our objects currently out on loan can be viewed on our dedicated loans map page.

• All loans are subject to availability and our conditions of loan.
• All loan requests must be submitted in writing to the Royal Armouries Registrar.
• Requests should be made at least six months before the objects are required. Requests made less than six months before dispatch will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
• A request acknowledgement will be sent to you within three weeks of us receiving the request and a decision in principle should be made within six weeks.
• The Board of Trustees of the Armouries have the final decision and have the right to turn down any loan request.
  Loans will only be made to venues that have suitable environmental and security conditions.
• To determine this, a UK Registrar’s Group (UKRG) Facilities Report must be completed and the loan venue security must be approved by the Arts Council National Security Advisor, both arranged by the Royal Armouries.

Before requesting a loan, all borrowers should consider various factors that may affect associated costs:

• Packing
• Transportation and costs
• Loan inspection for longer loans
• Payment for or reimbursement of costs associated with the loan
• Loan administration fee for overseas loans and loans to private UK museums or commercial institutions

• Royal Armouries display mounts
• Packing and transport
• Courier travel and subsistence
• Photographic images
• Conservation work required during and immediately after the loan, should this be necessary.
• A loan inspection every three years (for 3 year renewable loans only)
• Some venues will be charged for staff time
• Insure each loan object for the value provided by the Royal Armouries
• Courier travel and expenses from and to the Royal Armouries and between venues, (Travelling exhibitions, whether in the UK or overseas)

Loans for longer term exhibitions on a three year renewal basis will require regular loan inspections, which will be conducted:

• Not more than once every three years
• By a member of the Royal Armouries staff

If you plan to move the loaned objects or renovate the gallery where they are displayed, you must contact us in advance to obtain permission. In some cases, it may be necessary to send a member of the Royal Armouries staff to supervise the movement of the loaned objects.

The borrower is responsible for all costs related to a loan inspection.

• It is the responsibility of the borrower to arrange and pay for packing and transport, with a company that has been approved by the Royal Armouries
• All transport must be carried out in line with the Government Indemnity Scheme transport conditions
• At least one Royal Armouries courier (more if necessary) will accompany all loans, to care for the objects during transit and install them on arrival.
• When a loan is returned, at least one Royal Armouries courier (more if necessary) will remove the loan objects from display then accompany and care for them during transit
• All couriers must travel in business class for rail journeys and flights in the UK or overseas

We recommended you consult the following useful documents for guidance before requesting to borrow an object from the Royal Armouries:

Royal Armouries external loans policy (pdf, 10 KB)

Royal Armouries loan charges booklet (pdf, 32 KB)

Royal Armouries borrower's questionnaire (pdf, 56 KB)

UK Government Indemnity Scheme guidelines for national museums (pdf, 577 KB)

UK Government Indemnity Scheme transport conditions (pdf, 156 KB)

UK Registrars Group security supplement (pdf, 306 KB)

UK Registrars Group display case supplement (pdf, 277 KB)

UK Registrars Group facilities report (pdf, 303 KB)

Alternative communication formats

Please contact our Communications Team if you require any of these documents in an alternative format.

We borrow objects from a wide range of places, people, and organisations. These loans enhance our collection and enable us to display objects not normally seen by the public and allow us to tell more engaging stories.

Objects we have borrowed have the prefix ‘AL’ in the accession number, the details of some of these can be found at our collection online website.