Changing Places rooms have a toilet with space on both sides for a wheelchair user, plus a hoist and an adjustable changing bench.
Where this applies: Changing Places toilets
Toilet Index: what to expect from toilets abroad
United Kingdom
What to remember
- Toilet paperWater companies say to flush only pee, poo and toilet paper. Wet wipes and period products go in the bin.Varies by venueWhere this applies: Customers of Thames Water, United Utilities and Northern Ireland Water (household guidance)
- PayingMost public toilets in Britain are free, but some charge a small fee.Varies by venueWhere this applies: Britain (VisitBritain; the page does not cover Northern Ireland)
- Locked toiletsSome accessible toilets are locked and need a RADAR key. VisitBritain says keys open over 10,000 toilets in Britain and can be ordered online.Varies by venueWhere this applies: Britain (VisitBritain; the page does not cover Northern Ireland)
Sources: Thames Water, Northern Ireland Water, United Utilities, VisitBritain
Sit or squat
Network Rail says every one of the 20 stations it manages itself has an accessible toilet.
Where this applies: The 20 stations Network Rail manages itself (article of 13 November 2023)
Edinburgh Council lists an accessible toilet at 15 of its public toilets, and Changing Places rooms at four.
Where this applies: Edinburgh, council-run public toilets
If you need a seat: No source read says what fixture ordinary public toilets have. Accessible and Changing Places rooms have a toilet with space beside it for a wheelchair, and Network Rail says each of its 20 managed stations has an accessible toilet.
Accessible toilets: not covered yet.
Toilet paper
Paper supplied
Information unavailable
Where it goes
Water companies say to flush only pee, poo and toilet paper. Wet wipes and period products go in the bin.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Customers of Thames Water, United Utilities and Northern Ireland Water (household guidance)
Thames Water says wipes labelled flushable, biodegradable or plastic-free still belong in the bin.
Where this applies: Thames Water guidance
Water and controls
Information unavailable
Fees and access
Most public toilets in Britain are free, but some charge a small fee.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Britain (VisitBritain; the page does not cover Northern Ireland)
Toilets at the 20 stations Network Rail manages itself are free to use.
Where this applies: The 20 stations Network Rail manages itself (article of 13 November 2023)
TfL says toilets are at 145 of its sites, and Elizabeth line customer toilets are free to use.
Where this applies: London, Transport for London sites (release of 30 October 2024)
City of London staffed toilets at Paternoster and Tower Hill cost £1, except for RADAR key holders.
Where this applies: City of London: Paternoster and Tower Hill (page updated 2 November 2026)
In the City of London, shops and cafes with a window sign let the public use their toilets free in trading hours.
Where this applies: City of London Community Toilets Scheme (page last updated 26 March 2021)
Where it varies
Some accessible toilets are locked and need a RADAR key. VisitBritain says keys open over 10,000 toilets in Britain and can be ordered online.
Varies by venueWhere this applies: Britain (VisitBritain; the page does not cover Northern Ireland)
On London's TfL network, some accessible toilets need a RADAR key, and station staff can unlock them.
Where this applies: London, Transport for London stations (release of 30 October 2024)
Edinburgh's council toilets have set opening hours and may close at short notice or for repairs.
Where this applies: Edinburgh, council-run public toilets
Sources
- Changing Places ConsortiumChanging Places Toilets
- Network RailFree toilets at Britain's biggest railway stations
- The City of Edinburgh CouncilPublic toilets
- Thames WaterWorking together to prevent blockages
- Northern Ireland WaterNI Water supporting Unblocktober and flushing out bad habits!
- United UtilitiesCustomers urged to bin all wet wipes to help protect the environment
- VisitBritainUseful information
- Transport for LondonTransport for London announces bold plans to grow and improve toilet provision
- City of London CorporationPublic Toilets
- City of London Family Information ServiceCommunity Toilets Scheme
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