📖 UK Public Toilet Glossary
Quick Reference: This glossary defines 17 key terms related to UK public toilets, including RADAR key (universal disabled toilet key, £4.50), Changing Places (accessible facilities with hoists for complex needs), Community Toilet Schemes (businesses opening toilets to public), and accessibility standards under the Equality Act 2010. Use this page to understand toilet signage, access schemes, and your rights.
Clear definitions of UK public toilet terminology, accessibility features, and access schemes.
Who This Glossary Is For:
- ✅ Anyone confused by toilet signage or terminology
- ✅ Disabled people learning about access schemes
- ✅ Carers and support workers planning outings
- ✅ Council staff and facilities managers
- ✅ Visitors to the UK unfamiliar with local terms
Quick Navigation
RADAR Key
Also known as: NKS Key, National Key Scheme Key, Disabled Toilet Key
A universal access key for locked disabled toilets across the UK, also known as the NKS (National Key Scheme) key. The RADAR key costs £4.50 from Disability Rights UK and works at over 9,000 locked accessible toilet facilities in train stations, shopping centres, motorway services, and public venues. Anyone with a disability, chronic illness, or medical condition requiring urgent toilet access can apply.
→ Find RADAR key toiletsChanging Places
Also known as: Changing Places Toilet, CP Facility
Enhanced accessible toilet facilities designed for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities or complex physical disabilities. Changing Places include an adult-sized height-adjustable changing bench, ceiling track hoist for safe transfers, peninsula toilet with space on both sides, a minimum of 12 square metres floor space, and a privacy screen. There are over 1,800 registered Changing Places facilities across the UK.
→ Find Changing Places facilitiesCommunity Toilet Scheme
Also known as: CTS, Partner Toilet Scheme, Use Our Loos
A partnership between local councils and businesses (cafes, shops, pubs) where private facilities are opened to the public during opening hours. Businesses receive a small payment or recognition from the council, and display a sticker in their window. Community Toilet Schemes help fill gaps where traditional public toilets have closed. Examples include the Lewisham Community Toilet Scheme and Manchester's scheme.
→ View council resourcesAccessible Toilet
Also known as: Disabled Toilet, Wheelchair Accessible Toilet, Mobility Toilet
A toilet designed for use by people with disabilities or mobility impairments. UK accessible toilets must meet Building Regulations Part M standards, including minimum 850mm wide doors, adequate turning space for wheelchairs, grab rails on both sides of the toilet, emergency alarm cord, accessible-height fixtures, and contrast between fittings and background for visually impaired users.
→ Find accessible toiletsBaby Changing Facility
Also known as: Nappy Changing Room, Baby Change, Parent Room
A dedicated area in a toilet for changing babies' nappies. Standard facilities include a fold-down changing table with safety strap, nappy disposal bin, and hand washing facilities. Premium parent rooms may include bottle warming, feeding chairs, and high chairs. Most UK baby changing facilities are free to use, even in paid toilet areas.
→ Find baby changing facilities24-Hour Toilet
Also known as: 24/7 Toilet, All-Night Toilet, Overnight Toilet
A public toilet that remains open and accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The most reliable 24-hour toilets in the UK are found at major train stations, airports, motorway service stations, NHS hospitals, and 24-hour police stations. Some may have brief cleaning closures but maintain overnight access.
→ Find 24-hour toiletsPublic Convenience
Also known as: Public Toilet, Public Lavatory, Public WC, Municipal Toilet
The official British term for a public toilet provided by local authorities. Public conveniences are typically funded by local councils and may be staffed or automated. Many traditional public conveniences have closed due to budget cuts, leading to Community Toilet Schemes as alternatives.
→ Find public toiletsAutomatic Public Convenience (APC)
Also known as: Superloo, Automatic Toilet, Self-Cleaning Toilet
A self-cleaning, coin-operated public toilet that automatically sanitises between uses. APCs are common in UK city centres and typically charge 20-50p per use. They include automatic door locks, timed entry (usually 15-20 minutes), and self-cleaning floor and toilet systems.
→ Find public toiletsMotorway Services
Also known as: Service Station, Rest Area, MSA (Motorway Service Area)
Rest areas on UK motorways that provide toilets, food, and fuel. All motorway service areas must provide free toilet facilities for HGV drivers and wheelchair users, though some charge 30-50p for standard facilities. Major operators include Welcome Break, Moto, and Roadchef. Service stations are typically open 24 hours.
→ Find motorway servicesSpace to Change
Also known as: Accessible Changing Facility
A facility standard between a standard accessible toilet and a full Changing Places. Space to Change facilities include an adult changing table but not a ceiling hoist, making them suitable for people who need a changing surface but can transfer without a hoist. They require approximately 6-8 square metres.
→ Find accessible facilitiesPeninsula WC
Also known as: Peninsula Toilet
A toilet with clear floor space on both sides, allowing carers to assist from either side during transfers. Peninsula toilets are a key feature of Changing Places facilities and are essential for people who need two-person assistance.
→ Find Changing PlacesAmbulant Accessible
Also known as: Ambulant Disabled Toilet
A toilet cubicle designed for ambulant disabled people who can walk but may have difficulty using standard facilities. Ambulant accessible toilets typically feature grab rails and may have slightly wider doors, but don't have the full space requirements of wheelchair-accessible toilets.
→ Find accessible toiletsGender-Neutral Toilet
Also known as: Unisex Toilet, All-Gender Toilet
A toilet facility that can be used by people of any gender. Gender-neutral toilets are typically individual enclosed rooms rather than cubicles. They benefit transgender and non-binary people, parents with children of a different gender, and carers assisting someone of a different gender.
→ Find toilets near youComfort Scheme
Also known as: Toilet Partnership
An arrangement where businesses allow non-customers to use their toilet facilities, sometimes in exchange for a small council subsidy. Similar to Community Toilet Schemes but may be less formal. Common in tourist areas and town centres.
→ View council resourcesAttended Toilet
Also known as: Staffed Toilet, Supervised Toilet
A public toilet with an attendant present during operating hours. Attended toilets are typically cleaner and safer than unattended facilities, though increasingly rare due to budget cuts. They may charge a fee or accept tips.
→ Find public toiletsSUNFLOWER Lanyard
Also known as: Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, Sunflower Scheme
A green lanyard with sunflower pattern worn to indicate a hidden disability. While not toilet-specific, wearers may use it to access accessible toilets without having to explain their disability. Recognised at airports, supermarkets, and many public venues across the UK.
→ Find accessible toiletsEquality Act 2010
Also known as: EA 2010, Disability Equality Law
UK legislation that protects disabled people from discrimination. Under the Act, service providers must make 'reasonable adjustments' for disabled customers, including providing accessible toilet facilities where possible. The Act replaced the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
→ Learn about accessible toiletsRelated Resources
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