🚻 The Complete UK Public Toilet Guide

Last Updated: December 2025

Quick Summary (TL;DR)

The UK has over 40,000 public-access toilets including council facilities, Community Toilet Schemes, and transport hubs. Many are free, though some charge 20-50p. For wheelchair users, over 9,000 toilets use the RADAR key system (£4.50 from Disability Rights UK). Parents can find baby changing in most shopping centres and supermarkets (usually free). For night access, use major train stations, airports, motorway services, or hospital A&E departments. This guide covers everything you need to know about finding, accessing, and using public toilets anywhere in the UK.

📑 Table of Contents

1. UK Public Toilet Overview

Public toilet provision in the UK has changed significantly over the past 30 years. The number of council-operated public toilets has declined from approximately 10,000 in the 1990s to around 4,000-5,000 today due to budget cuts and austerity measures.

Key Statistics

• Council toilets: ~4,000-5,000 across the UK
• Community Toilet Schemes: ~5,000+ participating businesses
• Transport hub toilets: ~3,000 (stations, airports, services)
• Shopping centre toilets: ~8,000
• Total public-access toilets: ~40,000+
• RADAR-locked accessible toilets: ~9,000
• Changing Places facilities: ~1,800

To fill the gap left by council closures, Community Toilet Schemes have expanded, where businesses (cafes, pubs, shops) open their toilets to the public in exchange for a small council payment or recognition.

2. Types of Public Toilets in the UK

Type	Description	Typical Cost	Availability
Council Public Toilets	Traditional public conveniences operated by local councils	Usually free	Daytime hours (8am-6pm typical)
Community Toilet Scheme	Business toilets open to public (cafes, pubs, shops)	Free	Business opening hours
Automatic Public Convenience	Self-cleaning coin-operated units (Superloos)	20-50p	24/7
Train Station Toilets	Network Rail or TOC operated facilities	Free to 50p	Station hours (many 24hr)
Shopping Centre Toilets	Customer toilets in malls and retail parks	Usually free	Centre opening hours
Motorway Services	Welcome Break, Moto, Roadchef facilities	Free to 30p	24/7

3. How to Find Toilets in the UK

🔍 Digital Methods

• ToiletNearMe.co.uk - Our comprehensive UK toilet map
• Google Maps - Search "toilets near me"
• Flush App - iOS/Android toilet finder
• Great British Public Toilet Map - Crowdsourced data
• Changing Places website - For accessible facilities

📍 Physical Locations

• Town centre pedestrianised areas
• Parks and public gardens
• Transport hubs (stations, bus stations)
• Shopping centres and supermarkets
• Libraries and council buildings
• Museums and tourist attractions

💡 Pro Tip: Look for the Community Toilet Scheme Sticker

Businesses participating in Community Toilet Schemes display a sticker in their window. You can use their toilet without making a purchase. Common participants include Costa Coffee, Caffè Nero, and local independent businesses.

4. Accessibility & RADAR Keys

🔑 The RADAR Key System

The National Key Scheme (NKS), commonly known as RADAR, provides a universal key for over 9,000 locked accessible toilets across the UK. The key ensures facilities remain clean and available for disabled users.

How to Get a RADAR Key:

1. Visit shop.disabilityrightsuk.org
2. Complete the online form
3. Provide proof of eligibility
4. Pay £4.50 + postage
5. Key arrives by post (1-2 weeks)

Who Can Apply:

• People with physical disabilities
• People with hidden disabilities
• Those with IBD, Crohn's, colitis
• Anyone with urgent toilet needs
• Carers of disabled people

Types of Accessible Facilities

Standard Accessible Toilet: Wide doors, grab rails, emergency alarm (~8,000+ UK locations)
RADAR-Locked Toilet: Standard accessible + NKS key required (~9,000 UK locations)
Changing Places: Hoist, adult changing table, 12m² minimum (~1,800 UK locations)
Space to Change: Changing table without hoist (~200 UK locations)

→ Find accessible toilets near you

5. Facilities for Families

👶 Baby Changing Facilities

Baby changing facilities are widely available across the UK. Most are free to use, even where general toilet facilities charge. Fathers can use baby changing - most modern facilities are gender-neutral or in both male and female toilets.

Best Baby Changing Facilities

⭐ John Lewis / Waitrose (parent rooms)
⭐ IKEA (family rooms with high chairs)
⭐ Westfield shopping centres
⭐ Major museums (Natural History, etc.)
⭐ Airports (family-friendly terminals)

Standard Baby Changing

✓ Supermarkets (Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury's)
✓ Shopping centres
✓ Train stations
✓ Fast food restaurants
✓ Coffee chains (Costa, Starbucks)

→ Find baby changing facilities near you

6. 24-Hour & Night Access

Finding toilets at night can be challenging as most council facilities close by 6-8pm. However, several reliable options exist:

Location	Hours	Cost	Notes
Major Train Stations	24/7 (most)	Free-50p	Best option in city centres
Airports	24/7	Free	Cleanest facilities
Motorway Services	24/7	Free-30p	Free for HGV drivers
Hospital A&E	24/7	Free	Always accessible
24hr Supermarkets	24/7	Free	Purchase may be expected
McDonalds	Until 11pm-3am	Free	Usually allow non-customers

→ Find 24-hour toilets near you

7. Costs & Payment

FREE

Most council toilets, hospitals, Community Toilet Schemes, accessible toilets

20-30p

Many train stations, some automated toilets, motorway services

40-50p

Premium station facilities, some automated superloos

💡 Important: Accessible Toilets Are Usually Free

Under the Equality Act 2010, disabled people should have equal access. Most facilities that charge for standard toilets allow free access to accessible toilets for RADAR key holders.

8. Your Legal Rights

⚖️ Key Legislation

Equality Act 2010

Requires service providers to make "reasonable adjustments" for disabled people. This typically includes providing accessible toilet facilities and may include free access where standard facilities charge.

Public Health Act 1936

Gives local authorities powers (not duties) to provide public toilets. This is discretionary, which is why provision varies significantly between councils.

Building Regulations Part M

Sets minimum standards for accessible toilet design in new buildings, including door widths, grab rail placement, and turning space requirements.

What You Can Do If Refused Access:

Politely explain your disability or medical need
Show your RADAR key, Sunflower Lanyard, or medical card if applicable
Ask to speak to a manager
Note the business name, date, and what happened
Report to the Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS)
Consider leaving a review to help others

9. Tips & Best Practices

🎒 What to Carry

• RADAR key (if eligible)
• Small change (20p, 50p coins)
• Hand sanitizer
• Tissues/toilet paper (as backup)
• Medical card or Sunflower Lanyard

📱 Apps to Download

• Flush - Global toilet finder
• Great British Toilet Map app
• Changing Places locator
• Google Maps (search "toilets")
• National Rail app (station facilities)

✅ Before You Go Out

• Check toilet locations on your route
• Note opening hours for key facilities
• Identify 24-hour backup options
• Check if RADAR key is needed
• Save offline maps if going rural

🚨 Emergency Options

• NHS hospitals always have toilets
• Hotels often allow non-guests to use lobby toilets
• Department stores rarely refuse
• Fast food restaurants (even without purchase)
• Petrol stations on main roads

10. Regional Information

Public toilet provision varies significantly across the UK. Scotland generally has better provision than England, while London has the most toilets by volume but faces the highest demand.

London

1,000+ public toilets