Accessible Toilets

Planning Ahead

Finding a clean, accessible toilet should not ruin your day out. London has thousands of accessible toilets in stations, shopping centres, museums, and public buildings. But many are locked, so you need to know how the system works before you arrive.

The RADAR National Key Scheme

Most locked accessible toilets across the UK use a single universal lock called the RADAR lock. One key opens them all. There are over 10,000 RADAR-locked toilets across the country, with hundreds in London alone.

Changing Places Toilets

Standard accessible toilets work for many people, but not everyone. Changing Places toilets are much larger and include:

• A ceiling hoist or mobile hoist
• An adult-sized, height-adjustable changing bench
• Enough space for a disabled person and up to two carers
• A centrally placed toilet (not against a wall)

London has a growing network of Changing Places toilets. You can find them at:

• Major train stations: King's Cross, Euston, Paddington, Waterloo, Victoria, London Bridge
• Shopping centres: Westfield Stratford, Westfield Shepherd's Bush, Brent Cross
• Museums and attractions: The British Museum, Tate Modern, the O2, Olympic Park
• Airports: Heathrow (all terminals), Gatwick, London City

Search the full list at the Changing Places website (changing-places.org) to plan your route around available facilities.

Finding Toilets on the Go

Two resources will help you locate accessible toilets in real time:

• The Great British Toilet Map (toiletmap.org.uk): A free, crowd-sourced map of public toilets across the UK. You can filter for accessible and Changing Places facilities.
• Flush app: Available on iOS and Android. Shows nearby public toilets with accessibility information.

The Community Toilet Scheme

Several London boroughs run a Community Toilet Scheme. Participating cafes, restaurants, and shops allow the public to use their toilets without making a purchase. Look for the sticker in the window. Many of these have accessible facilities.

Tips for Your Visit

• Museums and galleries almost always have accessible toilets. They are a reliable option when you are sightseeing.
• Department stores like John Lewis, Selfridges, and Marks & Spencer have well-maintained accessible toilets on multiple floors.
• Fast food chains including McDonald's, Pret A Manger, and Costa Coffee often have accessible toilets, though quality varies.
• If a venue's accessible toilet is out of order, staff are required to offer a reasonable alternative. Do not hesitate to ask.

For more on getting around the city, see our accessibility basics guide.