Gentlemen's Urinals in Britain - Britain All Over Travel Guide

Gentlemen’s Urinals in Britain

Gentleman’s urinals in Britain come in all shapes and sizes. Toilets for men and women are usually signed as ‘Ladies’ and ‘Gents’ or ‘Male’ and ‘Female’.

Gentlemen’s Urinals in Britain

History

The first public toilets appeared in Britain in the 1850’s and were almost exclusively male. The Ladies Sanitary Association was formed soon after to address this sexist and discriminatory imbalance. It was not until after World War I in 1918 that women’s toilets began to be built in workplaces and in public spaces.

Even today, public toilets do not enjoy a good reputation and as far as global bog standards apply, the UK has work to do to achieve the level of cleanliness enjoyed by the populations of such countries as South Korea and Japan.

Standard British urinals

The toilets shown in these pictures are of the stand and squirt variety with the third image showing a school toilet.

Urinals in Britain

The bowl or panel is usually ceramic though stainless steel toilets are often installed in pubs and football stadiums.

School urinals for boys

Public Toilets

Public toilets are normally free in the UK, though a small fee is often charged at large stations such as Piccadilly Station in Manchester and Euston Station in London.

If you want to use a toilet in Britain it is customary to enter a cafe and pub and either ask to use the facilities or order something and then do so.