4x4bob Posted July 12, 2017 #1 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Come Sept the Wife and I will spend 3 days in London prior to boarding ship at South Hampton. My question is: While riding the Hop On/Hop Off bus around the city how difficult will it be for two strangers visiting from a place far, far away to find Rest Rooms? And, will there be a charge for the use of? Thanks Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray66 Posted July 12, 2017 #2 Share Posted July 12, 2017 There are always free "rest rooms" in big department stores such as Marks and Spencers, John Lewis, Debenhams etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheezedr Posted July 12, 2017 #3 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Remember at least you speak the language, although it might be best to ask for the loo or the WC. Never had a problem in London. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrJ Berkshire Posted July 12, 2017 #4 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Also the Golden Arches of the American Embassy have many London locations all with available free and clean toilets. Pubs also are another good location to find toilets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bull Posted July 13, 2017 #5 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Also the Golden Arches of the American Embassy have many London locations all with available free and clean toilets. Pubs also are another good location to find toilets. The Ronald McDonald "embassies" ;) of which you speak were always a good bet anywhere in the world. But it seems that the world has been taking them for granted, & nowadays many (all?) have toilets with keycode entry doors. You may have to make a purchase, or ask a customer for the code, or hover near the toilets waiting for a customer to go in or out - if that last suggestion gets you arrested for soliciting I disclaim any responsibility :D Busy pubs, where they don't know who is a customer & who isn't. Toilets on the tube system are on the train side of the barriers, or charge a fee, or both. Harrod's dept store held the record for the most expensive toilets at £1 - and that was 20 or more years ago!!! JB :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4bob Posted July 13, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted July 13, 2017 To those who replied, some with tongue in cheek, Thanks. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotswold Eagle Posted July 13, 2017 #7 Share Posted July 13, 2017 TfL has recently added a "tube stations with toilets" map to its collection: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/toilets-map.pdf Main railway stations will have facilities too. Most will have change machines to get the correct coins for the fee (there are barriers, generally), usually 30p or 50p. But I agree with other posters, my go to loos in the West End will be in major stores. Not just department stores, but places like some of the larger bookstores and supermarkets. Also museums and galleries, of course. ps OP, it's Southampton, not South Hampton :) Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4bob Posted July 13, 2017 Author #8 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Cotswold Eagle. Thanks for the Map. I just printed it out and will take with me. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leongcpa Posted July 13, 2017 #9 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Large hotels are also generally a good bet. There is a public restroom near the Tower of London, which I think costs 50 pence to enter. It might be a GBP. I can't remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivesLikeMario Posted July 13, 2017 #10 Share Posted July 13, 2017 For most fast food restaurants, you do have to buy something, then enter the code on your receipt to use the restroom. It's a pain. For the train stations, if you don't have change, sometimes there will be a worker in the restroom and they are usually really nice about giving you change. The change machines don't always work. One of the first things you should do when you arrive in LHR is get a bottle of water or something that will give you at least 50p in change. I always keep 30p and 50p in my pocket when in London. Nothing is worse than having to go, not being able to find a restroom then not having change! Also, if you're looking for one - ask for the "toilets" even if it sounds a bit crass. A lot of Europeans don't understand "restrooms". ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted July 13, 2017 #11 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Come Sept the Wife and I will spend 3 days in London prior to boarding ship at South Hampton.My question is: While riding the Hop On/Hop Off bus around the city how difficult will it be for two strangers visiting from a place far, far away to find Rest Rooms? And, will there be a charge for the use of? Thanks Bob Always free in McDonald's. Free toilets in department stores,train and underground stations. Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted July 13, 2017 #12 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Remember at least you speak the language, although it might be best to ask for the loo or the WC. Never had a problem in London. Toilet. Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newport dave Posted July 13, 2017 #13 Share Posted July 13, 2017 For most fast food restaurants, you do have to buy something, then enter the code on your receipt to use the restroom. It's a pain. For the train stations, if you don't have change, sometimes there will be a worker in the restroom and they are usually really nice about giving you change. The change machines don't always work. One of the first things you should do when you arrive in LHR is get a bottle of water or something that will give you at least 50p in change. I always keep 30p and 50p in my pocket when in London. Nothing is worse than having to go, not being able to find a restroom then not having change! Also, if you're looking for one - ask for the "toilets" even if it sounds a bit crass. A lot of Europeans don't understand "restrooms". ;) Nothing 'crass' about asking for toilets. Just American over sensitivity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivesLikeMario Posted July 14, 2017 #14 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Nothing 'crass' about asking for toilets. Just American over sensitivity. That's coming from a man. :D As a woman, I find it a little crass or indelicate. It's a word I was raised not to say in public. But it's what people understand there, so you roll with it. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newport dave Posted July 14, 2017 #15 Share Posted July 14, 2017 That's coming from a man. :D As a woman, I find it a little crass or indelicate. It's a word I was raised not to say in public. But it's what people understand there, so you roll with it. ;) Just ask for the 'Ladies', people will know what you mean.. Sent from my VFD 900 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSWP Posted July 14, 2017 #16 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Thank goodness we had no references to ye olde 'Bog.':p The American term 'Restroom' is strange, when in the US of A, I never found any beds in the 'Gents.' :') Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted July 14, 2017 #17 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Thank goodness we had no references to ye olde 'Bog.':p The American term 'Restroom' is strange, when in the US of A, I never found any beds in the 'Gents.' :') In England we understand:- Toilet, Ladies,Gents or Loo. Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bull Posted July 14, 2017 #18 Share Posted July 14, 2017 The American term 'Restroom' is strange, when in the US of A, I never found any beds in the 'Gents.' :') Nor indeed in America have I ever found a bath in a public "bathroom". :confused: What a strange language those colonial cousins have. ;p JB :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare georgiacat Posted July 14, 2017 #19 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Look for the signs that say WC. The wife might wish to take a small pack of disposable wipes in her purse (or your backpack) for when the restrooms do not have toilet paper, or not up to your standards. At the least, always carry a tissue or two in your pocket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Got2Cruise Posted July 14, 2017 #20 Share Posted July 14, 2017 The w/c is not always free in McDonalds in my experience. They allow you to use them if you are a paying customer. Either there is a code on the receipt or you show your receipt. Another place that usually has public w/c is Starbucks. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4bob Posted July 14, 2017 Author #21 Share Posted July 14, 2017 As always this site is full of information from those "who have been there and done it". Or, information from those who live at the location and are willing to educate a fellow traveler. The suggestion to buy a bottle of water at the airport to get change is a very good one. I was going to wait until we arrived a the hotel to break down some bills into small change. Thanks to all who have taken the time to answer my question. Now have to wait for time to slowly go by until September. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrJ Berkshire Posted July 14, 2017 #22 Share Posted July 14, 2017 McDonald's is still largely free in the UK. I have never had the code issue in Britain or in Western Europe. So for an emergency is a reasonable option, equally the major coffee shops Costa, Starbucks, café Nero, pret-a-manger are possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare debsjc Posted July 14, 2017 #23 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Department stores and pubs are your best bet. I find in London almost all of the public toilets and train stations do charge now, not so much in the rest of the UK, but particularly in London. All the big parks have loos too, but many have a fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Got2Cruise Posted July 14, 2017 #24 Share Posted July 14, 2017 McDonald's is still largely free in the UK. I have never had the code issue in Britain or in Western Europe. So for an emergency is a reasonable option, equally the major coffee shops Costa, Starbucks, café Nero, pret-a-manger are possible. We were in Oxford last week. Nobody was allowed upstairs where the w/c located unless you showed receipt. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted July 14, 2017 #25 Share Posted July 14, 2017 We were in Oxford last week. Nobody was allowed upstairs where the w/c located unless you showed receipt. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Come to the beautiful North East of England and you will be welcome everywhere. Sent from my Kestrel using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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