Find Clean Public Toilets in London
London's public toilet landscape has changed dramatically — most council-run facilities have closed over the past two decades. But with the right knowledge, finding a clean loo is still very doable.
Neighborhoods
West End / Covent Garden
Department stores are your best bet: Liberty, Selfridges, and John Lewis all have excellent facilities.
South Bank
The National Theatre has clean, free restrooms even if you're not seeing a show. The Tate Modern and Southbank Centre also have free facilities.
City of London
One New Change shopping centre near St Paul's has good restrooms. The Barbican Centre has free facilities.
Shoreditch / Brick Lane
Boxpark Shoreditch has restrooms on the ground floor. Old Spitalfields Market has facilities.
Local Tips
The Community Toilet Scheme means participating cafes and shops allow public access to their restrooms — look for the sticker in the window.
Underground (Tube) stations generally do not have restrooms. Plan accordingly.
Many museums are free and have clean restrooms — the British Museum, Natural History Museum, V&A, and Science Museum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are public toilets free in London?
Most London public toilets charge a small fee — typically 20–50p — especially in tourist areas and at major train stations like King's Cross and Victoria. Some borough-run facilities are free. Department stores like John Lewis and Marks & Spencer offer free, high-quality customer toilets. When you rate a place in Throne Score, you can tag it Needs Code and add a private note about any fee, so you remember next time.
Where are the best public toilets in the West End?
The West End has several good options: the facilities in Covent Garden Piazza, the underground toilets at Leicester Square (small fee), and inside major shops on Oxford Street like Selfridges and John Lewis.
Are there free toilets near the South Bank?
Yes — the Southbank Centre (Royal Festival Hall) has free public toilets available during opening hours, as does Tate Modern. Borough Market nearby has facilities on market days. The National Theatre is also a reliable free option. Use the Throne Score app to compare nearby estimated scores when Google ratings are available.
What's the toilet situation at London's major train stations?
All major London termini (Waterloo, Paddington, King's Cross, Victoria, Liverpool Street) have paid toilets — typically 30–50p. They're generally clean and well-maintained. Use the Throne Score app to compare nearby estimated scores when Google ratings are available.
Is there an app for finding clean Toilets in London?
Yes. Throne Score is free on iPhone and iPad: a color-coded map of nearby places with estimated scores, one-tap Emergency Mode to the nearest open restroom, and 10-second ratings that stay on your phone. No account.