UK Public Toilets Rank Among Most Expensive in Europe, Seaside Towns Top List
New data reveals average costs for public restrooms across the UK, with Penzance, Boston, and Blackpool showing the highest prices.
The cost of using public toilets in the United Kingdom is becoming a significant expense for many, with popular seaside towns often being the most expensive locations. A recent analysis of nationwide public toilet data found that the average cost for a charged-for restroom across the UK has reached 31 pence.
Penzance, a market town in Cornwall, has emerged as the priciest location, boasting an average cost of 40 pence for all its mapped toilets, both free and paid. In Penzance, every public toilet included in the dataset charges a fee, unlike other areas that may offer a mix of free and paid facilities.
Boston followed closely with an average cost of 21 pence, while Blackpool rounded out the top three at 17 pence. Blackpool, a major tourist destination, has 20 out of its 27 mapped toilets requiring payment.
The research, conducted by Fast Loans UK, analyzed data from the Toilet Map, considering both free facilities and the prices of paid toilets in September. The study highlighted Eastbourne on England's south-east coast as having the highest average price for its paid-for facilities, with a steep £1 per visit.
However, Eastbourne also provides numerous free options, meaning its overall average cost for all toilets is 16 pence, placing it fifth in the study. Other areas with high costs for paid facilities include Haywards Heath, also at £1, Newbury at 75 pence, and Hackney and Norwich at 60 pence.
Several towns also exhibit a high percentage of toilets that require payment. Lytham St Annes has 65% of its public toilets charging a fee, followed by Boston at 64.71% and Wolverhampton at 61.90%.
Coastal towns frequently appear in the rankings for the most expensive average costs, including Penzance, Blackpool, Lytham St Annes, Eastbourne, Fleetwood, Torquay, Scarborough, and Rhyl.
In contrast, some of the most affordable locations for paid public toilets include Banbury, Rochdale, West Bromwich, and Clydebank, where charges average just 10 pence. Manchester offers an average of 15 pence, while Edinburgh's average cost is 40 pence.