60p for visits to the toilet !

Some friends recently in Lake District. 60p at Buttermere. She ducked under after her partner went through.

It does annoy me as, after all, in these tourist locations you are already contributing a fair whack to the local economy.

Spending a penny indeed. I hope you your money's worth. An update to my great aunt's favourite poem:
'Here I sit broken hearted,
Paid 60p but only farted'!

Yes, I noticed that when we were there last year, (it was 40p then) and also in Wales this year.
Spending a penny has certainly been hit by inflation!

I know what you mean about inflation but if it means the toilets are kept well stocked with paper and soap and are clean then I would rather that than a free one which leaves much to be desired.

Don’t go to Oslo with a weak bladder, it’s over a pound a go!

If paying 60p means that the loos are cleaned regularly and stocked with soap and loo paper then that's fine by me. Being a washroom attendant/cleaner is a thankless task. I wouldn't want it.

I think it’s disgraceful and it also impedes quick entry. Do they charge for disabled loos? I have a number of bowel conditions, combine mean when I have to go, I really have to go, that immediate minute!

I've always thought it should be free to pee! However over the last few decades facilities have been removed. And some were pretty disgusting. So, like JenniferEccles, it might guarantee being cleaned and stocked and doors repaired. I've sat on many a loo where I've stuck my leg out to hold the door shut. 🤣

I think you can carry a card Cossy to show your need is urgent. I've heard a few people do that.

Here's the other side of the coin.
Last century :-) we lived in a tourism hotspot in Stirlingshire.

During an economy drive, the local council decided to close all public toilets.

As a result, naice tourists went to the local pub and used the facilities provided for its customers. Even if they weren't buying a drink or food. This forced the landlord to provide more hot water, soap, paper, manpower and materials for cleaning the lavs, basins and floors.. The massive increase in demand cost him hundreds of pounds a week.

Not-nice tourists used local residents gardens, including mine.

Sarnia

If paying 60p means that the loos are cleaned regularly and stocked with soap and loo paper then that's fine by me. Being a washroom attendant/cleaner is a thankless task. I wouldn't want it.

I agree. We think nothing of paying £3 or £4 for a coffee say, but expect free, clean, well stocked loos.

Why do you think it should be free? Public toilets are usually pretty disgusting and I guess they have been closed because of this. Who wants to clean public toilets for minimum wage anyway.
I clean offices where social workers work and those toilets can be pretty grim sometimes. I wouldn't want to clean up after the general public for £12 and hour. So if you want clean facilities then you have to pay more for them.

I detest those where it's only possible to pay by card or phone. I understand all loos can't be free, there are repairs and maintenance and cleaning costs, + the wages for those workers, OK, no problem.

I've been to various areas over the years where they're not either free or use cash.

Even though I'm not disabled, I bought a RADAR key online for emergencies! I tried to buy one from a Tourist Information Centre, but they needed proof of a disability, like a Blue Badge, various medical reports, etc., so online I went with no questions asked!

One time up in Scotland, there were only card/phone loos, and I was absolutely desperate to go; that's why I stopped the car, hoping for a free or cash loo, and there were no RADAR loos.

In the end, I sneaked into the leisure centre, thankfully, the woman on the desk was busy and didn't appear to notice me as I casually but quickly walked in looking for a loo ... ANY loo ...! Found them, then managed to sneak back out with the desk woman seeing me!

I meant desk woman not seeing me!

I’ve no problem paying at all, as others have said, that ubiquitous ‘someone’, has to clean and maintain them.
I’ve had to stop and ask in a pub or cafe on a long journey before now, I always put £1 donation in their charity or staff tip box..

Thats just brought back a picture of the public toilets by the bandstand at Broadstairs. Seventy years ago. Tiled floors. Mahogany doors. Shining brass door locks. Shining brass
Engaged /Vacant and penny slot box.

Hot water soap and I suppose a roller towel. Everything as clean as could be. That was value for money.

What is a 1950s one penny worth now? I must Google. And the answer is 45p so not far off 60p.

Like other PP I would rather pay 60p and have a clean loo.

What’s wrong with them ? We never charge here. I think it is unacceptable to charge for essential services like that.

Aveline

Spending a penny indeed. I hope you your money's worth. An update to my great aunt's favourite poem:
'Here I sit broken hearted,
Paid 60p but only farted'!

Here I sit, mean and artful,
paid 60p and done a cart full. (Yes I know it's "did" but it sounds more sneaky with "done")

In Bulgaria you paid the lady on the door and she handed you one sheet of toilet paper.☹

Come to Loughborough - ours have been refurbished and are only 50p!

To be fair, our lakes are not quite so good.

Same in Romania. ONE sheet!

One sheet! Oh dear. Luckily I always have all sorts of tissues and wipes iny handbag.

If you’re in the south west I recommend a trip to Watchet. Pristine toilets free of charge. We both must have looked foolish yesterday trying to work out where to pay 😂

IIRC a friend had to pay €2 in Rome or Florence.