Public toilets in York

As a mum of three kids and a family who loves to travel, I know how much precious trip time can be wasted looking for public toilets in York (or any new destination). 

Plus, if you have to pay for each child to use a public toilet, the costs can quickly add up! 

That’s why I wrote this round up of toilets in York to save you time, money and stress on your trip to York. 

Thankfully, there are several public toilets in York (or for my U.S readers, bathrooms in York) that you can use for free. 

Public toilets in York are mostly in the pedestrianised city centre and, as it is quick and easy getting around York, you will never be far away from a public toilet. 

 

Best free public toilets in York

 

Marks and Spencer’s department store 

Parliament Street/Pavement, YO1 8NB

These clean, free segregated toilets are located on the top floor of this popular department store. You can use the escalators or lift to reach the top floor. The toilets are at the back of the menswear section adjacent to the Bureau de Change.  

There is also a baby change and nursing area plus three toilets for visitors with disabilities.

As these loo’s are some of the best public toilets York has to offer, (particularly if you’re visiting York with kids) there can often be a long queue to use them. Plus, due to the location of the toilets, they are not the best ‘pop in’ option for visitors seniors or visitors with disabilities. However, I do think that these are the best disabled toilets in York so will be worth the effort to get to. 

A local’s tip – After your toilet trip, pop into the M&S cafe on the same floor. There is a fabulous view of York Minster from the cafe’s windows.

 

Brown’s department store 

Davygate, adjacent to St. Sampson’s Square at the top of Parliament Street, YO1 8QT

Brown’s department store is a York institution. It sits in the heart of the city centre, a few minutes walk from Betty’s Tea Rooms.

There is a single, unisex accessible toilet on the ground floor at the back of the womenswear section. This easy to get to toilet is probably one of the best toilets for seniors in York. 

Although this toilet is primarily for use by people with disabilities, it is also ideal for single parents visiting York. I know from experience that it is one of the few toilets in York big enough to bring a pushchair into. 

Further toilets are available on the first floor next to the cafe which can be reached by stairs or escalators. 

 

Fenwick’s department store

Coppergate, near Jorvik Viking Centre, YO1 9WY

 

Take the lift or escalator from the ground floor to reach the first floor. Follow the signs for the toilets which are located at the back of the shop behind the restaurant. 

It can be a bit of a trek to reach these toilets with a child who is desperate to go but these toilets are always immaculately clean. Plus, there is rarely a queue to use them. 

Picturehouse Cinema

Coney Street (look for the big clock), YO1 9QL

Visitors to York can use the free toilets in the basement of the Picturehouse Cinema in York.  When you through the front doors, turn right and look for the stairs or lift to reach the basement.

You do not need to buy a cinema ticket to use the toilets!

 

York Explore 

Museum Street, next to Museum Gardens, YO1 7DS

York Explore is a large city centre public library. It is adjacent to Museum Gardens so these toilets are a great option if you get caught short whilst exploring the gardens.

The toilets are on the first floor and are accessed by stairs or by a lift. There are baby change facilities available too. 

The library is open seven days a week from 9 am to 8 pm and from 10 am to 6 pm on a Friday. The toilets and library are open from 9 am to 5 pm on a Saturday and from 11 am to 4 pm on a Sunday.

A local’s tip – York Explore is a great place to rest weary feet for a while. It is free to all visitors, has a colourful kids section plus a great cafe. 

 

York Railway Station 

Station Rise, YO24 1AB

There are large public toilets on the station’s main concourse plus extra toilets in the Waiting Rooms near Platform 6.

The gents toilets are located next to York Tap pub whilst the ladies can enjoy recently opened toilets located near the main information screens. If you are visiting York by train, use the loo’s before heading into the city centre.  

 

Fee paying public toilets in York 

There are fee paying public toilets on Rougier Street (YO1 6JB) and on Silver Street next to The Shambles market (YO1 8RY).

The Silver Street toilets include a toilet for people using wheelchairs and baby change facilities. They are a great option if you are visiting York at Christmas as they are just round the corner from the Christmas market.  

St Leonard’s Place (YO1 7EW) adjacent to Bootham Bar and opposite York Art Gallery has a set of paid public toilets set into the city walls.

Generally, these privately managed fee paying public toilets in York cost 40p per person. If you are a family visiting York it could cost you a couple of pounds per trip to the loo so, if you are visiting York on a budget, use one of the free toilets mentioned above. 

York public toilets are generally clean and well looked after but they are not open 24/7. Many have seasonal opening times which, confusingly, differ from toilet to toilet.

For example, the Silver Street toilets are open from 8 am to 6 pm in winter. In summer the toilets are open from 9 am to 7 pm. 

For ease, cleanliness and safety, I always advise using one of the free public toilets listed above.

 

Toilets in York in public car parks 

 

There are fee paying public toilets in several York car parks including St. George’s Field car park next to the River Ouse near Clifford’s Tower (YO10 4AB). Other options include Nunnery Lane car park near Micklegate (YO23 1AA) and Coppergate shopping centre (YO1 9NT).

You will also find free toilets in each of York’s Park and Ride car parks.

 

Public toilets in York FAQ’s 

 

Do all public toilets in York have a baby change?

No, unfortunately not all York public toilets have baby change facilities and even fewer have baby change facilities that aren’t in female toilets. As a mum, I recommend using the toilets in M&S, Fenwick’s or Brown’s if you want to change your baby.

 

Are York’s toilets gender segregated?

Yes, public toilets in York centre are currently gender segregated.

 

Can I use a toilet in a pub, cafe or restaurant for free?

The usual rule is that if you wish to use a public toilet in York city centre cafes, restaurants or pubs, then you must be a paying customer. However, I have found that pubs in particular do not mind you using their toilet if you ask nicely!

Can I use a toilet in a hotel for free?

Again, most hotels usually state that toilets are for customers only. However, if you are elderly, pregnant, or travelling with kids, I think it will be highly unlikely that York’s famous hospitality will refuse to let you use their loo.

Do York city centre attractions have toilets?

Yes, you will find a public toilet in all York city centre attractions. However, most toilets aren’t near the entrance so you will need to be a paying customer in order to use them.

You can find public toilets in York Minster, Jorvik and all the major museums. You can even find a fee paying toilet in York city walls near Bootham Bar.

 

I hope this brief but comprehensive guide to public toilets in York helps you during your trip to my city!