The Loo Tour: Art Meets Function

London, United Kingdom

3 hours

1 - 6 People

8 Reviews

Details

This tour is perfect for the immensely practical tourist with a sense of humour and an interest in hygiene.

My own interest in toilets fountained from a very practical mission to avoid the 30p (and upwards!) fee that many public toilets charge. What started as something of a joke has blossomed into a research project as I have discovered the fascinating history and social importance of these often overlooked pieces of architecture.

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Itinerary

This walking tour covers the area from Waterloo to St. Paul's, via Covent Garden (or occasionally the other way round)

Along the way you will get:

* Tips and tricks for locating free public loos in London
* The history of the toilet from pre-Roman to present
* The surprisingly intense politics of the public toilet
* Gossip and trivia
* Jokes and bad puns
* Rest stops for drinks (The rout offers ample opportunity for everything from tea to cocktails)

Reviews

Ellen

Well, I have not been on this tour, but I will say that I was scolded in the Victoria Station ladies' loo in 1977, for washing my face at the sink. Hands, yes; face, no. I remember that sandy/waxed paper, "Council property/ Do not remove".

Jaie C.

The Loo Tour was a great way to see some of London by foot; walk through the city centre when it is not over-crowded with workers, discover new places and learn new facts. The subject matter isn't at all squeamish, it makes or some fun banter. Rachel knows her stuff. And everybody has a toilet story! We stopped by some warm pubs along the way - one particular pub's toilets were very much the highlight. Jaie, West Hampstead

Kathryn G.

I had good fun on Rachel's tour especially as three friends came with me. It always amazes me that no matter how much I think I know about my beloved city, someone else can always teach me more. Rachel isn't just a public toilet connoisseur, she knows a lot of other off-the-beaten-track history and information about London. Trust me, during this experience and for days/weeks afterwards, you too will get excited about conveniences like you never thought was possible.

Maria J.

Not Only For Those With a Practical Interest in Public Toilets... Quite funny and insightful! This tour is not only about hygiene and loo-related stories and information, as Rachel will also show you quite a few interesting spots along the way. The British take this matter very seriously indeed!...

Andrew W.

The tour was a fun afternoon on a cold winter's day. Rachel took us around some interesting toilets, shared some of her wide range of toilet facts and trivia, and showed us some other interesting spots along the way as well. Despite having lived in London more than two and a half years I still discovered some new places I had not known about before. Lots of remember for next time I am showing visiting friends around the city!

Simo V.

Rachel knows London more than most Londoners, and will tell plenty of non necessarily loo-related anecdotes. The tour is very nice and interesting, not only from a practical point of view, as it's actually a way to understand London more from its facilities (facilavatories?) point of view. Highly recommended!

Andrew G.

Just in case you are wondering what is the most fun, most interesting and informative thing to do in London....the answer is as clear as the loo paper stuck to your shoe.... A London Loo Tour of course! What great fun!

Matthew L.

I went on an early version of this experience which I have blogged about at http://blog.vayable.com/2012/12/08/the-worlds-first-toilet-tour/ It's a really unusual and informative experience. Rachel is friendly, fun, reliable and armed with plenty of loo-related tales from London history. And there's so much more to the tour than just toilets - there's history, politics, architecture, theatre and a cocktail at the end too. Of course, you'll get most out of the tour if you use the facilities along the way, so carry a bottle of water...