The first public toilets for women from the Victorian and Edwardian eras have been added to the Grade II list of protected buildings, underscoring their significance in the history of gender equality.
The UK has granted protected status to public toilets for women, built over a century ago. Protection was granted to facilities dating from 1899 on Bank Hill in Berwick-upon-Tweed (Northumberland) and those from 1904 on Seaburn Promenade in Sunderland.
These buildings can now not be demolished or significantly altered without government permission, which requires consultation with specialized heritage bodies.
Historians note that in Victorian Britain, women were restricted in their movements: almost all public facilities were intended only for men. This made long journeys and participation in public life difficult.
“These buildings are an integral part of history, as their appearance opened up new possibilities for women’s work and leisure,” said Debbie Mays, Head of Listing at Historic England.
The first public toilets for women appeared in London in the 1880s, primarily in the West End shopping district, so that ladies could spend more time shopping. However, such facilities remained rare until after the First World War.
