For my ‘culture’ day this week there may be some who will think I’ve lost the plot – but it is actually quite an interesting topic that goes under my working title of the ‘taking the p#ss’ tour, as the subject matter is about Victorian public toilet landmarks that are scattered across London!!!
My exploration has taken me as far a field as Kentish Town, in the north of the metropolis, down to Kennington in the south via the west end, the City’s square mile, and the east end …– to seek out these historical architectural landmarks from a bygone era – some of which are still in use for their original purpose, whilst others have taken on a completely ‘new’ purpose, and others have been left to rot, or are currently up for sale.
In alignment with this particular ‘theme’ were other particularly unusual landmarks, which were introduced to London long before Victorian times. They are ‘deflectors’ which were built into ‘alleys’ and ‘passages’ to prevent people ‘spending a penny’ up the walls on their way home from a night out in the inns and taverns. There are only 2 such examples of these ‘deflectors’ still in existence in the City, and I managed to locate them.
Having completed this particular excursion, there was really only one pub I could go to have my customary ‘cheeky’ beer – “Dirty Dicks” in Bishopsgate !!!
The “Attendant” – An old Victorian loo – bought up and converted into a cafe – nr Goodge Street
Geoff Clements 12 April · Edited · .. The “Attendant” cafe – nr Goodge Street
Inside the “Attendant” – where the urinals now act as tables
Another shot from inside the “Attendant”
As with all public bogs – the “Attendant” actually encourages its ‘customers’ to write on the walls
An arts museum – Kennington
Another photo of the ‘Arts Lav’ – Kennington – but this time with its Victorian ‘stink pipe’ in view
A late night cocktail bar – Kentish Town
A public toilet that has been converted into an air extractor for the Tube – Lothbury
The ex-Victorian public toilet at Lothbury – but this time take from a different angle
A khazi that is still in good working order – Eastcheap
A currently disused site (and its ‘stink pipe’) at Spitalfields – that was once converted into a night club
A derelict ‘Ladies’ (and its ‘stink pipe’) that is currently up for sale at £1m – Petticoat Lane
A Victorian public toilet – that is now a listed building – Star Yard nr Chancery Lane
Another shot of the Victorian loo in Star Yard
One of only 2 “Deflectors” still in existence, that was put in place looooong before Victorian times – Clifford’s Inn Passage, just off of Fleet Street
Another angle of the deflector in Clifford’s Inn Passage – Fleet Street
The other London’s only surviving “Deflector”, which is built into the the east wall of the Bank of England building
My very apt watering hole at the end of this excursion – Bishopsgate
Necking down a cheeky one in Dirty Dicks
Ԍood post. I hope to be experiencing many of these places as well, when I next visit London!!