Brighton Station toilets
Restroom remembrance
I used to love the toilets at old Brighton Station,
A public convenience cause for celebration.
Victorian pipework of copper and brass,
As polished and shiny as any could ask.
Mosaic floor tiles, patterns geometric,
Diamonds and squares and circles concentric.
Gleaming white porcelain, so perfect for Percy
To point at, when gentlemen are at his mercy.
To access, one had to walk down to the basement.
Even the stairwork a luxurious statement.
These downstairs conveniences alas are no more.
Brighton's new toilets are on the ground floor.
O ~ o ~
Brighton station, on England's southern coast, stands a monument to Victorian railways, and that era's obsession with taking the sea air. The downstairs restrooms were even more ornate than the lofty station building. Alas, not only were these toilet facilities abandoned in 2005, when the new conveniences were built, it seems there are no pictures to be had on the web of the ornately plumbed men's toilets. The above image was not taken in Brighton and I recall the pipework in Brighton station toilets was a lot more stylish and ornate. Here is an image of the women's toilets, that does not show the glorious copper and brass pipework that connected the urinals in the men's.
It does at least show the intricate mosaic patterns similar to the decorative floor that used to be seen in the men's.
In the London suburb I currently live, they closed all of the public toilets some years ago to save cost. Anyone in need of relief must use one of the many cafes and bars, assuming the owners are amenable.
Thanks for reading
About the Creator
Raymond G. Taylor
Author living in Kent, England. Writer of short stories and poems in a wide range of genres, forms and styles. A non-fiction writer for 40+ years. Subjects include art, history, science, business, law, and the human condition.
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Comments (7)
Ah, to lose such magnificent craft & design for the sake of saving a dime. It's criminal.
What a field trip and they are quite beautiful. Good job in the presentations of the men's and women's rooms.
This is so cool, Raymond. I love reading about all sorts of historical facts, and this was very curious.
Great poem and remind me of the toilets at the Philharmonic in Liverpool https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/liverpool-philharmonic-dining-room-toilets
Oh wow, they sure look very clean. Loved your poem!
Poetry to the Brighton station toilets is something I never expected to read. What an idea! It also let me thinking that I never went to the Brighton station toilets. The station has always been a place where I mainly run through to catch a train. 😅 But after reading this, I’m extremely curious about the old toilets. There must be surviving photos somewhere. Perhaps in The Argus’ or Town Hall’s archives. 🤔
LOL thanks Raymond for making me picture your Percy 🤣🤣 I wasn't expecting to read about public toilets with my coffee this morning 🙏😁