The best places in the UK for baby-changing facilities revealed

But it’s far from the norm: almost three-quarters (73%) of UK councils fail to meet the recommended minimum standard of one baby-changing facility per 10,000 people.

Where in the UK has the best baby-changing facilities?

Edinburgh leads the way with 54 registered baby-changing facilities – an impressive 49.8 per 10,000 residents. That’s over six times more than any other location in the UK.

Here’s how the top five look:

• 1. Edinburgh – 49.8 per 10,000 residents
• 2. Sefton (Merseyside) – 7.8
• 3. Richmond upon Thames – 6.7
• 4. Mole Valley (Surrey) – 6.5
• 5. City of London – 5.2

Other major cities like Leeds and Manchester also appear in the top 10, with just under 5 facilities per 10,000 people.

Scotland leads the way – but what about Wales?

It’s not just Edinburgh flying the flag for family-friendly facilities in Scotland. Fife and Highland also ranked in the UK’s top 20, while Glasgow was named the fourth-best location in Scotland with 19 baby-changing spots.

In Wales, the outlook isn’t quite so rosy. Swansea topped the Welsh rankings with 1.25 baby-changing facilities per 10,000 residents, closely followed by Denbighshire and Gwynedd – but these figures still fall far short of the UK average, and are miles behind the top-performing councils.

Only 27% of councils hit the recommended target

While there’s no legal requirement for councils to provide baby-changing facilities, the British Toilet Association recommends at least one unisex space per 10,000 people. Shockingly, the analysis found that just 27% of councils are currently meeting that standard.

That means the vast majority of parents across the UK are left hunting for facilities, often with no easy access – something that can turn even a short trip out into a stressful experience.

Why do baby-changing facilities matter?

As any parent knows, babies don’t work to schedules. Nappy changes can happen anywhere, anytime – and if there’s nowhere suitable nearby, things get messy fast.

Accessible facilities aren’t just a ‘nice to have’. They make public life easier for families, help reduce social isolation and ensure that both mums and dads are equally able to care for their babies while out and about.

But there’s a bigger issue here too: gender equality. Many baby-changing areas are still located in women’s toilets only, which excludes dads and other male caregivers.

Every baby needs their bum changed at some point and it’s ridiculous to think that only mums can do that.

That’s why Love & Power launched the Bum Deal campaign last year, alongside Oxfam and the British Toilet Association, to push for universal access to baby-changing stations across all public spaces – and for them to be gender-inclusive.

What’s being done to improve things?

There’s been some progress. In 2021, the UK government pledged £30 million to help install Changing Places toilets in public buildings across England. These larger accessible toilets come equipped with changing benches, hoists and plenty of space – ideal for families with older children who have additional needs.

But for everyday nappy changes, particularly for families on the move with babies and toddlers, the call for better baby-changing access is growing louder.

So, what does this mean for parents?

If you’re based in or visiting Edinburgh, you’re in luck – chances are, you’ll find a facility nearby when you need it. But if you're elsewhere in the UK, particularly in parts of Wales or underperforming English councils, you might still face the all-too-familiar dash around town in search of a clean, usable changing space.

It’s a reminder that for all the conversations around supporting new parents, practical changes still need to be made – quite literally – on the ground.

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