The Changing Facility Reality Check: What is a Deal-Breaker

Every parent has that horror story—the "changing facilities" that turned out to be a fold-down shelf in a cramped toilet, or worse, no facilities at all and a sheepish staff member suggesting you use the sink area. Let's talk about what actually counts as acceptable.

You arrive at a venue, your baby needs changing (because of course they do), and you head to the bathroom. That's when you discover whether this place actually understands families or just says they do. The quality of changing facilities reveals everything.

The absolute minimum requirements: An actual changing table at a comfortable height—not the toilet lid, not the floor, not a sink counter. Space for your changing bag without having to balance it on your head. Basic supplies visible—even just a bin and soap signals they've thought about this. And crucially, a door that locks so you're not trying to change a wriggling baby while guarding the door with your foot.

The deal-breakers that mean never returning: Changing facilities only accessible through multiple doors or up stairs—if you're juggling a baby and a bag, this is a nightmare. Tables covered in mystery substances from previous changes with no wipes available. Changing areas that are also the main thoroughfare, so people keep walking through while you're mid-change. Or the classic: "We don't have facilities, but you can use the disabled toilet"—which inevitably has no changing table anyway.

The gold standard you're looking for: A dedicated family bathroom with a proper changing station, enough space to maneuver with a bag and baby, good lighting so you can actually see what you're doing, a bin within reach, and a surface clean enough that you'd use it without three layers of protection. The very best places have step stools for older toddlers, extra supplies if you've forgotten something, and proper ventilation. When you find one of these, take note—this venue actually gets it.

Here's the reality most venues don't grasp—changing facilities are non-negotiable. You can survive without a kids' menu, you can manage without high chairs if your baby's small enough, but if there's nowhere safe and hygienic to change your child, you physically cannot stay. It's not a preference, it's a requirement.

The emergency alternatives when facilities are rubbish: Change them in the car if you've got one (boot open, changing mat down). Find a nearby shop with better facilities and buy something small as a thank you. Use your buggy if it's flat and you've got a changing mat. But honestly, if a café or restaurant can't provide basic changing facilities, they're not actually family-friendly, and it's worth going elsewhere.

Before visiting anywhere new, check TotSpot reviews from other parents—they'll tell you if the changing facilities are genuinely usable or just technically present.

TotSpot shows which venues have actual, verified changing facilities rated by real parents who've used them, not just claimed them on a website.