The Curious Tale Of 19th Century Urine Deflectors In London

Urine deflectors were a feature of 19th-century London, particularly during the Victorian era.

Cliffords Inn Passage in London, pictured above, still has the original urine deflectors from the 19th century to direct men’s pee onto their shoes…

Urinating on the street became so common that the walls themselves began to corrode.

Other cities where antique examples may still be seen include Lviv, Norwich and Venice.

They were metal or stone fixtures installed on buildings, often around street corners or at the base of walls, to prevent people from urinating against them.

During the 19th century, urban sanitation was a significant concern in London due to the rapid population growth and inadequate public facilities.

The lack of public toilets and the prevalence of public drunkenness meant that many people resorted to relieving themselves in public spaces, which led to unsanitary conditions and unpleasant odors.

To combat this issue, local authorities installed various measures, including urine deflectors, to deter public urination and maintain cleanliness in public areas.

These deflectors were typically angled or curved structures designed to redirect urine away from buildings or walls, discouraging people from urinating in those locations.

While urine deflectors were effective to some extent, they were just one of many measures employed to address sanitation problems in Victorian London.

Other efforts included the construction of public toilets, the implementation of stricter laws and penalties for public urination, and public awareness campaigns promoting cleanliness and hygiene.

As briefly mentioned, urine deflectors were typically made of materials such as metal, stone, or ceramic.

They were often designed with angled surfaces or protrusions to deflect urine away from buildings or walls effectively.

Some deflectors were intricately crafted with decorative elements, while others were more utilitarian in design.

Placement: Urine deflectors were strategically installed in areas where public urination was common, such as street corners, alleyways, and building entrances.

They were often positioned at a low height, making them easily accessible for urinating individuals to notice and deterred them from using those spots.

Public Health Concerns: The installation of urine deflectors was motivated by public health concerns related to poor sanitation practices in urban environments.

In addition to the offensive odor and unsightliness caused by public urination, there were genuine health risks associated with the accumulation of human waste in public spaces, including the spread of diseases.

Social Norms and Etiquette: The presence of urine deflectors reflected changing social norms and expectations regarding public behaviour and hygiene.

As urbanisation progressed and cities became more densely populated, there was an increasing emphasis on maintaining cleanliness in public spaces and adhering to societal norms of decency.

Continued Relevance: While the widespread use of urine deflectors declined over time with improvements in sanitation infrastructure and urban planning, remnants of these historical fixtures can still be found in certain parts of London and other cities with rich architectural histories.

We recommend you visit Cliffords Inn Passage in London to see a fine example today.

The alley is one of the oldest surviving alleys in London, emerging around Tudor times when the area along Chancery Lane was first starting to be developed from fields.

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