I was in England (and Northern Ireland, where my mom’s from) in 1983. The “facilities” were better than what we found in Holland in 2003, even at Mom’s cousins’ farm in Derry.
I never heard anyone say “toilet” in Europe at all. Even in Holland, the signs for the can said, “W.C,” and don’t even consider asking where’s the “Ladies’ “?
I saw the initials “W.C.” everywhere in Germany in the 1980’s.
It was a holdover from the Nazis, when that was supposed to stand for Winston Churchill, their nemesis.
Swastikas kept turning up in the darndest places, too.
Didn’t make it to Northern Ireland. My exposure was London and environs, and the soutwest, Somerset and Devonshire. Been to the Republic Of Ireland on numerous occasions. Dublin, Dublin burbs, day trips to points of interest from there such as Howth Head, a few castle ruins, Bray, Waterford, etcetera, and once down to Cork. Interesting climate and flora down in Cork. There weren’t exactly palm trees, but certainly resembled them. Very surprising. Gulf Stream. Plants from all over washed up and took root there.
I always had a flashback of the movie “Brazil,” whenever I pulled that long chain to flush, though. I went to London young and not exactly flush with cash, and stayed with friends. Very basic flat, as you might imagine. “Brazil” again with the coin slot egg timer deal for the electric. Hot shower? Forget it. It was fun, though.