Bristol Parking

It can be tricky to park in Bristol city centre due to the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ). This means that every street has some kind of parking restriction at some point in time. Parking restrictions to look out for are:

Pay and Display bays where you can stay for 1,2 or 4 hours   depending on where you are

Double yellow lines, where you can't park

Single yellow lines, where you can only park at some times. Be sure to check the signs when parking on these

Kerb flashes showing loading restrictions

Parking is also restricted around the outside of the CPZ, which is divided into Residents' Parking Schemes. In these areas, you may have to apply for permits.

In the rest of the Bristol City Council Area, parking restrictions are mostly found on bus routes and main roads to keep the traffic moving in the busiest times, as well as around shopping areas to provide parking for shops. Restrictions in residential areas make schools, junctions and crossings safer.

No one wants that fine through the letterbox. So, on the YourParkingSpace map, we make sure that we only offer parking spaces that you are entitled to park in! No restrictions, no permits, no fines.

Parking around the surrounding areas of Bristol airport is highly sought after. For cheap, safe and convenient parking spaces, both long stay and short stay, visit our Bristol airport page.

Bristol is a beautiful city nestled in the rolling countryside of the South West of England. It straddles the River Avon and has a rich maritime history with many historical and heritage sites to visit. The city is a hub for culture, including the M Shed museum that explores the industrial history of the city; and The Arnolfini, a contemporary art gallery. Many of the harbour’s 19th century warehouses now contain restaurants and shops.

Other popular attractions include Ashton Gate Stadium, a roaring event to behold on match day; SS Great Britain, a ship-turned-museum designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the Wills Memorial Building, a Neo-Gothic building designed by Sir George Oatley, and the Bristol Galleries, a famous shopping centre.

Find great and convenient parking spaces in short walking distances to these unmissable attractions on our search results page.

Car

Bristol is a stone’s throw away from the junction that connects the M4 and M5. The M4 connects Bristol to other major cities like London to the west and Cardiff to the east. The M5 sees traffic from Southwest areas like Plymouth and road users from cities further North like Birmingham.

Take your pick of 4 different Park and Ride services that surround the city.   

Train

First Great Western and other major train operators run local, regional and inter-city services from Bristol Temple Meads station and Bristol Parkway station. 

An organisation called Charge Your Car oversee the South West charging network of electric vehicle charge points on behalf of Bristol council. Charging sessions can be started and stopped using these methods:

Charge Your Car access card

Charge Your Car mobile app

Charge Your Car automated telephone line

A network of all electric vehicle charging points in the UK can be found on the government's Go Ultra low website. 

As you may already know, that Blue Badge allows you to park in more places, for longer, and often free of charge!

Many off-street car parks in Bristol will offer disabled spaces, but these may be limited and all car parks are different, so check the signs before parking. 

With a valid Blue Badge, you can park on:

Any on-street pay and display space, no maximum stay and free of charge. This also applies to resident parking permit restricted areas

Any on-street space labelled with the Blue Badge sign. Check signs as some spaces may be limited to 3 hours.

Double and single yellow lines for up to three hours, unless there is a ban on loading or unloading. Again, check local signs for any additional local restrictions.

Any on-street limited waiting bay, all day

Don’t panic, many overnight off-street car parks in Bristol run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Enter your dates and times into our search results page and find a space fast, before it gets dark.

On Bank holidays and Sundays, parking is free in any on-street pay and display space within the Central Parking Zone.

Have you considered making a bit of extra cash from your empty Bristol parking space? If not, you might want to consider this! Parking in Bristol is in very high demand and you could see yourself making a considerable profit from that unused driveway or allocated space which you may have forgotten even existed. Go to our list your space for free page to start earning!

Is there free parking in Bristol on the weekend?

On Sunday, parking is free in any on-street pay and display space within the Central Parking Zone. On Saturday, parking charges are the same as any other working day. 

Is there free parking in Bristol?

You can park for free at Little Paradise car park, BS3 4NE which has 50 spaces and is free for 2 hours. You can also park at Hereford Street, BS3 4NA; Diamond Street, BS3 3LF; Ducie Road, BS5 0AF; Sheene Road, BS3 4JE. They are all free for 2 hours and range from a 37 to 45 minute walk from the city centre.    

Where can I park my car overnight?

A recommended place to park overnight in Bristol would be on West Street, BS2. The car park is to the rear of 13-15 West Street in Old Market, it is accessed from Braggs Lane. The car park is walled and gated. The spaces are close to Cabot Circus. The spaces are suitable for vehicles up to the size of a Medium - (4 Door) and they are available 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week.

Can I park on the pavement in the UK?

In England and Wales, parking on the pavement could lead to an offence of obstruction being committed, due to the possibility of the vehicles obstructing pedestrians and wheelchair users, forcing them to use the road to pass the vehicle. This offence could lead to a fixed penalty notice issued to the offending vehicle. In some cases, local councils can make an order prohibiting parking on the pavement, in which case, signs/markings will be present.