Let’s first talk about Bath and then, we will explore the best parking spots there, both free and paid.
Bath is the county town of Somerset. Bath, named after the famous ancient Roman baths established there in the second and third centuries AD, is located in the Avon Valley and attracts approximately 6 million tourists each year. Aside from the baths, the city is rich in historical architecture, including Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, and many beautifully preserved Georgian buildings.
The entire city is a World Heritage Site, and it has produced many famous names, including Jane Austen, Bill Bailey, and Mary Berry. Bath is also known for its numerous parks and green spaces, the canal, and its internationally renowned arts scene.
Bath’s central area is densely packed with pedestrian streets, one-way systems, and extremely narrow roads. Parking can be difficult, especially with permit-restricted zones in operation within the center. Parking in Bath’s center, like in most cities, can be prohibitively expensive.
On this page, we’ve compiled a list of all the free parking options in Bath, which you can see on the map below. Continue reading for more information and cheaper city paid parking.
Important Note:
While UKFreeParking.com takes every step to ensure that the parking information provided is accurate at the time of writing, local ordinances, parking availability, parking prices, and parking regulations change with time.
UKFreeParking.com accepts no responsibility for any fines or tickets received as a result of using our website.
Please ensure that you park your vehicle safely and responsibly every time, making sure to adhere to local parking rules, signs, and regulations.
Free and Paid Parking in Bath
Free, unrestricted residential street parking
One of your best bets in Bath is to find free residential street parking that doesn’t fall under restricted parking rules. This can be difficult if you are not familiar with a city. Below we’ve found the streets that have free parking opportunities, organized into direction and distance away from the city centre for your convenience.
North Bath
Parking in Bath’s north end provides an interesting walk into the city center. Depending on your route, you may pass through the Royal Crescent, Bath Assembly Rooms, Fashion Museum, Museum of Bath at Work, and Jane Austen Centre.
- Saint Stephens Close BA1 5PP – 1 mile
- Richmond Hill BA1 5QT – 1.1 miles (2h max stay)
- Mount Beacon BA1 5QH – 1.2 miles
- Purlewent Drive BA1 4BD – 1.8 miles
- Cranwells Park BA1 2YD – 1.2 miles
East Bath
Parking in Bath’s easterly residential streets is most convenient for visitors coming from London and isn’t too far from the city center. This route takes you past several historical sites, including Pulteney Bridge, the Bath Locks, and the Roman Baths. Museums like the Holburne Museum and the Victoria Art Gallery dot the route, as do the lovely riverside Parade Gardens.
- Church Street BA1 1NL – 0.2 miles
- Bathwick Hill BA2 6LB – 0.8 miles
- Saint Anns Way BA2 6BT – 0.9 miles
- Sham Castle Lane BA2 6JL – 1.1 mile
- Cleveland Walk BA2 6JW – 1.1 miles
- Macaulay Buildings BA2 6AS – 1.3 miles
South Bath
Parking in any of the streets listed below will lead you across the river and past the historic train station. You can see beautiful views of the city from Alexandra Park’s Bath Skyline on your way to the center.
- Beechen Cliff Road BA2 4QR – 0.8 miles
- Hayesfield Park BA2 4QE – 0.8 miles
- Widcombe Hill BA2 6AR – 0.9 miles
- Chaucer Road BA2 4QU – 1 mile
- Milton Avenue BA2 4QZ – 1 mile
West Bath
The west side of Bath is your best bet for finding free parking on residential streets. These streets are close to the center, and there are many more options. Walking in from the west will take you past Green Park and over the River Avon and canal.
- Stothert Avenue BA2 3FH – 0.6 miles
- Midland Road BA2 3GJ – 0.8 miles
- Shaftesbury Road BA2 3LQ – 0.9 miles
- Dorset Street BA2 3RA – 0.9 miles
- Stuart Place BA2 3RQ – 0.9 miles
- Caledonian Road BA2 3RD – 0.9 miles
- Ayr Street BA2 3RJ – 1 mile
- Maybrick Road BA2 3PU – 1 mile
- Herbert Road BA2 3PR – 1 mile
- Audley Park Road BA1 2XJ – 1 mile
- West Avenue BA2 3QB – 1.1 miles
- South Avenue BA2 3PY – 1.1 miles
- Shaftesbury Mews BA2 3LU – 1.1 miles
- The Linleys BA1 2XE – 1.1 miles
- Badminton Gardens BA1 2XS – 1.2 miles
- Kennington Road BA1 3EA – 1.3 miles
- Warwick Road BA1 3EB – 1.3 miles
- Gainsborough Gardens BA1 4AJ – 1.4 miles
- Foxcombe Road BA1 3ED – 1.4 miles
- Combe Park BA1 3NE – 1.5 miles
- Weston Lane BA1 4AQ – 1.5 miles
- Lucklands Road BA1 4AX – 1.7 miles
- Penn Lea Road BA1 3RB – 1.8 miles
Even though you can park for free in Bath, it still costs you time and effort. Spaces are not guaranteed, and it may take some time to find one. Walking from the street where you parked can be more difficult if your group includes the elderly, children, or people with disabilities. These difficulties are exacerbated by Bath’s steep terrain!
Free parking after 7pm/Overnight/Sundays
Going out for the night but don’t want to pay for a private or public parking space? From Monday to Saturday, park for free after 7 p.m. and before 8 a.m. at any of these locations. Sundays are also free. These spots are a little pricey between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., costing £3.60 per hour. To avoid a costly fine, double-check the maximum stay during these hours. Many of these on-street parking spaces are located in the city center.
- Milk Street BA1 1UN – 0.1 miles
- Westgate Buildings BA1 1EB – <0.1 miles
- Monmouth Street BA1 2AN – <0.1 miles
- Saint James’s Parade BA1 1UL – 0.2 miles
- Somerset Street BA1 1TS – 0.3 miles
- Grand Parade BA2 4DF – 0.3 miles
- Henry Street BA1 1JT – 0.3 miles
- Julian Road BA1 2RH – 0.6 miles
- Old King Street BA1 2JW – 0.2 miles
- Wood Street BA1 2JQ – 0.4 miles
- Trim Street BA1 1HB – 0.1 miles
- Railway Place BA1 1SR – 0.4 miles
- Milsom Street BA1 1DE – 0.3 miles
- Alexandra Park BA2 4RQ – 0.9 miles
- Royal Victoria Park BA1 2NQ – 0.5 miles
Free 2h parking/Customers only
Some Bath stores and commercial properties offer two hours of free parking if you know where to look. Check to see if it is only for customers, but you might be able to park for the price of a coffee (coffee included).
- Morrisons BA1 6AN
- Mero Retail Park BA2 3GL
- Lidl BA2 1ES
- Larkhall BA1 6SA
- Weston Lock Retail Park BA2 1EP
- Sainsbury’s BA2 5RF
Cheapest paid car parks in Bath
Not everyone likes the idea of leaving their car parked on the street unattended. If this applies to you, you can park your car safely in one of these lots. They are the cheapest parking lots in Bath that we could find. If you arrive after 8 p.m., overnight parking is only £1.50 in all of these lots.
- Manvers Street Car Park BA1 1JQ – £3.40 for 2 hours
- Avon Street Car Park BA1 1UF – £3.40 for 2 hours
- Kingsmead Square Car Park BA1 2AA – £3.40 for 2 hours
- Cattle Market Car Park BA1 5LH – £3.40 for 2 hours
- Broad Street Car Park BA1 5LW – £3.40 for 2 hours
- Green park Road Car Park BA1 1UT – £3.40 for 2 hours
- Sports and leisure centre car park BA2 4EU – £3.40 for 2 hours