Let’s first talk about Covent Garden and then, we will explore the best parking spots there, both free and paid.
Covent Garden, located in the heart of London’s West End, is a popular attraction and destination for locals (Londoners), Brits, and international tourists alike. It has a rich history, a vibrant and diverse culture, and a wide range of entertainment and shopping opportunities.
Covent Garden was originally a garden, from which it got its name. It gradually evolved into the thriving cultural centre that it is today over many years. Covent Garden attracts millions of visitors each year due to its lively street performances, trendy boutique shopping outlets, and upscale restaurants. The Royal Opera House, which houses the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera, is one of Covent Garden’s most popular attractions.
It also hosts some of the world’s most famous opera and ballet performances on a regular basis. If you find yourself in Covent Garden, this is a must-see. The famous Covent Garden Apple Market is another popular attraction. It’s right in the heart of the district and is always bustling with tourists and vendors selling everything from handcrafted jewellery to artisanal cheeses to stunning artwork to organic produce and pretty much anything else you can think of. Those seeking more traditional retail therapy will find plenty of options in Covent Garden, which is home to high-end fashion brands such as Burberry, Chanel, and Dior.
If shopping, history, or culture aren’t your thing, we’d still recommend a trip to Covent Garden if only for the culinary treats. There are restaurants serving cuisine from almost every country, nationality, and culture imaginable. It’s difficult to walk more than a few steps without running into dozens of highly rated restaurants serving something spectacular! Other excellent reasons to visit Covent Garden include taking a walk through the historic 17th-century Piazza, seeing a show at one of the many different theatres, or winding down with a drink at Charles Dickens’ old haunt, The Lamb & Flag Pub.
Covent Garden really does have it all!!! Except for one thing…
Finding affordable and convenient parking options, as in almost every other area of central London, can be the most difficult part of the trip. Covent Garden is densely populated, has limited street parking, and is subject to both the ULEZ and the Congestion Charge Zone. All of these factors can quickly add up to a nightmare scenario for drivers, where even a short trip can end up being both expensive and frustrating. This guide will assist you in locating the most affordable parking options, though there aren’t many, as close to your destination as possible. We’ll also look into free parking options, though these will require parking outside of Covent Garden and taking public transport.
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 Parking in Covent Garden
Free, unrestricted streetside parking
We take pride in locating free and unrestricted street parking in locations throughout the United Kingdom. To date, we’ve documented and pinned thousands of locations across the UK where you can legally and safely park your car on the side of the road for free.
Despite our best efforts, this is simply not an option in Covent Garden. The only streetside parking is either pay-and-display or available only to Covent Garden residents. To make matters worse, Covent Garden does not employ the widely used ‘free overnight parking‘ system found in other parts of the country. Parking restrictions are enforced around the clock and frequently have 4-hour time limits, further complicating matters.
Nearby free overnight and weekend parking options
As previously stated, there are no free overnight or weekend parking options in Covent Garden. However, there are reasonable options within a 20- to 30-minute metro ride. While these options may not be convenient for someone visiting Covent Gardens for a short visit during the day, the savings could easily buy you and your friends a round of beers at the pub if you plan on staying the night in Covent Gardens.
Free overnight and weekend parking in Clapham
If you’re coming from the south, finding free parking in Clapham and taking the metro to the end of your journey is a good option. Parking in these areas is free after 18:30 Monday through Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday. From here, you can take the nearest metro (which is within walking distance) to Covent Garden. The metro ride to Covent Gardens takes 20 to 30 minutes on average, depending on which station you begin at.
- Saint Alphonsus Road SW4 7BL – 0.2 miles to Clapham Common
- Fitzwilliam Road SW2 0DN – 0.6 miles to Clapham Common
- Lambourn Road SW4 0LS – 0.6 miles to Clapham Common
- Hannington Road SW4 0LZ – 0.6 miles to Clapham Common
- Killyon Road SW4 6JX – 1.0 mile to Battersea Park
- Brayburne Avenue SW4 6AD – 1.0 miles to Battersea Park
- A3216 SW8 3RY – 0.8 miles to Battersea Park
Free overnight and weekend parking in Islington
If you’re driving to Covent Garden from the north, consider parking in Islington and taking the metro down to the theatre district. The final leg of the journey will take you about 30 minutes or so, depending on where you get on the metro. While this may seem like a long time, keep in mind that even if you get stuck in traffic, you’ll still save a lot of time. The following locations provide free streetside parking after 18:30 on Saturdays and Sundays. The provided distance is the walking distance to the nearest metro station.
- Corinne Road N19 5EZ – 0.2 miles to Tufnell Park
- Lady Margaret Road NW5 2NP – 0.2 miles to Tufnell Park
- Cornwallis Road N19 4LP – 0.4 miles to Upper Holloway
- Kiver Road N19 4PE – 0.3 miles to Upper Holloway
- Davenant Road N19 3NW – 0.2 miles to Upper Holloway
- Hilldrop Crescent N7 0HX – 0.6 miles to Kentish Town
Closest Paid Streetside Parking
If you absolutely must park in Covent Garden, there are a few streetside options available, but they are not cheap or easy to find! Pay-and-display street parking costs an average of £12 or £13 for a two-hour stay, depending on location. The distances attached to the streetside parking locations below are to Covent Garden Metro. The metro is very centrally located, with everything in Covent Garden, including all of the attractions, being less than a mile away.
- Tavistock Street WC2E 7DD – 0.2 miles
- Wellington Street WC2E 7DB – 0.2 miles
- Exeter Street WC2R 0JE – 0.2 miles
- Southampton Street WC2E 7HE – 0.2 miles
- Chandos Place SW1A 1AG – 0.3 miles
- Bedford Street WC2E 9HA – 0.3 miles
- West Street WC2H 9DN – 0.2 miles
Cheapest Paid Car Parks
Paid car parks in Covent Garden appear to follow the more expensive is better parking rule that is so prevalent in the area. A two-hour stay costs around £20 on average, with some car parks charging up to £30 for two hours. This page contains a list of the most affordable parking lots near Covent Garden.
- Bedford Hotel WC1B 4HD – £8.00 for 2 hours
- Car Park Covent Garden WC1A 1JR – £10.00 for 2 hours
- NCP London Covent Garden WC2B 5NT – £12.00 for 2 hours
- Q-Park Covent Garden WC2N 4DU – £16.00 for 2 hours
Driveway rental
Renting someone’s private driveway is becoming a more popular option in areas where parking is expensive or inconvenient. This option is becoming increasingly popular among regular commuters who know when and where they will be. Having said that, there’s nothing wrong with a one-time driveway rental because there are plenty of good options. It’s worth noting that driveway owners set their own prices, which can vary greatly within a given area. If you’re thinking about this, we recommend that you plan and reserve your driveway well in advance, as the cheaper options go quickly!
Driveway rental prices in Covent Garden vary greatly, with some as low as £6 for two hours and others matching car park prices at around £20 for two hours.
Consider looking at driveways just outside of Covent Garden if you’re willing to add a quick metro ride or a short walk to your trip. Waterloo, Mayfair, Soho, and especially Greenham Cross have driveways for rent at prices ranging from £2.50 to £100 per month.
Version 1.0 ranges from £16 for a two-hour stay, with the cheapest options typically requiring a 15 to 20-minute walk to Covent Garden.
If this appeals to you, consider downloading the JustPark app for Android or iPhone.