Let’s first talk about Leeds and then, we will explore the best parking spots there, both free and paid.
Leeds is a Yorkshire city with a population of over 500,000 people, including over 200,000 students. During the Industrial Revolution, the original market town grew into a major mill town, and it was a major player in the wool, flax, iron, engineering, and printing industries. Leeds is located on the River Aire and is one of the few cities outside of London with a significant number of high-rise buildings. The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds City Museum, and Abbey House Museum are among the many historical museums in the city.
Leeds has produced a number of artists and sculptures, as well as being a supporter of radical art movements. The Leeds Art Club backed the Suffragettes and the Independent Labour Party, and the art community pushed many social boundaries with their work. Today, the city is home to numerous art galleries, including the Henry Moore Institute (sculpture) and The Tetley (modern arts).
The city also hosts numerous festivals, including Europe’s oldest West Indian Carnival. The Leeds International Film Festival is the largest outside of London in England. Leeds Pride, the Victorian Christmas Fayre, and the Leeds Music Festival are among the other festivals in the city.
In addition to its rich culture, Leeds is a Purple Flag accredited nightlife city, making it one of the safest and most diverse cities for a night out. There are a plethora of pubs, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and live music venues to choose from.
Leeds is a major sports hub, with teams representing many major popular sports such as rugby, cricket, athletics, hockey, golf, and synchronized swimming. It has the 11th-highest football attendance rate in the country.
Parking in Leeds, like in many other city centers, can be difficult if you’re unfamiliar with the area. We’ve compiled maps and lists of free parking spots on this page to help you plan your time in this diverse city.
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 Leeds
Residential Streets
Using residential streets for free parking is one of the best options in any city, and Leeds is no exception. The first issue is being unfamiliar with a city and having to drive around looking for these streets, with no guarantee of finding anything suitable. This section contains a list of streets with free parking, as well as their postcodes and walking distance from Leeds city center. For your convenience, the streets are also organized by direction from the center.
When parking on a residential street, there are a few things to keep in mind. All on-street parking rules apply: do not block driveways or entrances; do not park on double-yellow lines; and check for any parking restrictions before leaving your car. Respect the neighbors and keep noise to a minimum (especially late at night). Remember that leaving your car on a residential street is at your own risk.
North
To the north of Leeds, there are several convenient residential streets with parking. You can park a little further away, near Woodhouse Moor. The walk into town will take you past the Universities of Leeds and Leeds Beckett. This route also takes you past the First Direct Arena, the Leeds City Museum, and the Leeds General Infirmary.
- Springfield Mount LS2 9NE – 0.7 miles
- Mount Preston Street LS2 9JP – 0.7 miles
- Wintoun Street LS7 1DX – 0.7 miles
- Whitelock Street LS7 1AL – 0.8 miles
- Clarendon Road LS2 9PJ – 0.9 miles
- Shay Street LS6 2PZ – 1 mile
- North West Road LS6 2QF – 1 mile
- Education Road LS7 2AL – 1.1 miles
- Eltham Drive LS6 2TU – 1.1 miles
- Eltham Gardens LS6 2TX – 1.1 miles
- Craven Road LS6 2RX – 1.2 miles
- Bayswater Row LS8 5LH – 1.5 miles
East
While there aren’t many free parking options to the east of Leeds, parking in the streets below will put you close to both St James’ and Chapel Allerton hospitals. Walking into the city from this direction will take you past the First Direct Arena and the Leeds Grand Theatre before reaching the city center.
- Pilot Street LS9 7NF – 1 mile
- Glensdale Grove LS9 9JL – 1.5 miles
- Elford Place East LS8 5QB – 1.6 miles
- Ashley Terrace LS9 7AQ – 1.7 miles
- Florence Grove LS9 7AN – 1.8 miles
- Florence Mount LS9 7AU – 1.8 miles
- Darfield Crescent LS8 5DA – 1.8 miles
- Darfield Avenue LS8 5DB – 1.8 miles
- Cowper Avenue LS9 7AZ – 1.9 miles
South
Coming into Leeds from the south is a good option for shoppers visiting the city. Your path would take you past the Crown Point and Trinity shopping malls, as well as the Kirkgate Market, Europe’s largest covered market. Walking south will also take you past Leeds railway station and not far from the Royal Armouries Museum, as well as several art galleries and event venues.
- Bath Road LS11 9UA – 0.9 miles
- Balm Walk LS11 9PG – 1.3 miles
- Meynell Approach LS11 9PZ – 1.3 miles
- Pleasant Terrace LS11 9NU – 1.4 miles
- St Matthews Street LS11 9NR – 1.4 miles
Although the following residential streets are further from the city center, they are the closest to Elland Road Stadium, making them ideal for football fans.
- Lowfields Road LS12 6BS – 2.1 miles
- Low Fields Way LS12 6HQ – 2.1 miles
- Benyon Park Way LS12 6DP – 2.1 miles
- Latchmore Road LS12 6DN – 2.2 miles
- Cross Flatts Terrace LS11 7PD – 2.4 miles
- Cross Flatts Place LS11 7JN – 2.4 miles
- Sunnyview Avenue LS11 8QY – 2.4 miles
- Cross Flatts Grove LS11 7BW – 2.5 miles
- Waincliffe Terrace LS11 8EZ – 3 miles
- Waincliffe Drive LS11 8ET – 3 miles
- Cardinal Grove LS11 8HG – 3.2 miles
- Cardinal Avenue LS11 8HF – 3.2 miles
- Thirlmere Gardens LS11 8HL – 3.3 miles
- Thirlmere Close LS11 8JH – 3.3 miles
West
Parking is most convenient for Leeds General Infirmary and Leeds Beckett University to the west of the city center. You will also pass through two squares, Hanover and Park. Some of the shorter walks into the city center would also be accessible from this direction.
- Kendal Bank LS3 1NR – 0.7 miles
- Kendal Close LS3 1NT – 0.7 miles
- Hyde Terrace LS2 9LN – 0.7 miles
- Consort View LS3 1NX – 0.9 miles
Parking on residential streets is free, but it comes with its own set of risks and potential drawbacks. There is also a cost in terms of time and effort. Some of the streets listed are quite far from the city center and would take some time to walk to. This may be especially difficult for the elderly or disabled, as well as families with small children.
Park & Ride Services in Leeds
Because there aren’t many residential streets with free parking, another option you might consider is a Park & Ride. Leeds has three of these serving the city center, and the prices can be much lower than a central city parking garage.
Leeds’ Park & Ride services include free WiFi on all buses, which run every 10-20 minutes depending on which car park you enter. The parking lots are safe and well-lit, with heated and staffed waiting areas.
- Elland Road LS11 0EB – 1358 spaces: South & West of Leeds
- Temple Green LS9 0AA – 1391 spaces: North & East of Leeds
- Stourton LS10 1FF – 1200 spaces: South & Southwest of Leeds
The Park & Ride allows up to three children under the age of 19 to travel for the price of one adult fare, making it ideal for larger families and groups. The following are the ticket prices:
- Day Ticket: £3.00
- 5 People For £5.00 – available on Saturdays for 5 people travelling together
- Off-peak Day Ticket (after 1pm): £2.00 – starting point only from Temple Green
- Off-peak Day Ticket (after 3pm): £1.00 – starting point only from Temple Green
- Concessionary Passes for Senior, Blind and Disabled people (after 9:30 Mon-Fri and all day Saturday): £2.00
- All-day Saturday (from Temple Green only): £2.00
Cheapest Paid Parking Options in Leeds
If you prefer the convenience and added security of a paid parking lot, you don’t have to break the bank. While parking in the city center of Leeds is expensive, we have discovered several less expensive options, which we have listed below:
- Leeds Beckett University LS1 3HB – £3.40 for 2 hours
- Rose Bowl LS1 3HB – £3.40 for 2 hours
- International Pool LS1 4PH – £3.50 for 2 hours
- Skinner Street LS1 4LX – £3.60 for 2 hours
- Woodhouse Lane LS2 3AX – £2.20 for 2 hours
- Crown Street LS2 7DE – £3.60 for 2 hours
- Hunslet Lane LS10 1ES – £3.70 for 2 hours
Leeds is a bustling city with something for everyone. We hope that with the information on this page, you can find cheaper or completely free parking and get on with enjoying your time there.
Free & Paid Parking Near Popular Leeds Locations
You can use the maps below to find free and paid parking near some of Leeds’ most popular locations and attractions. The yellow pins on the maps represent free parking, while the orange pins represent the closest paid parking options.