Let’s first talk about York and then, we will explore the best parking spots there, both free and paid.
York is a historic city in northern England that dates back to Roman times. It is located at the meeting point of the rivers Ouse and Foss. The city has many beautiful old structures, such as the Castle, Minster, and City Walls. York has a population of over 200,000 people and receives approximately 8.4 million tourists each year. People are drawn to the city because of its rich history, museums, beautiful architecture, and charming, old-fashioned streets. The city is also only a two-hour train ride from London, making it easily accessible and convenient for many visitors.
York has a thriving arts scene, particularly in theatre. York is home to several famous actors, including Judi Dench. Shopping is another reason people visit the city; many come for the Shambles, a medieval shopping street with beautiful timber-framed buildings. York’s ancient architecture and aesthetic have made it a popular topic for travel blogs and websites.
Parking near York city center, as in any city, can be difficult if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Official parking lots are expensive, and the cost quickly adds up if you intend to spend any significant amount of time there. On this page, we provide the best free parking options in York – take a look at the map below for a quick overview, then read on for more information and tips on parking cheaply or for free in this beautiful old 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.
Parking in York
Free Car Parks in York
- Coppergate Centre YO1 9NX – 2 hours maximum stay
- Bishopthorpe Road YO23 1NA – 2 hours maximum stay
- Foss Island Retail Park YO31 7UR – 2 hours maximum stay (customers only)
- East Parade YO31 7YJ – 2 hours maximum stay
Residential Streets
One of the best ways to find free parking in a city is to park in the residential streets surrounding the center. What usually holds us back is that we are unfamiliar with the area and do not want to waste time looking for a suitable location. We discovered streets with unrestricted parking and compiled the following list, which is organized by direction from York city center. We have also included postcodes for your GPS and a rough walking distance.
North
Parking to the north of the city provides access to much of York’s history. You will have passed several museums on your way to the city center, including the Yorkshire Museum (including the Museum Gardens) and the York Art Gallery. Along the way, there’s also the stunning Gothic York Minster and York Abbey. Before reaching the medieval streets near the Shambles, take a slight detour to see the ancient city walls.
- Scarborough Terrace YO30 7AW – 0.8 miles
- Grosvenor Road YO30 7AN – 0.9 miles
- Huntington Mews YO31 8JB – 1 mile
- Ashville Street YO31 8RY – 1 mile
- Filey Terrace YO30 7AP – 1 mile
- Lumley Road YO30 6DB – 1 mile
- Ratcliffe Street YO30 6EN – 1.1 miles
- Greenfields YO31 8LA – 1.1 miles
- Surtees Street YO30 6DT – 1.1 miles
- Garth Terrace YO30 6DU – 1.2 miles
- Burton Stone Lane YO30 6EU – 1.2 miles
- Cromer Street YO30 6DL – 1.2 miles
East
East of York will provide you with a route that will take you past St Nick’s Nature Reserve before arriving at the city walls, which you can enter through Walmgate Bar, England’s only original town gate that has survived with its barbican intact. Many museums and the Shambles shopping street can be reached by walking along Rowntree’s Wharf.
- Barstow Avenue YO10 3HE – 1.2 miles
- Garrow Hill Avenue YO10 3HY – 1.2 miles
- Siward Street YO10 3LW – 1.3 miles
- Lamel Street YO10 3LL – 1.3 miles
- Milson Grove YO10 3AQ – 1.4 miles
- Norman Street YO10 3LH – 1.4 miles
- Lilac Avenue YO10 3AT – 1.5 miles
- Hadrian Avenue YO10 3RD – 1.7 miles
- Wycliffe Avenue YO10 3RH – 1.8 miles
South
Parking on these streets brings you closer to green spaces such as Walmgate Stray and Rowntree’s Park. Walking into the city from the south is ideal for seeing York Castle and its accompanying museum, as well as York Dungeon. The route is lined with museums, including the York Army Museum and the JORVIK Viking Centre.
- Terry Street YO23 1JQ – 0.9 miles
- Wenlock Terrace YO10 4DU – 1.1 miles
- Aldreth Grove YO23 1LB – 1.1 miles
- St Clements Grove YO23 1JZ – 1.1 miles
- Cameron Grove YO23 1LE – 1.1 miles
- Finsbury Street YO23 1LT – 1.2 miles
- Butcher Terrace YO23 1LS – 1.2 miles
- Brunswick Street YO23 1EB – 1.3 miles
- Queen Victoria Street YO23 1HW – 1.4 miles
- Adelaide Street YO23 1DL – 1.4 miles
- Sutherland Street YO23 1HQ – 1.4 miles
- Windsor Street YO23 1DN – 1.4 miles
- Albemarle Road YO23 1HD – 1.5 miles
West
While parking options are limited to the west of York, this direction is ideal for visitors to the Grand Opera House. The route takes you past the York railway station and across the River Ouse before arriving at the ancient city walls. The streets further out are convenient for visiting the York Cold War Bunker, Holgate Windmill, and Hob Moor.
- Railway Terrace YO24 4BN – 1.1 miles
- St Pauls Terrace YO24 4BL – 1.1 miles
- Wilton Rise YO24 4BT – 1.2 miles
- Hamilton Drive YO24 4JW – 1.5 miles
- Holly Bank Road YO24 4EB – 1.5 miles
- Collingwood Avenue YO24 4JY – 1.6 miles
- Windmill Rise YO26 4TU – 1.6 miles
Please follow the on-street parking rules when parking on residential streets. Keep noise to a minimum, especially in the evenings, and avoid parking on double-yellow lines or over driveways. Be respectful of the people who live nearby. Always remember that parking on residential streets is at your own risk.
The disadvantage of parking in residential streets is that you are not guaranteed a space, and even though it is free, getting to the city center takes more time and effort. This may be a less appealing option for people who are unable to walk long distances, such as the disabled, young children, and the elderly. Fortunately, there is another free parking option: the Park & Ride.
Park & Ride Services in York
While you must purchase a bus ticket to enter the city, you can park for free at the Park & Rides that serve York. As a result, you can avoid city driving and congestion while also not having to worry about finding a parking spot once you arrive. Up to three children under the age of sixteen can travel with the purchase of one adult bus ticket with York Park & Rides, making this option ideal for larger groups and families. The buses are convenient and run on a daily basis.
- Askham Bar YO24 1LW (1100 spaces) – south-west of York
- Designer Outlet YO19 4TA (600 spaces) – south of York
- Grimston Bar YO19 5LA (920 spaces) – east of York
- Monks Cross YO32 9JU (800 spaces) – north-east of York
- Poppleton Bar YO26 6QF (600 spaces) – north-west of York (TEMPORARILY CLOSED)
- Rawcliffe Bar YO30 5XZ (1000 spaces) – north-west of York
Fares:
- Standard adult return: £3.50
- Concessionary return: £1.20
- Child return: £1.70
- Smart 5-day carnet: £15.75
- Smart weekly: £14.00
- First Group day ticket – up to 5 people travelling together after 9am on weekdays and any time on weekends: £10.00
Cheapest Paid Parking Options in York
If you prefer the convenience and security of an official parking lot, it is still possible to find one that is reasonably priced. Many of the car parks in York, like most city centers, are expensive, so we have compiled a list of the cheapest car parks for your convenience, including postcodes and pricing.
- Castle Car Park YO1 9SA – £3.00 for 2 hours
- St Georges Field YO10 4FH – £3.00 for 2 hours
- Peel Street YO1 9PZ – £2.50 for 2 hours
- Nunnery Lane YO23 1AA – £3.00 for 2 hours
- Rowntrees Wharf YO1 9XA – £2.50 for 2 hours
- Esplanade YO26 4ZP – £3.00 for 2 hours
- Layerthorpe YO31 7UZ – £2.40 for 2 hours
- Barbican Road YO10 5AA – £1.95 for 2 hours
- James Street YO10 3WW – £2.20 for 2 hours
- Carlisle Street YO26 4XN – £2.50 for 2 hours
York is a lovely and fascinating city where you will want to spend a lot of time. You won’t have to break the bank to do so with the information on this page.