Let’s first talk about Bristol and then, we will explore the best parking spots there, both free and paid.
Bristol, a city in southwest England, has a population of over 700,000 people. The city began as an important port on the Avon River and has a rich maritime and industrial history. Bristol’s architectural styles range from Georgian elegance in Clifton to Brutalist post-war buildings in the 1950s.
Bristol is now a well-known arts hub, particularly for street art. Bristol is also the southwest’s most culturally and ethnically diverse city, with 50 countries of origin identified in 2015. This has resulted in an incredibly diverse number of restaurants and street food stalls springing up, making Bristol an ideal destination for foodies as well.
Bristol, like most British cities, can be difficult to reach by car. One of the most pressing issues people face is finding affordable parking; parking in city centers can quickly add up and become prohibitively expensive. It can also be difficult to find available parking spaces, given that Bristol and its surrounding areas attract approximately 20 million tourists per year!
Now let’s explore, where we can find Free and Paid Parking Spaces in Bristol!
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 Bristol
Free, Unrestricted Residential Streetside Parking
Using residential streets to park for free is one option in Bristol. Normally, if you are unfamiliar with the city, this would be difficult, requiring a lot of driving around and looking for streets with available space. We have compiled a list of all the streets with free parking opportunities below, complete with postcodes and distances from the city center. To help you find the most convenient options, the list is divided into directions from which you can approach Bristol.
Remember that these are streets where people live and work. Keep noise to a minimum, especially in the evenings, avoid parking on double yellow lines or over driveways, and double-check for any street signage with parking rules, if any.
North Bristol
Parking in Bristol’s northwestern outskirts is ideal for the more adventurous visitor. The walk to the city center will take you down the artsy Gloucester/Cheltenham Road, which is a bright cornucopia of street art, eccentric people, quirky bars, and cuisine from all over the world – all in one place!
- Lower Ashley Road BS5 0YL – 1.2 miles
- Cromwell Road BS6 5HB – 1.4 miles
- North Road BS6 5AJ – 1.4 miles
- Belvoir Road BS6 5DQ – 1.4 miles
- Chesterfield Road BS6 5DU – 1.4 miles
- Horley Road BS2 9TL – 1.4 miles
- Burghley Road BS6 5BN – 1.5 miles
- Oxford Place BS5 0NR – 1.5 miles
- Cambridge Park BS6 6XN – 1.9 miles
- Downleaze BS9 1LY – 2.3 miles
- Julian Road BS9 1NQ – 2.3 miles
- Ivywell Road BS9 1NX – 2.4 miles
- Cossins Road BS6 7LY – 2 miles
East Bristol
Anyone traveling between Bath and London will find these streets to be the most convenient for parking. These eastern streets are the closest you can get to the city center without paying, no matter which direction you come from. On your way to town, keep an eye out for Banksy paintings!
- Barton Manor BS2 0RL – 0.8 miles
- Saint Philips Road BS2 0JS – 0.9 miles
- Sussex Street BS2 0RA – 1 mile
- Folly Lane BS2 0RH – 1 mile
- Days Road BS2 0QS – 1.1 miles
- George Jones Road BS2 0QP – 1.1 miles
- Chancery Street BS5 0AA – 1.3 miles
- Lincoln Street BS5 0BJ – 1.4 miles
- Peters Terrace BS5 0BW – 1.4 miles
South Bristol
Parking in Bristol’s south is one of the best ways to get close to the city center, which includes the famous waterfront, a bustling shopping district, and several entertainment venues such as the Hippodrome and o2 Academy. You will be closer to Brunel’s SS Great Britain and Brandon Hill as well.
- William Street BS3 4TY – 1 mile
- Richmond Street BS3 4TH – 1.1 miles
- Green Street BS3 4UA – 1.1 miles
- Stevens Crescent BS3 4UJ – 1.2 miles
- Gladstone Street BS3 3AY – 1.5 miles
West Bristol
For visitors coming from Wales or the West Country, parking on Bristol’s west side is more convenient. It is a bit of a walk to the center, but you will pass the famous College Green and M Shed, the waterfront independent theatre, on your way.
If you want to visit the swanky Clifton neighborhood, including the magnificent 101-metre-tall Clifton Suspension Bridge, park to the west of the city. You will be closer to the Bristol Zoo and the Clifton Observatory as well.
- Burwalls Road BS8 3PT – 2.3 miles
- Bannerleigh Road BS8 3PF – 2.3 miles
- Paxton Drive BS3 2BE – 2.4 miles
Obtaining free parking on residential Bristol streets has a cost – time and effort. The elderly, disabled, and small children may find the walk into the center difficult. It may also take some time to locate available space, and there are no guarantees.
Free Overnight Car Parks in Bristol
Don’t want to leave your car on the street overnight but also do not want to pay a fortune for parking? Check out this list of parking lots that provide free overnight parking.
- Diamond Street BS3 3LF – Free between 5pm and 9am
- Little Paradise BS3 4NE – Free between 5pm and 9am
- Hereford Street BS3 4NA – Free between 5pm and 9am
- Sheene Road BS3 4JE – Free between 5pm and 9am
- Ducie Road BS5 0AF – Always free, Max stay 3h Mon-Sat 8am-6pm
- The Mall, Cribbs Causeway BS34 5DG
Bristol Park and Ride
Using Park and Ride services is a great way to save money on parking. While this frequently necessitates leaving your car in a secure parking lot a few miles from your destination, Park and Rides usually offer parking at a low enough cost to justify the inconvenience and cost of the transportation ticket.
- Long Ashton Park & Ride BS3 2HB – Southwest of Bristol | 2h Free parking
- A4 Bath Road Park & Ride BS4 5RU – Southeast of Bristol | 2h Free parking
- Portway Park & Ride BS11 9QE – Northwest of Bristol | 2h Free parking
- Brislington Park & Ride BS4 5RU – Southeast of Bristol | Free all-day parking
Cheapest Paid Parking Options near Bristol City Centre
If you prefer to park near the center of Bristol, there are paid options that are closer to the main attractions. Prices can be very high in some areas, so we have compiled a list of paid car parks with the lowest rates, including postcodes to make it easier to find them.
- Wapping Wharf Car Park BS1 4RH – £2.50 for 2 hours
- The Galleries BS1 3XD – £3.40 for 2 hours
- Trenchard Street Car Park BS1 5AN – £5.00 for 2 hours
- The Grove Car Park BS1 4RB – £5.00 for 2 hours
- Portwall Lane Car Park BS1 6AL – £5.00 for 2 hours
- West End Car Park BS8 1EH – £5.00 for 2 hours
- Frog Lane Car Park BS1 5UY – £5.00 for 2 hours
- College Street Car Park BS1 5AF – £5.00 for 2 hours
Pre-planning your trip to Bristol can significantly reduce the cost of driving into the city. You can save up to £20 per day by using the information we have provided to find a free or cheaper parking space.