Let’s first talk about Exeter and then, we will explore the best parking spots there, both free and paid.
Exeter is a wonderful little coastal city in England’s south west. It is only an hour’s drive up the A38 from Plymouth, Devon’s largest city, and a 40-minute drive from the fictional Basil Fawlty’s picturesque home town of Torquay. Devon is a lovely English county that, like Cornwall, has always been popular with British tourists due to its warm climate and incredible beaches. Despite its small population of 132,000, Exeter has its own airport with flights to and from the British Isles, Amsterdam, and Tenerife.
Exeter is extremely rich in history, and its location on the river Exe made it a natural crossing point for the pre-Roman Dumnonii tribe that first settled there. Exeter still has a Roman wall from the second century and the remains of Rougemont Castle, which was mentioned in Shakespeare’s Richard III. During WWII, it was heavily bombed with incendiary bombs, and the majority of the city center was completely destroyed. If you enjoy history, you should take one of Exeter’s free’red coat walking tours’ to get a sense of the city’s historical significance.
Exeter Cathedral, which was completed around the year 1400, is a popular tourist attraction. It has the largest mediaeval stone vaulted ceiling in the world, which resembles an inverted rib cage. The truly unique looking astronomical clock, which tells the time as well as the positions of the planets in our solar system and the zodiac signs, is another really interesting feature. If you are looking for a unique adventure, you can take the underground 14th century passages tour, which will reveal the city’s secrets. It is a one-of-a-kind experience, but we would not recommend it if you are claustrophobic!
If history is not your thing, head over to the vibrant Quays and grab a cup of coffee at one of the many cafes. The whole area has a really relaxed feel along the waterfront, and the pedestrian double suspension bridge makes for some really nice photos. Exeter has a plethora of museums, art galleries, and cultural events, and it has even been dubbed the UK’s third most beautiful city.
Whatever your interests are, there is no shortage of entertainment: Exeter has four theatres, numerous clubs and bars, and a climbing center. There are numerous parks, and the lovely sandy Dawlish Warren Beach is only a 30-minute drive south. As you might expect, Exeter is a popular tourist destination with 120,000 visitors per year, so finding parking can be difficult if you are new to the city. Fortunately for you, we have listed every single parking option in the city, including free residential parking and all other paid or short-term free parking options.
Now let’s explore, where we can find Free and Paid Parking Spaces in Exeter!
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 Exeter
Free, unrestricted residential street parking
With today’s high cost of living, we all need to be more cautious with our cash flow situations. Why not save money on parking by taking advantage of free residential street parking? Everything adds up in the end, so every pound counts! Exeter’s residential street parking is strictly enforced, but we have gathered all of your options to save you time. There is nothing dangerous about it, and by using the addresses below, you will not be breaking any rules, nor will you waste time looking around the city for free parking.
Consider the locals when using free residential street parking. Please park properly and do not block anyone’s driveway. Keep noise to a minimum, and if you do not feel safe, look for a different location. If you have any highly valuable items, we recommend not leaving them in the car and instead parking in a secure lot. Keep noise to a minimum and keep an eye out for any notices left by locals or new parking restrictions that may have been imposed. We always cover different areas of each city, as you can see on our other pages, but in this case, we could only find free residential street parking in the south of Exeter.
South
Free Parking Near Exeter Cathedral
If you are coming up from the south on the A38, or from the west on the M5, the following locations are all very accessible. We highly recommend taking a walk along the Exeter Ship Canal or the River Exe as a pleasant diversion on your way to the center. You can cross two road bridges on foot, and you will also pass the Exeter St. Thomas train station. If you have children, pets, or just want to have a quick kick around, you could take a short detour to Cowick Barton Playing Fields, which is nearby and well worth a visit. These locations are listed in descending order of distance from Exeter’s cathedral.
- Duckworth Road EX2 9BP – 1.1 miles
- Parkhouse Road EX2 9DB – 1.1 miles
- Coleridge Road EX2 9BZ – 1.1 miles
- Larch Road EX2 9DG – 1.3 miles
- Cowick Lane EX2 9RA – 1.5 miles
- Wardrew Road EX4 1HA – 1.1 miles
- Maple Road EX4 1BN – 0.9 miles
- Water Lane EX2 8EE – 1.2 miles
- Marsh Green Road North EX2 8LT – 1.6 miles
- Shaftesbury Road EX2 9BR – 1.1 miles
Free Parking in Exeter After 6pm/Overnight Car Parks
The following car parks are only free between 18:00 and 06:00, so as long as you leave before the parking police come looking for tickets, you will be fine. Please keep in mind that the other council-run car parks that are not on this list lock their gates between 18:00 and 06:00. You have been forewarned!
- Smythen Street Car Park EX1 1BN
- Haven Banks Car Park EX2 8GP
- Magdalen Street Car Park EX2 4HZ
Free after 6pm/Overnight/Sunday streetside parking
These addresses are great if you only need a parking spot for the night, but double-check any street signs regarding parking rules and leave before 08:00. On Sundays, parking is free.
- Cowick Street EX4 1HS – 0.8 miles
- Barnfield Hill EX1 1SR – 0.5 miles
- Richmond Road EX4 4JA – 0.5 miles
- Sidwell Street EX4 6NS – 0.5 miles
- Victoria Park Road EX2 4NX – 1.0 mile
- Thurlow Road EX4 7AB – 1.1 miles
Park and Ride Services
- Sowton Park and Ride EX2 5GL – east of Exeter
- Matford Park & Ride Car Park EX2 8FD – south of Exeter
- Wonford Hospital Park and Ride EX2 7PZ – east of Exeter
- Honiton Road Park and Ride Ex2 7JF – east of Exeter
Cheapest Paid Car Parks
- Devon & Exeter Squash Club EX4 4PR – £1.00 for 2 hours
- Flowerpot Lane Car Park EX4 1DJ – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Gordon’s Place EX1 2RF – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Haven Banks Car Park – Two EX2 8DP – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Holman Way Car Park EX3 0EN – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Okehampton Street Car Park EX4 1DY – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Station Road Car Park EX4 2AB – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Tappers Close Car Park EX3 0EQ – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Belmont Road Car Park EX1 2DE – £3.40 for 2 hours
- Cathedral & Quay Car Park EX1 1DE – £3.40 for 2 hours
- Howell Road Car Park EX4 4LZ – £3.40 for 2 hours
- Parr Street Car Park EX1 2BE – £3.40 for 2 hours
Free short-term parking (2h or less)
If you just need to fly somewhere, these commercial options are all excellent. You will not have any problems as long as you leave before your two hours are up. Keep an eye on the time to avoid any unnecessary stress, as cameras are in place and penalties are possible.
- Waitrose EX1 2ED
- Alphington Road Retail Park EX2 8HG
Free Parking in Okehampton
We haven’t been able to find free parking in Okehampton so far, but we have found the cheapest parking in Okehampton that is affordable for everyone.
- Okehampton Street Car Park EX4 1DY – £2.00 for 2 hours