If you are familiar with Canterbury, you will know that parking, and most definitely free parking in Canterbury can be difficult due to the restrictions, so we show you the best options for free parking in Canterbury without restrictions.
4 places to park for free in Canterbury 2026
Canterbury is very much a typical British city with medieval history around every corner, but this also means its not the easiest city to drive around.
In fact, there is so much beauty in Canterbury that you should really explore on foot, so it’s recommended you use one of the free parking spots close to the city centre and save yourself some money in the process.
The following streets offer un-restricted FREE parking spots in Canterbury:
You should always check for any newly installed restriction signs before leaving your car.
What to know about parking free in Canterbury
When parking, please be considerate of others:
- Ensure you don’t block any driveways
- Tuck your car as close to the kerb as possible.
- Don’t double park as you may be parked on a bus route
Cheapest all-day parking in Canterbury
We found the cheapest car park in Canterbury to be Sainsbury’s, Canterbury car park, which can be pre-booked, even if you are not a customer.
You book this car park all day (9am – 5pm) for just £4.50, so it’s a great option for commuters or those visiting Canterbury for the full day.
Cheapest monthly parking in Canterbury
We found the cheapest car park for monthly parking in Canterbury to be Morrisons, Ten Perch Road, car park, which costs £45 per month, making it ideal for commuters.
You can use this car park 7 days a week, including overnight, and leave and re-enter the car park as many times as you need to, but you must pre-book.
Free Parking near Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral sits proudly in the city centre, and is one of the oldest cathedrals in the country. There is an entrance fee to enjoy the cathedral and the grounds, but you can spend a few hours taking in the architecture.
For free parking near Canterbury Cathedral, you can park on Saint Michael’s Road, Cotton Road, Cogans Terrace and Victoria Road which have no restrictions.
Free car parks in Canterbury
You can park for free at Victoria Recreation Park, Canterbury for 2 hours, with any additional hours costing £1.70 per hour. To take advantage of this free 2 hour parking, you need to use the RingGo app to book a space.
You can also park for free in Canterbury for up to 30 minutes at Toddlers Cove Car Park, Canterbury, CT2 8BG.
Affordable: £1 for two hours:
- Kingsmead Leisure Centre, Canterbury CT2 7PH
Evening Rate: £2 between 9pm and 7.30am:
- Cow Lane, Canterbury CT1 3RT – free after 9pm
- Castle Street Multi-Storey , Canterbury CT1 2QD
- Castle Row, Canterbury CT1 2PT
- Holman’s Meadow, Canterbury CT1 3JB
- Longport, Canterbury CT1 1DU
- Maynard Road, Canterbury CT1 3RH – free after 9pm
- Millers Field, Canterbury CT2 7EF
- North Lane, Canterbury CT2 7EB
- Northgate, Canterbury CT1 1BL
- Pound Lane, Canterbury CT1 2BZ
- Queningate, Canterbury CT1 2HJ
- St Radigunds, Canterbury CT1 2AA
- Station Road West multi-storey, Canterbury CT2 8AN
- Watling Street, Canterbury CT1 2UD
- Whitefriars Multi-Storey, Canterbury CT1 2TF
Free street parking in Canterbury
If you prefer to park in on-street parking spots rather than a car park, you can definitely take advantage of the free on-street parking in Canterbury during certain hours of the day at the following locations:
| Zone | Free Parking |
|---|---|
| All Saints zone | 4pm – 8am and weekends |
| Holy Cross zone | 4pm – 8am and weekends |
| St Dunstan’s zone | 6.30pm – 8am and Sundays |
| St Jacob’s zone | 6.30pm – 8am and Sundays |
| St Mildred’s zone | 4pm – 8am and weekends |
| St Lawrence zone | 4pm – 8am and weekends |
| St Stephen’s zone | 4pm – 8am and weekends |
| St Gregory’s zone | 6.30pm – 8am and Sundays |
| St Martin’s zone | 6.30pm – 8am and Sundays |
| Sturry zone | 6.30pm – 8am and Sundays |
Canterbury Park & Ride Sites
There are three park and ride sites available for those looking for a low cost alternative to parking in Canterbury. With the park and ride service, you can benefit from just paying for a bus fare.
All buses have Free WiFi and individual charging points for both phones and laptops, allowing you to stay connected during your journey.
| Park and Ride Site | Address | Max Stay | Use For |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Dover Road Park & Ride | CT1 3EJ | 48 hours | Kent County Cricket Club, Whitefriars Centre |
| Sturry Road Park & Ride | CT1 1AD | 48 hours | The Kings Mile, Canterbury Cathedral, Whitefriars Centre |
| Wincheap Park & Ride | CT1 3TQ | 48 hours | Whitefriars Centre, Thanington Recreational Ground |
Canterbury Park & Ride Bus Ticket Prices
| Ticket Type | Price |
| Parking and Bus Return (up to 6 passengers) | £4.00 |
Overnight parking in Canterbury
Whilst there is no free overnight parking, unless you use one of our recommended free parking spots, you can use the following car parks which have a small charge for overnight parking.
Evening Rate: £2 between 9pm and 7.30am:
- Cow Lane, Canterbury CT1 3RT – free after 9pm
- Castle Street Multi-Storey , Canterbury CT1 2QD
- Castle Row, Canterbury CT1 2PT
- Holman’s Meadow, Canterbury CT1 3JB
- Longport, Canterbury CT1 1DU
- Maynard Road, Canterbury CT1 3RH – free after 9pm
- Millers Field, Canterbury CT2 7EF
- North Lane, Canterbury CT2 7EB
- Northgate, Canterbury CT1 1BL
- Pound Lane, Canterbury CT1 2BZ
- Queningate, Canterbury CT1 2HJ
- St Radigunds, Canterbury CT1 2AA
- Station Road West multi-storey, Canterbury CT2 8AN
- Watling Street, Canterbury CT1 2UD
- Whitefriars Multi-Storey, Canterbury CT1 2TF
Coach parking in Canterbury
The most accessible coach parking is at Canterbury Coach Park, Canterbury CT1 1BW which costs around £8 for up to 6 hours. Motorhome parking is also allowed here.
This car park is located within a stone’s throw from Canterbury centre.
Free disabled parking in Canterbury
If you have a Blue Badge, you are entitled to park in the following car parks and on-street parking spaces in Canterbury free of charge for up to two hours:
- Castle Row Car Park
- Castle Street Car Park
- Holman’s Meadow Car Park
- Kingsmead Leisure Centre
- Cow Lane
- Longport Car Park
- North Lane
- Nortgate
Free Motorcycle parking in Canterbury
If you are visiting Canterbury by motorcycle or moped, you might want to plan where you are going to park. The following car parks have dedicated motorcycle parking bays that are free of charge:
- Castle Row Car Park
- Castle Street Car Park
- Whitefriar’s Multi Storey Car Park
- Gladstone Road Car Park
- Holman’s Meadow Car Park
- Longport Car Park
Residential parking in Canterbury
If you are a resident in Canterbury where permits are required, you can apply for a residents parking permit.
In order to apply, you will need to prove you are a resident, so will be required to provide proof of address and proof of vehicle.
Prices for a one year permit start at £60.
About Canterbury, UK
Canterbury is a beautiful, historic town on the South East coast of England. There are three UNESCO sites in Canterbury for those who enjoy learning about the history of local areas. These are St Martin’s Church, St Augustine’s Abbey and the Cathedral.
Canterbury is surrounded by stunning countryside as well as some of Kent’s popular seaside towns such as Whitstable and Herne Bay, so if you can visit the area by car, it’s worth it.
The town centre has a range of independent shops and eateries to enjoy, so it’s the ideal place to explore as a romantic getaway or for some retail therapy with friends.
Other towns and cities nearby
If you’re visiting the area for a short trip or just looking for things to do nearby, you can explore these towns and cities that are near to Canterbury:
About the Author
Hi, my name is Amber and I’m here to help find you suitable free parking in towns and cities across the UK.
When I visit new towns and cities, I always take note of where you can (legally) park for free, whether this be on-street parking bays or council run car parks, which offer free parking during certain hours of the day.
Although I take every effort to ensure this information is up to date and correct, if you notice an issue, please get in touch so I can rectify it for everyone.
Amber
Information was last updated on January 8th, 2024