If you are visiting Colchester either for a day of shopping or to meet up with friends or family, we will show you where to park without restrictions.
4 places to park for free in Colchester (2026)
You can park for free in Colchester on the following streets near to the city centre:
What to know about parking free in Colchester
When parking, please take into consideration:
- Be considerate – most free parking is on residential streets, so do not block driveways or exit routes
- Ensure there is enough space for larger vehicles to pass, especially if you park in a residential area
Cheapest all-day parking in Colchester
We found the cheapest car park in Colchester to be Asda, Colchester 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 Colchester for the full day.
Cheapest monthly parking in Colchester
We found the cheapest car park for monthly parking in Colchester to be Premier Inn Colchester car park, which costs £100 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, although you must pre-book.
Free car parks in Colchester
There are unfortunately no free car parks in Colchester town centre, but the following car parks in Colchester cost just 90p per hour to park overnight between 6pm and 6am:
| Car Park | Spaces |
| Sheepen Road | 54 |
| Napier Road North | 85 |
| Vineyard Street Car Park | 101 |
Free on-street parking in Colchester
Some residential streets in Colchester are free to park all-day Sunday and after 6pm daily. These streets include Creffield Road, Wellesley Road, Oxford Road and Salisbury Avenue.
Free motorcycle parking in Colchester
Motorcycles and mopeds are permitted to park free of charge in the following car parks in and around Colchester, providing you use the dedicated bays:
| Car Park |
|---|
| Vineyard Street Car Park |
| Sheepen Road Car Park |
Free disabled parking in Colchester
If you are a Blue Badge holder, you can park for free for 3 hours at the following car parks in and around Colchester:
| Car Park | Disabled Spaces | Free Parking |
| Vineyard Street Car Park | 5 | 3 hours |
| St Mary’s Car Park | 8 | 3 hours |
| Britannia Car Park | 9 | 3 hours |
| Priory Street Car Park | 7 | 3 hours |
| Sheepen Road Car Park | No dedicated bays | 3 hours |
| St John’s | 14 | 3 hours |
Coach parking in Colchester
If you are travelling to Colchester by coach, you can park for free in one of the two coach bays at nearby Mill Lane Car and Coach Park in Dedham which is around 8.5 miles away from the town centre.
Alternatively, Sheepen Road Lorry Park is suitable for vehicles over 2,000kg and the following charges apply:
- Up to 6 hours – £5.50
- Up to 12 hours – £10.00
Permit parking in Colchester
If you are a resident of a restricted parking zone in Colchester, you can apply for a residents parking permit, which allows you to park your car on any street in that zone.
Residents permits cost around £68 for 12 months depending on the street you reside. In order to apply for a permit, you will need proof of residence and proof of vehicle.
Visitor passes can also be purchased for around £12.50.
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 Colchester:
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 June 10th, 2024