Durham is a beautiful cathedral city in the North of England, with one of the country’s most reputable universities. If you are looking to park for free in Durham without restrictions, we’ll show you exactly where to park.
3 places to park for free in Durham (2026)
Anyone who has visited Durham in the past will know just how difficult it can be to not only navigate the city centre, but also find affordable parking.
When you park in one of the council run car parks in Durham, you can expect to pay a premium for these spaces, so if you can manage a 15-20 minute walk, you should consider one of the recommend free parking spots.
You can park for free in Durham on the following streets near to the city centre:
You can expect a 15-20 minute walk to your free parking spots or you could jump on the regular bus service that heads into the town centre.
What to know about parking free in Durham
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
Cheap Parking in Durham
Free car parks in Durham
You can park for free in Durham between 6pm and 8am at Providence Row Car Park. For a limited time, Durham Council are also offering free parking across their car parks after 2pm.
| Car Park | Address | Spaces | Free Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence Row Car Park | Providence Row, Durham, DH1 1LH | 19 | 6pm – 8am Mon to Saturday and all day Sunday |
Free on-street parking in Durham
If you would prefer to park in an on-street parking bay close to Durham city centre, there are plenty of free on-street parking options close to popular amenities and attractions.
All on-street parking bays are free of charge between 6pm and 8am as well as all day Sunday. These spaces are available on the following streets:
- Albert Street
- North Road
- South Street
- Margery Lane
- Claypath
| Street | Free Parking |
|---|---|
| Albert Street | 6pm – 8am, Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| North Road | 6pm – 8am, Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| South Street | 6pm – 8am, Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| Margery Lane | 6pm – 8am, Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| Claypath | 6pm – 8am, Sundays and Bank Holidays |
Durham Park & Ride Sites
Durham has 3 park and ride sites that cover the city, including Belmont Park & Ride, Howlands Farm Park & Ride and Sniperley Park & Ride.
Durham’s Park & Ride facilities are incredibly affordable and make getting into the city much easier, especially during busy times.
For just £2 per person, you can park until 7pm and get unlimited bus travel for the day.
| Park and Ride Site | Address | Bus Service |
|---|---|---|
| Belmont Park and Ride | Durham, DH1 1BA | Every 15 minutes |
| Howlands Farm Park and Ride | Howlands Farm, DH1 3TQ | Every 15 minutes |
| Sniperley Park and Ride | Sniperley, DH1 5RA | Every 15 minutes |
Free overnight parking in Durham
If you are parking in Durham after 6pm, you can park for free at the following on-street parking locations, providing you return to your car by 8am the following day. These car parks or on-street locations are within a 10 minute walk of the city centre:
| Car Park | Address | Spaces | Free Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence Row Car Park | Providence Row, Durham, DH1 1LH | 19 | 6pm – 8am and Sundays |
| Street | Free Parking |
|---|---|
| Albert Street | 6pm – 8am, Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| North Road | 6pm – 8am, Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| South Street | 6pm – 8am, Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| Margery Lane | 6pm – 8am, Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| Claypath | 6pm – 8am, Sundays and Bank Holidays |
Coach parking in Durham
Coach drivers are advised to drop passengers off at Freeman’s Place, which is just a short distance from Durham Cathedral and from there, drive to Belmont Park & Ride site where there is ample free coach parking available.
There are toilet facilities at Belmont Park & Ride and coach drivers can take advantage of free bus travel into the city during their stay.
Free Motorcycle parking in Durham
Motorcycles and mopeds are permitted to park in either pay and display car parks or on-street parking bays in Durham free of charge and without time limits. These locations include:
- Framwellgate Waterside
- Claypath (opposite Millennium Place)
- Cross View Terrace, Neville’s Cross
When parking on-street, motorcycles are requested to park at a 90 degree angle, to take up as little space as possible.
Free Motorhome parking in Durham
Motorhomes are permitted to park in any car park in and around Durham, but if they take up more than one parking spot, multiple parking tickets should be purchased.
Motorhomes are also permitted to park at any of the Park & Ride sites free of charge and there are dedicated motorhome spaces.
| Car Park | Address | Spaces | Free Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence Row Car Park | Providence Row, Durham, DH1 1LH | 19 | 6pm – 8am and Sundays |
Permit parking in Durham
If you are a resident of a restricted parking zone in Durham, 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 £40 for 12 months. In order to apply for a permit, you will need proof of residence and proof of vehicle.
You can also purchase visitor passes which cost around £4.50 for a book.
About Durham
Durham is a cathedral city based in the North East of England and also home to one of the most prestigious universities in the country.
The steep cobbled streets are very quintessentially British, with little boutique shops lining the city centre.
The river offers a great place to walk or even enjoy a boat ride, whatever the weather.
If dining out is more your bag, there’s certainly no shortage of restaurants, cafe’s and bistros to sample.
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 Durham:
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 10th, 2024