If you’re visiting Ipswich for the day, or even longer, parking can become expensive, so we recommend looking for a free parking spot instead.
We’ll show you the best options for free parking in Ipswich without restrictions.
5 places to park for free in Ipswich 2026
You can park for free in Ipswich on the following streets near to the town centre:
You should always check for any newly installed restriction signs before leaving your car.
What to know about parking free in Ipswich
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 Ipswich
We found the cheapest car park in Ipswich to be Premier Inn Town Centre car park, which you can book even if you are not staying at the hotel – but it must be pre-booked.
You book this car park all day (9am – 5pm) for just £5, so it’s a great option for commuters or those visiting Ipswich for the full day.
Cheapest monthly parking in Ipswich
We found the cheapest car park for monthly parking in Ipswich to be McCauleys Health & Sport car park, which costs £90 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 this car park.
Free car parks in Ipswich
The following council car parks across Ipswich are free of charge after 10pm. These include:
- William Street Car Park, IP1 3HX
- Elm Street Car Park, IP1 2AP
- Regent Theatre Car Park, IP4 2EA
Although not free of charge, you can park in the following car parks after 2pm for only £2.50 Mon to Fri:
- Elm Street Car Park, IP1 2AP
- Cromwell Square Car Park, IP1 1UP
- Regent Theatre Car Park, IP4 2EA
| Car Park | Address | Spaces | Free Parking | Disabled Bays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elm Street Car Park | Elm Street, Ipswich, IP1 2AP | 68 (2 x EV) | After 10pm | 4 |
| William Street Car Park | William Street, Ipswich, IP1 3HX | 77 | After 10pm | 3 |
| Regent Theatre Car Park | Cobden Place, Ipswich, IP4 2EA | 73 | After 10pm | 5 |
Free on-street parking in Ipswich
If you prefer to use on-street parking spots rather than public car parks, you can park for free in Ipswich at these on-street parking locations:
| On-Street Location | Free Parking |
|---|---|
| Black Horse Lane | After 8pm |
| Elm Street | After 8pm |
| Old Foundry Road | After 8pm |
| Shire Hall Yard | After 8pm |
| Smart Street | After 8pm |
Ipswich Park and Ride
Park and Ride might be one of the best options if you’re visiting Ipswich as there’s free parking on site and bus tickets are much cheaper than paying for parking close to the city centre.
There are two park and ride sites around Ipswich can be found at the following locations:
- London Road
- Martlesham
Busses run every 15 minutes and there’s free WiFi on board, so you can check your emails during your commute.
Bus tickets cost:
- £7.00 for 2 adults and up to 3 children
- £3.50 for a day ticket
Coach parking in Ipswich
The most suitable car park for coaches visiting Ipswich is West End Road Car Park, IP1 2DZ. Charges for coaches are only £12.50 for the day and there are 4 dedicated coach bays.
Overnight parking in Ipswich
For free overnight parking in Ipswich, use one of the recommended free parking spots or one of the following council car parks which are free after 10pm:
You can park for free overnight in Ipswich at the following locations:
- William Street Car Park, IP1 3HX
- Elm Street Car Park, IP1 2AP
- Regent Theatre Car Park, IP4 2EA
Alternatively, you can park for free in Ipswich in on-street parking bays after 8pm on the following streets:
| On-Street Location | Free Parking |
|---|---|
| Black Horse Lane | After 8pm |
| Elm Street | After 8pm |
| Old Foundry Road | After 8pm |
| Shire Hall Yard | After 8pm |
| Smart Street | After 8pm |
Residential parking in Ipswich
If you are a resident in Ipswich 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. You can expect a cost of around £40 per year for a residents parking permit.
Visitor parking permits can be purchased in the form of day permits.
About Ipswich, UK
Ipswich has something for everyone, with plenty of green space to enjoy and a range of heritage sites to explore.
Proudly known as the oldest Anglo-Saxon town in the country, Ipswich is home to Christchurch Mansion, set in the stunning Christchurch Park which is home to the following features and attractions:
- Bowling green
- Children’s play area
- Tennis courts
- Refreshment kiosk
There’s plenty of independent shops to support with Dial Lane and Buttermarket two of the main areas to visit.
If you’d rather do something different to the norm, take a trip down River Orwell on one of the River Cruises or rent a kayak and take a different view.
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 Ipswich:
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