
Whitby is a very small seaside town with very tight streets, so we recommend finding a free parking spot in Whitby without any restrictions and walking into the town centre for a stress free experience.
5 places to park for free in Whitby (2026)
You can park for free in Whitby in 2026 on the following streets near to the town centre:
Whitby is a very small fishing town so you don’t need to worry about your free parking spot being too far away. You can expect a 10 minute walk from your free parking spot to the centre of Whitby.
You should always check for any newly installed restriction signs before leaving your car.
What to consider when parking free in Whitby
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 Whitby
We found the cheapest car park in Whitby to be Sainsbury’s car park, which can be pre-booked via Your Parking Space, even if you are not a customer.
You book this car park all day (9am – 5pm) for just £2.15, so it’s a great option for commuters or those visiting Whitby for the full day.
Cheapest monthly parking in Whitby
We found the cheapest car park for monthly parking in Whitby to be Sainsbury’s car park which costs £31.50 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 parking near Whitby Abbey
You can park for free near Whitby Abbey on the following streets nearby:
- Valley Road
- Larpool Lane
- Mulgrave Road
- Mulgrave Crescent
- Parson’s Close
If you’re visiting Whitby Abbey in the Low Season (1st November to 30th March), you can park for free all-day at Abbey Headland car park, just next to Whitby Abbey visitor centre.
Whitby Abbey is located at the top of Whitby’s famous 199 steps, but once you’ve made your way up, there’s some truly spectacular views across Whitby, the harbour and out to sea.

Prices for Whitby Abbey are £11 per adult, or you can purchase an English Heritage pass for £66 which allows you annual access to all of the English Heritage sites across the UK, including Whitby Abbey.
Free parking near Whitby beach
If you are planning on visiting Whitby Beach for the day, parking can get expensive. You can park for free near Whitby beach on the following streets:
- Valley Road
- Mulgrave Road
- Mulgrave Crescent
- Parson’s Close
Whitby Beach is popular with families, couples and locals, all looking to take in the views and enjoy the fresh air.

Whitby Beach is easy to access from the town, with just a 10 minute walk by the harbour, passing the amusements and cafes to get there. Once there, you can expect miles of clean sands, a pier and colourful beach huts.
Free parking near Whitby Harbour
Whitby Harbour is just a stones throw away from the town centre, and a 5 minute walk from Whitby Beach.

With plenty of fish and chip takeaways and ice cream parlours around, you can always sit by Whitby Harbour and take in the views. You can park for free near Whitby harbour on the following streets:
- Valley Road
- Mulgrave Road
- Mulgrave Crescent
- Parson’s Close
Whitby Beach is popular with families, couples and locals, all looking to take in the views and enjoy the fresh air.
Whitby Beach is easy to access from the town, with just a 10 minute walk by the harbour, passing the amusements and cafes to get there. Once there, you can expect miles of clean sands, a pier and colourful beach huts.
Free car parks in Whitby
You can park for free in Whitby between 6pm and 9am at the following car parks:
| Car Park | Address | Spaces | Free Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey Headland Car Park | Abbey Lane, Whitby, YO22 4JT | 415 | 6pm – 9am in High Season (1st March to 31st October), all day Low Season (1st November to 30th March). |
| Cliff Street Car Park | Cliff Street, Whitby, YO21 3DD | 37 | 6pm – 9am |
| Marina Back Car Park | Langbourne Road, Whitby, YO21 1YN | 350 | 6pm – 9am |
| Marina Front Car Park | Langbourne Road, Whitby, YO21 1YN | 96 | 6pm – 9am |
| West Cliff Car Park | Pavillion Drive, Whitby, YO21 3EG | 424 | 6pm – 9am |
| Back St Hilda’s Terrace Car Park | Back St Hilda’s Terrace, Whitby, YO21 3AE | 20 | 6pm – 9am |
If you’re visiting Whitby in the Low Season (1st November to 30th March), you can park for free all-day at Abbey Headland car park, just next to Whitby Abbey.
These car parks are conveniently located in the centre of Whitby, or just a 5 minute walk depending which car park you use.
If you’re planning on visiting for an evening stroll or to enjoy one of the restaurants, these free car parking options would suit you best.
Free on-street parking in Whitby
If you prefer to park in on-street parking bays close to the town centre, you can park for free across Whitby at the following locations between 7pm and 9am:
- St Hilda’s Terrace
- Flowergate
- Walker Street
- Newton Street
- Crescent Avenue
Free overnight parking in Whitby
The following council car parks offer free overnight parking, but you must return to your car by 9am to avoid paying parking charges:
| Car Park | Address | Spaces | Free Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey Headland Car Park | Abbey Lane, Whitby, YO22 4JT | 415 | 6pm – 9am |
| Cliff Street Car Park | Cliff Street, Whitby, YO21 3DD | 37 | 6pm – 9am |
| Marina Back Car Park | Langbourne Road, Whitby, YO21 1YN | 350 | 6pm – 9am |
| Marina Front Car Park | Langbourne Road, Whitby, YO21 1YN | 96 | 6pm – 9am |
| West Cliff Car Park | Pavillion Drive, Whitby, YO21 3EG | 424 | 6pm – 9am |
| Back St Hilda’s Terrace Car Park | Back St Hilda’s Terrace, Whitby, YO21 3AE | 20 | 6pm – 9am |
Free motorcycle parking in Whitby
Motorcycles can park for free in Whitby at on-street parking locations and off-street car parks, including:
| Car Park | Address | Motorcycle Bays |
|---|---|---|
| Cliff Street Car Park | Cliff Street, Whitby, YO21 3DD | 37 |
| Marina Back Car Park | Langbourne Road, Whitby, YO21 1YN | 350 |
| Marina Front Car Park | Langbourne Road, Whitby, YO21 1YN | 96 |
| West Cliff Car Park | Pavillion Drive, Whitby, YO21 3EG | 424 |
- St Hilda’s Terrace
- Flowergate
- Walker Street
- Newton Street
- Crescent Avenue
Motorcycles should park in dedicated motorcycle bays where possible, but are also permitted to park in standard bays.
Coach parking in Whitby
If you are travelling to Whitby by coach, there are several council car parks that offer coach parking, including:
- Abbey Headland Car Park – £10
- Marina Back Car Park – £15
- West Cliff Car Park – £10
There are charges that do apply to these car parks, so if you would rather just drop off your passengers and return later, there is a coach drop off point on Langborne Road outside the Co-op.
Residential parking in Whitby
If you live in Whitby, you can apply for a residents permit to park in restricted zones.
You can apply for the permit which costs around £30, allowing you to park in the disc zones around your home.
In order to apply, you will need to provide proof of address, a utility bill and proof of vehicle ownership.
About Whitby, North Yorkshire
Whitby is located on the North Yorkshire coast and offers visitors plenty of culture, beautiful sandy beaches and unique shops to peruse.
Whitby is most famous for its Abbey and its connections to Dracula, which itself attracts thousands of visitors a year.
The Whitby Goth Weekend is an annual event that brings like minded people together to enjoy the town and its history.
Whitby is accessible to all, but quite steep so it’s recommended you bring good walking shoes and any aids you may need. The cobbled streets are quite tight but also home to some unique gift shops, so make sure you have plenty of time to explore and enjoy.
The sandy beach is great for those with children, who can make sandcastles and splash in the sea to their hearts content.
The lighthouse and pier is one of the main attractions which offers fantastic panoramic views of the town and out to sea.
If you are are comfortable with a steep walk, we recommend visiting the famous whale bone arch, which is a great backdrop for a family photo.
If you are visiting Whitby for a short break, why not take a trip to explore the other seaside towns on the North Yorkshire coast, including Scarborough and Bridlington.
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 Whitby:
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 12th, 2024