Parking in Bath can feel confusing at first. However, a little planning makes the trip much easier. Therefore, this guide compares the main car parks, prices, free options and Park & Ride choices.
CAR-PARK TARIFF*
Where Should You Park in Bath City Centre?
For a full-day visit, start by comparing Charlotte Street, Avon Street and Manvers Street. These council car parks allow longer stays.
For example, Charlotte Street is useful for the western side of the centre. In addition, it has no height restriction. Therefore, it is a practical choice for many taller vehicles.
Meanwhile, Manvers Street works well for the southern side of Bath. In addition, it is useful if your trip involves Bath Spa railway station.
Alternatively, use Park & Ride if you want to avoid central traffic. Bath has three main Park & Ride sites. As a result, drivers approaching from several directions have an option outside the centre.
Bath City Centre Parking Prices for 2026
Bath uses an emission-based charging system. Therefore, there is not always one final parking price for every vehicle.
Currently, the standard base tariff starts at £1.70 for one hour. Meanwhile, a 24-hour base stay is listed at £17.10.
However, higher-emission vehicles can pay more. As a result, the payment system checks your registration before showing the correct charge.
Emission-based additions may increase the amount. Therefore, enter your registration and check the final price before payment.
More base tariff examples
For example, the current base price is £5.10 for three hours. In comparison, six hours costs £10.20. Meanwhile, an eight-hour base stay costs £13.60.
Charlotte Street also has an evening base charge of £1.50 from 6pm to 8pm. In addition, the standard overnight base charge is £1.50 from 8pm to 8am.
Again, emission-based additions can change these figures. For that reason, use these prices as a planning guide rather than a guaranteed quote.
How Emission-Based Parking Works in Bath
Bath bases part of its parking price on vehicle emissions. Therefore, two drivers can sometimes pay different amounts for a similar stay.
First, enter your registration at the machine or in MiPermit. Next, the system checks the available vehicle data. Then, it shows the parking charge that applies to your vehicle.
Electric vehicles do not receive an emission-based increase. Similarly, some lower-emission non-diesel vehicles remain on the base tariff.
However, older vehicles may not have a CO2 figure in the usual format. In that case, the system can use engine size instead.
Most importantly, you do not need to calculate the band yourself. Instead, check the amount shown before you complete payment.
Main Long-Stay Car Parks in Bath
Three council car parks offer both short and long stays. Specifically, these are Avon Street, Charlotte Street and Manvers Street.
However, each option serves a different part of the centre. Therefore, choose the location that best matches your route and final destination.
Charlotte Street
This car park is useful for Queen Square and the western side of Bath. Moreover, it can suit many taller vehicles.
Avon Street
Avon Street has 299 spaces. Moreover, drivers can buy up to seven days of parking.
Manvers Street
This location works well for the southern centre. In addition, it is close to the Bath Spa station area.
Charlotte Street Car Park
Charlotte Street is a useful choice for a longer visit. In addition, it sits close to the western side of central Bath.
Most importantly, the car park has no height restriction. Therefore, it can suit vans, campervans and motorhomes better than some alternatives.
As a result, the council recommends Charlotte Street for taller vehicles. However, you should still check the parking rules when you arrive.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Street uses a separate evening tariff. The base charge from 6pm to 8pm is £1.50.
After 8pm, an overnight charge can apply. Consequently, an evening stay may include more than one charging period.
Avon Street Car Park
Avon Street is at Bath BA1 1UF. According to the council information, the car park has 299 spaces, including 11 disabled spaces.
In addition, the car park opens 24 hours a day. There is no maximum stay. Therefore, drivers can use it for both day trips and longer visits.
However, the 1.8-metre height restriction matters. For that reason, check your total vehicle height before you enter.
Avon Street uses a one-way entrance and exit. Specifically, the entrance is on Corn Street. Meanwhile, the exit leads onto Ambury.
Charges apply every day, including bank holidays. Furthermore, overnight charges can apply when your stay crosses the overnight charging period.
Manvers Street Car Park
Manvers Street is at 5A Manvers Street, Bath BA1 1JZ. In addition, it opens 24 hours a day.
There is no maximum stay. Therefore, it can work for both short visits and longer trips.
The lower level is partly covered. In addition, the car park has full lighting.
However, the listed height restriction is 2 metres. Consequently, drivers of taller vehicles should check their height before arrival.
Charges apply seven days a week. This includes bank holidays. Moreover, overnight charges can also apply.
Short-Stay Parking in Bath
A long-stay car park is not always necessary. For example, you may only need two or three hours for shopping or lunch.
Fortunately, Bath has several council short-stay car parks. However, maximum stays can vary. Therefore, always check the sign before paying.
Free Parking in Bath City Centre
Free daytime parking in central Bath is limited. However, there are genuine free periods and useful concessions.
Normally, council on-street parking charges from 8am to 7pm each day. Therefore, standard on-street charging ends after 7pm.
In addition, the council states that standard on-street parking is free on bank holidays. Even so, another restriction may still apply to a particular bay.
Free-Parking Radar
7PM Standard on-street bays Normal council charging ends at 7pm. However, always read the sign beside your bay.
HOLIDAY Council on-street parking Standard on-street parking is free on bank holidays. Nevertheless, other restrictions can still apply.
BADGE Eligible on-street spaces Blue Badge concessions apply in qualifying locations. Therefore, check the local conditions before leaving the vehicle.
A bay can have permit rules, loading controls or another restriction. Therefore, always read the sign beside your space.
On-Street Parking in Central Bath
Bath has more than 1,000 on-street spaces across over 50 streets. As a result, on-street parking can be useful for a short visit.
Generally, standard charging runs from 8am until 7pm every day. Outside these hours, standard council on-street parking is free.
In addition, bank holidays have free standard on-street parking. Nevertheless, individual signs remain important.
For example, some bays have maximum stays. Others may have special restrictions. Therefore, check the exact space before you walk away.
Which Bath Parking Option Fits Your Trip?
Your ideal option depends on the length of your visit. In addition, your route into Bath can make one car park easier than another.
For example, a station trip may make Manvers Street convenient. Meanwhile, Charlotte Street can be more useful for a taller vehicle.
| Parking | Type | Best for | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Street | Long stay | Full day and tall vehicles | No height restriction |
| Avon Street | Long stay | Full-day or multi-day trips | 1.8m height limit |
| Manvers Street | Long stay | Station and southern centre | 2m height limit |
| Short-stay car parks | Short stay | Shopping and appointments | Check maximum stay |
| On-street bays | Variable | Short visits near your destination | Check each bay sign |
| Park & Ride | Edge of city | Avoiding central traffic | Continue by bus |
Bath Park & Ride
Park & Ride can make a busy Bath visit much easier. Instead of searching for a central space, park outside the centre and continue by bus.
Specifically, Bath has three main sites. These are Newbridge, Odd Down and Lansdown.
Therefore, your direction of travel can help you choose the most convenient location.
Newbridge
Consider Newbridge when you approach Bath from the west. As a result, you may reduce the need to cross the city centre.
Odd Down
Odd Down is useful for drivers arriving from the south. From there, continue into Bath by bus.
Lansdown
Lansdown can suit journeys from the north. Consequently, you may avoid unnecessary central driving.
Parking without using the Park & Ride bus
Separate parking-only charges can apply if you park at a site without using the bus. Therefore, do not confuse those charges with the cost of a normal Park & Ride journey.
In addition, tariffs can change over time. For that reason, check the current Park & Ride information before a longer stay.
Bath Clean Air Zone and Parking
Bath’s Clean Air Zone is separate from its parking tariff. Therefore, it is important to understand the difference.
Ordinary private cars and motorcycles do not pay the Bath Clean Air Zone charge. However, some higher-emission commercial vehicles can pay.
For example, the rules can affect some vans, taxis, minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs.
Meanwhile, a private car may still face an emission-based parking uplift. Therefore, Clean Air Zone compliance does not always mean that you will pay the lowest parking tariff.
In that case, check your vehicle through the official Clean Air Zone service before travelling. Vehicle classification can affect the result.
Blue Badge Parking in Bath
Bath council car parks provide disabled spaces. However, a Blue Badge does not automatically make every council car park free.
For example, Avon Street and Manvers Street state that charges also apply to Blue Badge holders unless signs say otherwise.
On-street concessions are different. Therefore, check the council’s current Blue Badge rules before your visit.
Most importantly, display the badge correctly when the rules require it. In addition, check any local time limit before leaving the vehicle.
Parking a Tall Vehicle in Bath
Vehicle height matters in several central car parks. Therefore, check your total height before travelling.
For example, Avon Street has a 1.8-metre height restriction. Meanwhile, Manvers Street lists a 2-metre limit.
In contrast, Charlotte Street has no height restriction. As a result, it can be more practical for vans, campervans, motorhomes and other tall vehicles.
In addition, roof boxes can change your total vehicle height. Therefore, measure the complete vehicle rather than relying only on the manufacturer’s basic height figure.
Evening Parking in Bath
Evening parking can be cheaper than daytime parking. However, on-street bays and off-street car parks follow different rules.
For example, standard council on-street charging ends at 7pm. Therefore, a legal on-street bay may offer free parking after that time.
Council car parks are different. For instance, an overnight charge can apply after 8pm.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Street also has an evening charging period from 6pm to 8pm. Consequently, check the total cost if your stay crosses 8pm.
Is Parking Free in Bath on Bank Holidays?
The answer depends on where you park. For example, standard council on-street parking is free on bank holidays.
However, that rule does not make every Bath car park free. Instead, council car parks can still charge.
Avon Street and Manvers Street, for example, charge seven days a week. Therefore, their charging rules can also apply on bank holidays.
As a result, separate on-street parking from car-park parking when planning a bank holiday trip.
How to Pay for Bath Parking
MiPermit is available for council parking. In addition, selected machines accept debit cards, credit cards or coins.
First, enter your registration carefully. The system uses that registration to calculate an emission-based price.
Next, check the amount shown. Finally, confirm the correct length of stay before making payment.
Therefore, take a few seconds to check the details before you walk away. This simple step can prevent avoidable payment mistakes.
Choose Parking by the Type of Visit
The cheapest option is not always the easiest option. Instead, think about your stay length and final destination.
In addition, consider the time of day. For example, an evening visit may open up free on-street options after normal charging hours.
Bath Parking Checklist
Finally, a few checks can prevent most parking problems. Therefore, prepare before you enter the busiest part of Bath.
In particular, check your chosen location, vehicle height and payment method. Then, confirm the final tariff when you arrive.
Before you drive
When you arrive
Bath City Centre Parking Map
Use the map below to understand the layout of central Bath. However, navigate to your chosen car park before you start driving.
As a result, you can reduce unnecessary city-centre driving. In addition, planning ahead makes the final part of your journey simpler.
Check Official Parking Information Before You Travel
Parking prices and restrictions can change. Therefore, use this guide to plan your trip and then check time-sensitive details before travelling.
In particular, council pages are useful for tariffs, access rules and facilities. In addition, on-site signs should always take priority if they show updated restrictions.