Map of Lake District National Park car parks
Car Park
List of all car parks
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Car parks around Windermere and Ambleside
The town centres of Bowness and Ambleside tend to be busy from mid-morning until mid-afternoon.
Ambleside
£ Pay and Display
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37320)
Coins and cards
Coach parking
EV Chargers
Toilets, including disabled
Location: ///possible.snooping.region
There are a few small public parking areas and lay-bys in and around Troutbeck. Please park safely and considerately.
Enjoy a day on the shore of Windermere with outdoor activities, outdoor dining, and boat hire.
Between Windermere and Ambleside on the A591
£ Pay and Display
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk (RingGo car park ID 37312)
Coins and cards
Toilets
Coach parking by arrangement in advance only
Electric vehicle charging
Brockhole: One of The Lake District’s most visited sites
Children’s adventure playground, beautiful gardens, lakeshore, magnificent views
Activities including boat hire and archery; pre-book online at www.brockhole.co.uk
Location: ///bleak.dries.cooked
Town centre parking
£ Pay and Display
Location: ///gentlemen.declares.indeed
Town centre parking
£ Pay and Display
Location: ///chicken.steady.bombard
500 metres south of the town centre
£ Pay and Display
EV Charging (CCS and Type 2 – tethered cables – charges apply)
Location: ///romantics.warrior.incorrect
300 metres SW of town centre
£ Pay and Display
Location: ///nicer.cobbles.cello
Town centre parking
£ Pay and Display
Toilets
Location: ///breezy.inert.tooth
Generally open to the public during University holidays only
£ Pay and Display
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk (RingGo car park ID 2973)
Location: ///statement.vague.mock
Bowness town centre
£ Pay and Display
Toilets
Location: ///thrashing.marine.person
£ Pay and Display
Toilets
Sometimes referred to as Quarry Rigg Car Park
Location: ///suddenly.informed.defensive
£ Pay and Display
Toilets
Location: ///shorthand.push.vague
£ Pay and Display
Toilets
Location: ///rebounder.supply.riding
Windermere Town
Windermere town parking. If Broad Street is busy try Windermere School which opens for public parking during the school holidays.
£ Pay and Display
Toilets
Location: ///indulgent.stiff.contracts
£ Pay and Display
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37303)
Coins and cards
Long stay and weekly parking available
Ideally located for short walks to:
Queen Adelaid’s Hill viewpoint, Millerground lakeshore & woodlands
Orrest Head viewpoint above Windermere town
Location: ///airstrip.skews.lyrics
£ Pay and Display
Toilets (seasonal), including disabled
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37303)
Coins and cards
Picnic area, lake viewpoint, access to lakeshore. A great parking location for woodland and hill walks to the east.
Location: ///ultra.bloom.warms
At 160 metres above Windermere, this is the closest parking for an ascent of Gummer’s How (viewpoint at the SE tip of the lake).
Location: ///crystal.barefoot.arranges
300 spaces available 7 days a week
£ Pay and display
Toilets
Park here for Windermere Lake Cruises Lakeside pier.
Location: ///headed.reflected.newly
£ Pay and Display
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37301)
Coins and cards
Farmer and Emergency Access Required 24/7 – don’t obstruct lane
Location: ///broadens.unstable.says
NB there are two car parks, which are only open during Bobbin Mill Museum opening times. The more westerly one may be used by the general public.
£ Pay and Display
Toilets open during museum opening times only
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stott-park-bobbin-mill/
Location: ///firm.overused.cost
West side Wray area
Lakeshore parking
Access is along a dead-end single track road that has few passing places
Location: ///populate.dice.questions
£ Pay and Display – Coins only, or using the “Pay to Park” app
Toilets
Location: ///snacking.dizziness.buzzards
Location: ///solutions.note.trifle
Ferry area east side
£ Pay and Display
This car park also serves the Ferry Nab boat launching facility
On busy days, the car park may be closed to allow for boat launches to take place.
Location: ///tasteful.belief.deeply
£ Pay and Display
This car park is 800 metres south of Bowness town centre, and 500 metres from the Windermere Ferry
Location: ///oatmeal.punctuate.months
Ferry area west side
Lakeshore parking close to the ferry landing on the western shore
£ Pay and Display – Coins only
Or you can pay using the Pay to Park app
Location: ///nozzles.bitter.biked
Lakeshore parking close to the ferry landing on the western shore
£ Pay and Display – Coins only
Or you can pay using the Pay to Park app
Location: ///bother.mermaids.nearly
Location: ///lend.piglets.stuck
Car parks around Keswick, Borrowdale, Buttermere, Bassenthwaite and Whinlatter
Updated: 19 February 2025 11:51am
Keswick
£ Pay and Display
These are within 200 metres of Keswick town centre:
Bell Close
Otley Road
Central (on Heads Road)
Rawnsley Centre (Main Street)
Pencil Museum (Carding Mill Lane)
Public toilets in Bell Close car park. Includes accessible toilet
Five hundred metres south of Keswick town centre. Adjacent to The Theatre By The Lake and boat landing stages.
£ Pay and Display
Toilets
Location: ///alienated.ranked.they
Only 600 metres walk from the town centre (via Fitz Park and surfaced riverbank path)
Adjacent car parks operated by:
Fitz Park Trust (£ Pay and Display)
Keswick Football Club (£ donation)
Location: ///user.overlaid.departure
250 spaces
£4 all day Pay and display
#parkNsail is a great way to access fells, attractions and villages around Derwentwater to the south of Keswick, including Cat Bells. Leave your vehicle in Keswick at the Rugby Club Car Park for only £4, and get 15% off tickets for Keswick Launch and sail to your destination across Derwentwater.
Location: ///gilding.rarely.hairspray
Access to the Keswick / Threlkeld Old Railway Line Trail
£ Pay and Display
NB there are two car parks with different operators – one is Cumberland Council’s, the other is owned by The Keswick Country House Hotel: use the correct ticket machine for the area you’re parking in.
Location: ///eats.shining.marsh
Bassenthwaite Lake, West side
Location: ///unfocused.pastime.sharpens
Location: ///sober.juicy.relief
£ Pay in car park
Café – The Old Sawmill Tearoom
Location: ///feathers.outwit.detergent
Derwentwater East side
On busy days, most parking areas between Great Wood and Kettlewell fill up quickly. Please do not park obstructively on the roadside.
£ Pay and display – Coins only
Pay By Phone available
Location: ///tastings.tapers.gearing
£ Pay and Display – Coins only
Pay By Phone available
NB Height restriction
Location: ///towel.carbon.fatigued
£ cash
Farmer’s field beside lake. Opening is irregular, and only for a few busy days in the summer
Toilets
Location: ///search.brass.shatters
£ Pay and display – Coins only
If Ashness Bridge car park is full, try the Surprise View car park 500 metres further up the road
Location: ///revisits.scary.objective
Borrowdale
£ Pay and display – Coins only
Location: ///prawn.care.stirs
£ Pay and Display – Coins only
Toilets
Location: ///slogged.informer.chilled
£ Pay and Display – Coins only
Toilets
Location: ///cushy.soulful.nests
£ Pay and Display – Coins only
Location: ///digress.lads.purses
Buttermere village
£ Pay and Display – coins and cards.
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37311)
Toilets, including disabled
Buttermere becomes congested at peak times. Please only park in the designated car parks. Please don’t cause highway obstructions by parking badly on roadsides and verges in the valley.
Location: ///attend.bikers.swims
£ Pay and Display – Coins only
Fishing and boating permits can be bought from this car park machine
Buttermere becomes congested at peak times. Please only park in the designated car parks. Please don’t cause highway obstructions by parking badly on roadsides and verges in the valley.
Location: ///wolves.towers.blurts
£ Pay and Display – Coins only
Location: ///vivid.mealtime.broad
Watendlath is three miles from Derwentwater along a steep and winding single track road.
£ Pay and display – Coins only
Toilets (not open all year round)
Location: ///fitter.custard.brilliant
Threlkeld
£ Pay and display
Location: ///chugging.crunchy.juggles
Access to the Keswick / Threlkeld Old Railway Line Trail
£ Pay by RingGo only http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37324)
Overnight occupation of vehicles is not permitted.
Location: ///landmark.dolls.avoiding
Whinlatter Pass East and Braithwaite Village
Location: ///alcove.socialite.toffee
£3 donation (cash)
Open Saturdays, Sundays and School Holidays only
No overnight parking / sleeping in vehicles
Location: ///allergy.pats.fish
Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre
Toilets
£ Pay in the car park
Cafe
Cyclewise Bike Shop
Location: ///denote.motion.proposals
£ Pay in the car park
This car park is 300 metres from the main Whinlatter Visitor Centre facilities
Location: ///danger.lines.community
Whinlatter Pass West
Location: ///examples.crowds.promoting
Location: ///risk.careful.recruiter
Cat Bells and Derwentwater West
Location: ///saturate.costs.choirs
Open for a very limited number of days on an ad hoc basis in peak season only
£
Location: ///verb.sunflower.thirsty
Northern Fells, including Caldbeck, Hesket Newmarket, Mungrisdale
Location: ///dating.firework.decisions
Location: ///give.foremost.octagonal
Car parks around Grasmere and Rydal
Updated: 19 February 2025 11:50am
Grasmere village
£ Pay and Display
Coin and cards
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37338)
In Grasmere village:
///drape.neckline.clogging
£ Pay and Display
Coins and cards
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37319)
Coach parking
EV charging
Toilets including disabled toilets
This is the first car park on entry to the village from the south. If it’s full, try the Broadgate Meadows car park – two minutes’ away.
Location: ///spite.zaps.camera
£ Pay and Display
Coin and cards
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37313)
When Grasmere village is very busy, this car park is the one that’s most likely to have space.
Location: ///sprouting.inventors.shielding
£ Pay and Display
Location: ///recently.cubes.heightens
White Moss Common, Rydal
£ Pay in car park.
Toilets are beside the lower car park, on the other side of the main road (100 metres)
Location: ///grandest.plans.worker
£ Pay in car park.
Toilets
Location: ///trips.limiting.handover
Roadside parking in lay-by
Location: ///acclaimed.teaspoons.rare
£ Pay and Display
Coins and cards
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37305)
This small car park is often very busy. Alternative public parking nearby:
(i) White Moss Common (1.5Km north west along A491)
(ii) Grasmere village (3Km north west along the A591)
(iii) Ambleside Cricket Club car park is sometimes open to the public (700 metres south on the A591 towards Ambleside).
Location: ///optimists.comfort.blushes
Car parks around Coniston, Hawkshead and Grizedale
Updated: 23 July 2025 1:48pm
Coniston Water East side
£ Pay and Display
Coins and cards
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37307)
Toilets (seasonal), including disabled
Location: ///angry.magical.banana
Location: ///bathtubs.builds.them
Location: ///prospers.meal.finishing
Please note: Car parking is for visitors to Brantwood House and Gardens only. Entrance fees apply. See website for details. There is no public parking or public access to Lakeshore.
Location: ///vanished.pulsing.storming
Coniston Village
£ Pay and Display
Card payments only
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37318)
Coach parking
EV chargers (PodPoint)
Toilets, including disabled
Location: ///stirs.loud.penny
£ Pay and Display
Coins and cards
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37306)
Located on Old Furness Road, a residential area 200 metres south west of the village centre
Location: ///caravan.selects.breathing
£ Pay and Display
Coins and cards
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk (RingGo car park ID 37314)
Toilets, including disabled
Coach parking
EV chargers (PodPoint)
🍴 Bluebird Cafe
Rental service for motor and rowing boats, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards
More info and to pre-book www.conistonboatingcentre.co.uk
Location: ///pushed.meanders.really
Walna Scar
Walna Scar
£ Pay and Display
Card payments only
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37321)
Location: ///requiring.tulip.spotty
Old Man of Coniston car park
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37341)
Location:///boulster.tangent.output
£ Pay and Display
Coins and cards
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37300)
Toilets (seasonal), including disabled
Location: ///encodes.dented.obtain
Grizedale Forest
£ Pay in car park
Toilets
Location: ///atlas.stored.trainers
£ Pay and display
Location: ///adapt.frame.tugging
Location: ///flopping.chairs.rents
£ Pay in car park
Location: ///impulse.craftsmen.greeting
Location: ///station.sweetener.zooms
£ Pay and Display
Coins and cards
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37317)
Coach parking
EV Chargers
Toilets, including disabled
Location: ///eyelashes.called.mimed
£ Pay and Display – Coins only
Or pay using the “Pay to Park” app
Toilets
Location: ///thickens.habit.passion
Holme Fell, Hodge Close and Tilberthwaite
The road to the small car park at Hodge Close is single track, with few passing places. Avoid congestion by parking at Shepherds Bridge rather than Hodge Close.
No overnight parking
Location: ///fells.national.flopping
£ Pay online using RingGo – RingGo car park ID is 37331
Location: ///taxed.goofy.styled
Location: ///icebergs.shock.blast
£ Pay and Display – Coins only
Or pay using the “Pay to Park” app
On A593 2 miles north of Coniston. Handy for Tarn Hows, which is 600metres to the east up a path. Also close to Holme Fell.
Location: ///croutons.doted.trim
£ Pay and Display
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37339)
Location: ///promote.selects.gratitude
Car parks around Ullswater, Glenridding and Haweswater
Updated: 19 February 2025 11:51am
Pooley Bridge
£ Pay and Display
Coins and cards
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37310)
Location: ///sleepless.workbench.file
£ Pay and Display
Coins and cards
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37309)
Location: //////dynamics.ballots.whistling
£ Pay and Display – Coins only
Or use Pay to Park app
Location: ///slang.kingpin.exclusive
£ Pay and Display
Coins and cards
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37323)
Location: ///pelt.kennels.racing
Patterdale
£ – cash only
Open most days, but might be closed to the public on cricket match or other sports and local community days.
Location: ///lunching.reports.sailors
£ Pay & display – coins only
Location: ///stop.vans.duty
A large car park opposite the legendary Kirkstone Pass Inn
Location: ///trains.garden.turntable
Aira Force and Gowbarrow
Aira Force waterfalls, on land owned by the National Trust. The Falls are within a kilometre’s walk of all three listed car parks, which all fill-up at peak times on busy days. If Aira Force car park below the Falls is full, try Park Brow or High Cascades (both a short drive up the hill).
£ Pay and Display – Coins only
Location: ///quicker.crypt.home
£ Pay & Display – Coins only
Toilets open 10am – 3pm, accessible toilet 24hrs
Cafe
Location: ///under.ripen.hotel
Howtown and Martindale
The road from Pooley Bridge southwards to Howtown and beyond is a dead-end, and narrow in places. It includes a legally defined clearway, meaning that it is an offence to stop and park on that stretch of the road. In the Howtown area there is only limited public parking at The Hause, and at several small laybys.
There are no alternative routes into or out of this area for emergency and large service vehicles, so it is imperative that vehicles are not left in such a way that they obstruct the highway.
Location: ///decking.wheels.closet
Glenridding
£ Pay and Display
Coins and cards
Cashless payment using Ring Go available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37316)
Coach parking
EV chargers
Toilets, including disabled
Tourist Information Centre
Location: ///octopus.lollipop.glades
Haweswater and Lowther Valley
On busy days the parking area at Mardale Head fills-up: please don’t obstruct the road by parking inappropriately.
Location: ///hockey.belly.bonkers
Location: ///never.unite.landlady
Car parks around Wasdale, Eskdale and Ennerdale
Updated: 19 February 2025 11:50am
Wasdale
£ Pay & Display – Coins only
Toilets
Location: ///diplomas.estuaries.stapled
Location: ///tags.hence.overheat
Ennerdale Water
The final 4Km of road to Bowness Knott car park is narrow and bendy, with few passing places, making vehicle travel difficult at busy times.
No unauthorised vehicles allowed in the valley beyond the car park.
Location: ///feathers.strikers.focus
If this car park is full, please try Bowness Knott car park.
Location: ///fishnet.tweezers.costs
Toilets
£ Pay and Display
Card only
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37304)
Coach parking
EV Chargers
Toilets
Location: ///diverts.pictures.eyeliner
£ Pay and Display
Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 27332)
Location: ///recording.crows.allergy
https://www.muncaster.co.uk/
The car park is outside the grounds, and is free for Muncaster Ticket Holders.
People parking but not entering the Castle and Gardens are requested to make a cash donation for each car parked.
Location: ///twitchy.sunshine.reflected
Eskdale
Car parks around Langdale
Updated: 19 February 2025 11:50am
Langdale head of valley
£ Pay and Display – coins only
Location: ///otherwise.mole.lions
Elterwater and Skelwith area
£ Pay in car park
Location: ///evening.valued.cracker
£ Pay and Display
If you don’t find space at this popular car park or in the village, try Silverthwaite car park (1.5 kilometres to the south east, towards Skelwith Bridge and Ambleside)
Location: ///hiding.lived.reverted
Car parks around Thirlmere
Updated: 19 February 2025 11:50am
Thirlmere West side
Tickets purchased in United Utilities car parks are transferable across their car parks only. This allows for a card purchase to be made in car parks accepting card payment and used in those where coin is the only payment option.
£ Pay and Display
Coins only
Toilets including disabled, seasonal
Location: ///magically.whizzed.panel
The car park is closed until Easter 2026, pedestrian access allowed for pay machine and facilities.
£ Pay and Display
Coins and cards
Toilets – seasonal
Location: ///venturing.snows.cats
£ Pay and Display – coins only
Location: ///advances.eased.buns
Thirlmere East side
£ Pay and Display
Coins and cards
Toilets including disabled – open all year round
Location: ///childcare.delay.richest
£ Pay and Display
Coins and cards.
Toilets including disabled – seasonal
Location: ///nobody.desiring.twinge
Learn more about Thirlmere
Dominated by its large reservoir and its looming fells, Thirlmere has one of the best-known Lake District archaeological sites and has an interesting cultural arts history.
Car parks around Kendal
Updated: 19 February 2025 11:50am
Location: ///oppose.prevents.curly
Scout and Cunswick Scars
A medium sized car park that is great for walks on Scout Scar and the surrounding countryside.
Please drive carefully as the surface is rough in places.
Overnight stays are not permitted.
Location: ///inch.probe.flames
A medium sized car park that is great for walks on Scout Scar and the surrounding countryside.
Please drive carefully as the surface is rough in places.
Overnight stays are not permitted.
Location: ///river.daisy.shots
Working together to keep the Lake District National Park safe for everyone.
Allerdale borough Council
Cumbria Wildlife Trust
Forestry England
Lake District National Park
Lowther Estates
National Trust
South Lakeland District Council
United Utilities
