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Lake District Kind

Car parks in the Lake District

Plan your visit

Many of the main car parks in popular locations are listed below. Card payments are not possible at some car parks (due to there being no internet connectivity), so be prepared to pay with coins. Car parks are provided by a range of bodies, including councils, government authorities, schools, private operators and charities: this means that there is a variety of car parking charges and payment systems, which is explained in car park on-site signage by each operator.

  • Around Windermere and Ambleside

    The town centres of Bowness and Ambleside tend to be busy from mid-morning until mid-afternoon.

    • Ambleside

      See car parks within Ambleside

    • Waterhead, Ambleside

      £ Pay and Display

      Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37320)

      Coach parking

      EV Chargers

      🚾 Toilets, including disabled

      Location: ///possible.snooping.region

    • Troutbeck

      There are a few small public parking areas and lay-bys in and around Troutbeck. Please park safely and considerately.

    • Brockhole on Windermere

      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)

      🚾 Toilets

      Coach parking by arrangement in advance only

      Electric vehicle charging

      One of The Lake District's most visited sites

      Children's adventure playground, beautiful gardens, lakeshore, magnificent views

      The Gaddum Restaurant fine dining
      Café and take away food
      Shop showcasing artisan and local products
      Information centre
      Exhibitions of local culture, landscape and natural history

      Activities including boat hire, archery, laser clay shooting: pre-book online at
      www.brockhole.co.uk

      Location: ///bleak.dries.cooked

    • Bowness town centre

      See car parks within Bowness town centre

    • Windermere Town

      Windermere town parking. If Broad Street is busy try Windermere School which opens for public parking during the school holidays.

      See car parks within Windermere Town

    • Rayrigg Meadow, Windermere

      £ Pay and Display
      Toilets

      Access to lakeshore

      Location: ///gratuity.jobs.spindles

    • Hammarbank, Windermere viewpoint 600 metres NW of town

      £ Pay and Display

      Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37303)

      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

    • Beech Hill, Windermere east lakeshore

      £ Pay and Display
      🚾 Toilets (seasonal), including disabled

      Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37303)

      EV Chargers

      Picnic area, lake viewpoint, access to lakeshore. A great parking location for woodland and hill walks to the east.

      Location: ///ultra.bloom.warms

    • Gummers How

      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

    • Fell Foot, Windemere

      £ Pay and Display
      🚾 Toilets

      Cafe

      Location: ///butchers.televise.vocal

    • Lakeside for Windermere Lake Cruises

      300 spaces available 7 days a week
      £ Pay and display
      🚾 Toilets

      Park here for Windermere Lake Cruises Lakeside pier.

      Location: ///headed.reflected.newly

    • High Dam, near Finsthwaite

      £ Pay and Display

      Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37301)

      Farmer and Emergency Access Required 24/7 - don't obstruct lane

      Location: ///broadens.unstable.says

    • Stott Park Bobbin Mill

      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

      See car parks within West side Wray area

      • Red Nab, Windermere western lakeshore

        Lakeshore parking
        Access is along a dead-end single track road that has few passing places

        Location: ///populate.dice.questions

      • Wray Castle, Windermere north western lakeshore

        £ Pay and Display - Coins only, or using the "Pay to Park" app
        🚾 Toilets

        Location: ///snacking.dizziness.buzzards

    • Brathay lay-by, Clappersgate near Ambleside

      Location: ///solutions.note.trifle

    • Ferry area east side

      See car parks within Ferry area east side

      • Ferry Nab, Windermere lakeshore

        £ 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

      • Braithwaite Fold, between Bowness and Ferry Nab

        £ 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

      See car parks within Ferry area West side

      • Ash Landing, Windermere western lakeshore

        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

      • Harrowslack, Windermere western lakeshore

        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

      • Lay-bys, Harrowslack, Windermere western lakeshore, north of ferry landing

        Location: ///lend.piglets.stuck

    ^ Top of page

  • Around Keswick, Borrowdale, Buttermere, Bassenthwaite and Whinlatter

      • Updated: 4 May 2023 6:48pm

    • Keswick

      See car parks within Keswick

      • Town centre car parks, 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

      • Lakeside, and Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

        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

      • Crosthwaite Road, Keswick

        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

      • Keswick Rugby Club

        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

      • Keswick Old Station and K2T Trail

        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

      See car parks within Bassenthwaite Lake, West side

    • Ouse Bridge (Banks Point) Bassenthwaite Lake northern end

      You can buy fishing and boating permits for Bassenthwaite Lake online

      Location: ///available.altering.outdoors

    • Dodd Wood, Bassenthwaite (south east)

      £ Pay in car park
      🚾 Toilets
      🍴 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.

      See car parks within Derwentwater East side

      • Great Wood

        £ Pay and display - Coins only
        Pay By Phone available

        Location: ///tastings.tapers.gearing

      • Kettlewell

        £ Pay and Display - Coins only
        Pay By Phone available

        NB Height restriction

        Location: ///towel.carbon.fatigued

      • Lakeshore Barrow Bay

        £ cash
        Farmer's field beside lake. Opening is irregular, and only for a few busy days in the summer
        🚾 Toilets

        Location: ///search.brass.shatters

    • Ashness Bridge and Surprise View

      £ 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

      See car parks within Borrowdale

    • Honister Pass

      £ Pay and Display - Coins only

      Location: ///digress.lads.purses

    • Buttermere village

      See car parks within Buttermere village

      • Buttermere LDNP in 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

      • Buttermere NT in village

        £ 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

    • Lanthwaite Wood, Crummock Water north end

      £ Pay and Display - Coins only

      Location: ///vivid.mealtime.broad

    • Watendlath

      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

      See car parks within Threlkeld

    • Whinlatter Pass East and Braithwaite Village

      See car parks within Whinlatter Pass East and Braithwaite Village

    • Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre

      See car parks within Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre

      • Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre

        🚾 Toilets
        £ Pay in the car park 
        🍴 Cafe 
        Cyclewise Bike Shop

        Location: ///denote.motion.proposals

      • Revelin Moss, Whinlatter Pass

        £ 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

      See car parks within Whinlatter Pass West

    • Cat Bells and Derwentwater West

      See car parks within Cat Bells and Derwentwater West

    • Northern Fells, including Caldbeck, Hesket Newmarket, Mungrisdale

      See car parks within Northern Fells, including Caldbeck, Hesket Newmarket, Mungrisdale

    ^ Top of page

  • Around Grasmere and Rydal

      • Updated: 15 April 2022 11:39am

    • Grasmere village

      See car parks within Grasmere village

      • Stock Lane, Grasmere village

        £ Pay and Display
        Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37319)

        Coach parking

        EV charging

        🚾 Toilets.  Disabled toilets in village centre (300 metres)

        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

      • Broadgate Meadow, Grasmere village

        £ Pay and Display
        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

      • Red Bank Road, Grasmere village

        £ Pay and Display

        Location: ///recently.cubes.heightens

      • Thirteen Valleys car park

    • White Moss Common, Rydal

      See car parks within White Moss Common, Rydal

      • White Moss Upper, 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

      • White Moss Lower, Rydal

        £ Pay in car park.
        🚾 Toilets

        Location: ///trips.limiting.handover

    • Dunmail Raise, pass between Grasmere and Thirlmere

      Roadside parking in lay-by

      Location: ///acclaimed.teaspoons.rare

    • Pelter Bridge, Rydal

      £ Pay and Display
      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

    ^ Top of page

  • Around Coniston, Hawkshead and Grizedale

      • Updated: 4 May 2023 6:32pm

    • Coniston Water East side

      See car parks within Coniston Water East side

    • Coniston Village

      See car parks within Coniston Village

      • Ruskin Avenue, Coniston village

        £ Pay and Display
        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

      • Old Station, Coniston village

        £ Pay and Display
        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

      • Coniston Boating Centre, lakeshore at Coniston village

        Closed

        £ Pay and Display
        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

    • Brown Howe, Coniston Water south west lakeshore

      £ Pay and Display
      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

      See car parks within Grizedale Forest

    • High Cross, hill top between Hawkshead and Coniston

      Location: ///station.sweetener.zooms

    • Hawkshead

      £ Pay and Display
      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

    • Tarn Hows, between Coniston and Hawkshead

      £ 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.

      See car parks within Holme Fell, Hodge Close and Tilberthwaite

    • Glen Mary Bridge

      £ 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

    ^ Top of page

  • Around Ullswater, Glenridding and Haweswater

      • Updated: 17 June 2024 3:56pm

    • Pooley Bridge

      See car parks within Pooley Bridge

    • Glencoyne

      £ Pay and Display - Coins only
      Or use Pay to Park app

      Location: ///slang.kingpin.exclusive

    • Laybys Ullswater west lakeshore

    • Cowbridge, Brothers Water north end

      Location: ///pelt.kennels.racing

    • Patterdale

      See car parks within Patterdale

      • Patterdale King George V Playing Field

        £ - 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

      • Patterdale Hotel

        £ Pay & display - coins only

        Location: ///stop.vans.duty

    • Kirkstone Pass

      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).

      See car parks within Aira Force and Gowbarrow

    • 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.

      See car parks within Howtown and Martindale

    • Glenridding

      See car parks within Glenridding

    • Haweswater and Lowther Valley

      On busy days the parking area at Mardale Head fills-up: please don't obstruct the road by parking inappropriately.

      See car parks within Haweswater and Lowther Valley

    ^ Top of page

  • Around Wasdale, Eskdale and Ennerdale

      • Updated: 4 May 2023 6:50pm

    • Wasdale

      See car parks within Wasdale

    • Ennerdale Water

      See car parks within Ennerdale Water

      • Bowness Knott

        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

      • Bleach Green

        If this car park is full, please try Bowness Knott car park.

        Location: ///fishnet.tweezers.costs

    • Silecroft

      🚾 Toilets

    • Ravenglass

      £ Pay and Display
      Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37304)

      Coach parking

      EV Chargers

      🚾 Toilets

      Location: ///diverts.pictures.eyeliner

    • Duddon Furnace, 150 metres NW of Duddon Bridge

      Location: ///recording.crows.allergy

    • Muncaster Castle

      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

      See car parks within Eskdale

    ^ Top of page

  • Around Langdale

      • Updated: 15 April 2022 11:40am

    • Langdale head of valley

      See car parks within Langdale head of valley

      • New Dungeon Ghyll

        £ Pay and Display
        Cashless payment using RingGo available at http://ringgo.co.uk/ (RingGo car park ID 37308)

        Location: ///unafraid.tailwind.honestly

      • Stickle Ghyll

        £ Pay and Display

        🚾 Toilets

        The National Trust's arrangements permitting overnight occupancy of campervans are currently suspended.

        Hence, overnight occupancy of vehicles is currently prohibited at this location.

        Location: ///verb.many.moved

      • Old Dungeon Ghyll

        £ Pay and Display

        Please respect the footpath diversion: When leaving (or returning to) the car park to access Mickleden, Raven Crag or Dungeon Ghyll, please use the permissive path between the hotel and Middle Fell Farm. Avoid the rear of the hotel. Please follow the signs / maps on site.

        Location: ///testy.flagged.hurry

    • Blea Tarn, Little Langdale

      £ Pay and Display - coins only

      Location: ///otherwise.mole.lions

    • Elterwater and Skelwith area

      See car parks within Elterwater and Skelwith area

      • Silverthwaite between Elterwater and Skelwith Bridge

        £ Pay in car park

        Location: ///evening.valued.cracker

      • Elterwater Village

        £ 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

    ^ Top of page

  • Around Thirlmere

      • Updated: 21 August 2023 11:53am

    • Thirlmere West side

      Road and paths CLOSED
      Thirlmere west side: Due to storm damage, Cumberland Council have closed the minor public road, to vehicles, between Steel End and Armboth car parks. Furthermore, the landowner's lakeshore permissive path is closed to bicycles and pedestrians at Rough Crag: this means that a low-level full circuit of Thirlmere is not currently possible (neither on foot / bicycle nor car/motorbike). Correct May 2023 until further notice.

      See car parks within Thirlmere West side

    • Thirlmere East side

      See car parks within Thirlmere East side

    • Legburthwaite, Thirlmere, 600 metres north east of lake

      £ Pay and Display
      🚾 Toilets

      Location: ///nobody.desiring.twinge

    ^ Top of page

  • Around Kendal

      • Updated: 15 April 2022 11:40am

    • Foulshaw, near Levens

      Location: ///oppose.prevents.curly

    • Scout and Cunswick Scars

      See car parks within Scout and Cunswick Scars

      • Scout Scar, near Kendal

        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

      • Cunswick Scar, near Kendal

        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

    ^ Top of page

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