Information about parking in Canterbury
Canterbury is straightforward to reach by car, with the London to Dover A2 passing right by the city.
Parking on-street near to the city centre can be difficult as most of the streets within the old city walls are narrow and/or completely pedestrianised. Fortunately, there are a good choice of affordable off-street car parks dotted around Canterbury.
There are 3 park and ride sites surrounding the city too, which provide an often cheaper alternative way to reach the centre.
JustPark provides information on plenty of parking options across Canterbury – including spaces on-street, off-street and those that are reservable, from driveways to car parks.
On-street parking
The majority of Canterbury city centre inside the old city walls and the Inner Ring Road prohibits parking altogether, with most roads either completely pedestrianised or narrow double yellow-lined passages. If you’re in need of very central parking, off-street parking is recommended. However, just outside the city walls, there are a number of parking spaces limited to pay-and-display. Charges typically apply from 8am-6.30pm, Monday-Saturday.
You can use the JustPark parking map to find information on available on-street parking spaces in Canterbury.
Location Operator Price Max Stay Victoria Row/Canterbury On-Street Canterbury City Council £0.21 / 10 minutes 2 hours Broad Street/Canterbury On-Street Canterbury City Council £0.21 / 10 minutes 2 hours Whitehall Road/Canterbury On-Street Canterbury City Council £0.21 / 10 minutes 2 hours St Dunstans Street/Canterbury On-Street Canterbury City Council £0.21 / 10 minutes 2 hours Station Road West/Canterbury On-Street Canterbury City Council £0.21 / 10 minutes 2 hours 
Off-street parking
There are a good number of off-street car parks in and around Canterbury, with the majority of affordable options being council-operated. One such option is St. Radigunds car park (CT1 2AA) located north of the city centre, which is a also good choice for those using Canterbury West train station. This car park charges a reasonable hourly rate from 7am-9pm each day but is then free outside of these hours.
Another alternative is Whitefriars multi-storey car park (CT1 2TF) which is very centrally located in a great spot for visitors to the main attractions within the old city walls. Although charging a slightly higher hourly rate, parking prices here are still reasonable. However, there is a high charge for stays for over 5 hours – so it doesn’t really suit as a long stay option.
There are 3 park and ride sites surrounding Canterbury: Wincheap to the southwest (CT1 3TY), New Dover Road to the southeast (CT1 3EJ) and Sturry Road to the the northeast (CT1 1AD). Park and ride is a very attractive option – with free parking on offer, and your only fare being a low-cost all-day bus ticket.
JustPark offers a choice of reservable off-street parking in Canterbury – in both council and commercially-run car parks, as well as at hotels, offices and on private driveways. You can browse these options and book a guaranteed space via our website or app.
Location Operator Price Max Stay Whitefriars Whitefriars Canterbury £1.80 / hour Queningate Canterbury City Council £1.00 / hour Watling Street Canterbury City Council £1.70 / hour Pound Lane Canterbury City Council £0.70 / 30 minutes 12 hours St Radigunds RingGo £0.25 / 10 minutes 14 hours 
Public transport
There are two main train stations in Canterbury: Canterbury West and Canterbury East. The latter primarily provides local services and trains to Dover, whereas Canterbury West has daily trains to London including part of the High Speed line to London St. Pancras.
Canterbury bus station in the north of the city is a central hub for bus services, serving the city and the surrounding area.
Disabled parking
Disabled drivers displaying their Blue Badge can park for free – and for up to 3 hours – in any off-street car park space, or on single or double yellow lines on-street if necessary.
You can filter when searching on JustPark to show all our parking spaces with disabled access in Canterbury (select this option by clicking on ‘Filters’ on the search results page).
Parking restrictions & event days
The majority of streets within Canterbury city centre are heavily restricted. The historic layout of the old city mean that many streets are narrow, yellow-lined, cobbled or pedestrianised – making driving and parking centrally quite challenging. There are pay-and-display spaces available for visiting drivers, but always make sure you comply with restrictions by reading signposts on location.
On the JustPark map, we’ll only show you spaces which you’re allowed to park in and are not restricted at the times you search.
Overnight, weekends & bank holidays
The majority of on-street parking charges do not apply on Sundays, and the same is true for Saturdays for some locations. Parking restrictions within the old city walls remain in force all year round.
Most off-street car parks within the city operate 24 hours – and in some car parks, such as at St. Radigunds car park (CT1 2AA), overnight parking from 9pm-7am is free.
Enter your dates and times on our search results page to see what’s available overnight.
Nearby attractions
Canterbury is a historic cathedral city in the ‘Garden of England’, the county of Kent. The city is perhaps most famous for being the home and religious jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury since the 6th Century. Canterbury Cathedral is evidence of this historical importance, being one of the oldest and most famous religious buildings in the UK – making the city worth visiting just to admire its magisterial presence all on its own. But that’s not all Canterbury has to offer, with a delightful and vibrant centre nestled in amongst all that history for you to enjoy.
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