Keswick car parks – when and where can I park?
Keswick is the most popular tourist destination in the northern Lake District so, as you might expect, parking is at a premium, particularly in the town centre during the busier months – which is most of them these days.
Having said that, there are a number of car parks in the centre and on the outskirts, but they do fill up quickly so arrive as early as you can to avoid having to drive round for ages trying to find a spot.
Finding a parking space in Keswick
If you’re lucky enough to be staying in Windermere or Bowness, chances are there is parking at your holiday cottage. But if you’re travelling from elsewhere in the Lakes or beyond, here’s what you need to know to stop you driving round in circles looking for that elusive parking space.
Oh, and our best tip? Arrive early, especially in the busier moths if you want to get a space.
Official car parks
On-street parking
What are your official car park options?
If you’re staying in Keswick with Lakeland Retreats, you might be lucky enough to have parking at your accommodation. Alternatively, you may be given a permit for on-street parking or for one of the council-owned pay-and-display car parks.
Lakeside Car Park
Council-run Lakeside Car Park (next to the Theatre by the Lake) you’ll find
- 253 general spaces
- 6 disabled spaces
- Public toilets.
- It’s open every day
- Charges start from £3.70 for two hours.
- If you want to park overnight (from 7pm to 7am), it will only cost you £1.10
- You are not allowed to stay in your motor home overnight.
- Motorcycles can park for free.
Otley Road Car Park
Council-owned Otley Road Car Park:
- 87 general spaces
- Motorcycles can park free
- Charges starting from £3,70 for two hours
- Open every day
- Overnight parking (not motorhomes) costs £1.10 (7pm-7am), but make sure you don’t overstay your welcome as the wardens get up early.
Otley Road
Keswick
CA12 5LE
Central Car Park
Located right in the centre of Keswick, the Central Car Park is the largest of the council-run car parks.
- 334 general spaces
- 5 disabled parking spaces
- Charges begin at £3.70 for two hours (free for mototcycles)
- You can park overnight (7am-7pm) for £1.10.
- You can park your motorhome there overnight, but you’re not allowed to sleep in it.
- EV charging available.
Bell Close Car Park
Handy if you’re only staying in Keswick for a couple of hours, the Bell Close Car Park is a council-run short-stay car park.
- 121 general spaces
- 8 disabled spaces
- Three-hour maximum stay.
- Free to park a motorcycle.
- Charges start at £1.90 for one hour up to £6.30 for three hours.
- You can park your car overnight (7pm-7am) for £1.10, but don’t be tempted to sleep in your campervan or motorhome as you may well get a knock on the door.
Rawnsley Centre Car Park
- Park for as a little as £1 for an hour or £10 for all day.
- 150 general spaces
- 4 disabled spaces
- Open every day until midnight
- Overnight parking is strictly forbidden and campervans are not allowed.
- EV charging available.
Main Street
Keswick
CA12 5NP
Crosthwaite Road Car Park
Run by the Fitz Park Trust, Crosthwaite Road Car park is the cheapest pay and display in Keswick and it’s only a ten-minute walk into the centre of town along the river.
- 80 spaces
- £4 all day for cars
- £8 all day for campervans.
- No overnight parking.
5 Crosthwaite Road
Keswick
CA12 5PP
Keswick Football Club
Right next door to Crosthwaite Road Car Park is a small car park run by Keswick Football Club. All the money raised goes towards running the club. Back of the net.
- 80 spaces
- £3 to park all day (put your money in the honesty box)
- No overnight parking.
5 Crosthwaite Road
Keswick
CA12 5PP
KRFC (Keswick Rugby Club) Car Park
Owned and run by Keswick Rugby Club, the money goes towards running the club.
- Around 200 spaces
- You can park overnight (not campervans or motorhomes).
- £5 to park all day
Crow Park
CA12 5EG
Derwent Pencil Factory Car Park
There’s a pay and display car park next to the Pencil Museum.
- 77 general spaces
- 2 disabled spaces
- Charges start from £1 for an hour up to £10 for all day.
- If you want to park overnight (you can’t sleep in your campervan), it costs £18.
Carding Mill Lane
CA12 5NH
Booths Supermarket
Technically, you need to be a customer to park at the Booths supermarket car park (the first hour is free)
- Free to park there from 7pm each night to midnight – ideal if you’re heading into Keswick for a night out.
- EV charging available.
Keswick
CA12 5NZ
On-street parking in Keswick
There is limited free on-street parking in Keswick – you can try your luck on the streets off Penrith Road and Ambleside Road – but be mindful of the residents who live there.
Alternatively, there is some time-limited, disc-controlled on-street parking dotted around the town, including on Station Road near the museum.
There is also some free on-street parking on the streets above the cinema, some of which is disc-controlled until 6pm.
Where can I get a parking disk?
You can get a disc from local shops, but make sure you display your disc clearly with your arrival time and don’t exceed the time limit – that could be an expensive mistake.
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Discover more of Keswick
Keswick is a small town in England that is known for its picturesque scenery and its many outdoor activities. The town is situated in the Lake District, which is a popular destination for hiking, climbing, and other outdoor pursuits.
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