Durham is a compact historic city, with a central congestion charge zone that restricts vehicle access. Parking in Durham city centre can feel confusing if you are new to the city, particularly if you are aiming for Durham Cathedral or Castle.

A word of warning: many sat nav systems direct unwary drivers into Durham Market Place, straight through the Congestion Zone. This incurs an automatic charge as soon as you pass the ANPR cameras. Do not try to drive to the cathedral. Instead, use the Durham Park and Ride services or one of the designated Durham car parks listed below.

Park and Ride in Durham

Durham has three Park and Ride Durham sites around the city, each with free parking and regular buses into the centre. You must purchase a day pass for the bus service to avoid a parking fine. Concessionary bus pass holders can travel free after 9.30am. Find more Durham County Council Park and Ride information on the County Council website.

Belmont Park and Ride (PR1)

Best for drivers arriving from the A1(M) north or south or from the direction of Sunderland.
Located on the A690, just off the A1(M).
Open daily, 7am–7pm.
Buses run every 15 minutes into the city via Milburngate Bridge (alight here for Durham city centre), Wharton Park, County Hall and the hospital to Sniperley P&R.

Walking directions into the city centre when alighting from the bus: From Milburngate Bridge, walk left after alighting, head up the slope, then turn right into the Durham Market Place.

Return directions: Catch PR1 at the Leazes Road underpass. From the Market Place, walk past Boots, cross the pedestrian crossing, go over the bridge and take the slope on your right down to the bus stop (Stand B, PR1).

Sniperley Park and Ride (PR1)

Best for drivers arriving from the west (A690) or A167 north/south.
Open daily, 7am–7pm.
Buses run every 15 minutes via the hospital, County Hall, Wharton Park and Leazes Bowl (alight here for Durham city centre) to Belmont P&R.

Walking directions into the city centre when alighting from the bus: From Leazes Bowl, walk left after alighting, head up the slope, then turn left into the Durham Market Place.

Return directions: From the Market Place, walk past St Nicholas Church on your left, then go down the steps/slope to the bus stop at the end of Milburngate Bridge. Take PR1.

Howlands Park and Ride (PR2)

Best for drivers coming from the south on the A167 or A177.
Located on South Road (A177).
Open Monday–Saturday, 7am–7pm (closed Sundays and Bank Holidays).
Buses run every 15 minutes into the city via Church Street, New Elvet, Milburngate Bridge (alight here for the Durham city parking area) and Leazes Road.

Walking directions into the city centre when alighting from the bus: From Milburngate Bridge, walk left after getting off the bus, go up the slope, then turn right into the Durham Market Place.

Return directions: From the Market Place, walk past Boots on your right, cross the pedestrian crossing, walk over the bridge and take the slope on your right down to the Leazes Road underpass bus stop (Stand B, PR2).

Nearby attractions: The University Botanic Garden, the Oriental Museum and The Story are all close by Howlands P&R carpark. However, each has its own parking area. If leaving your vehicle at Howlands P&R carpark when visiting these nearby attractions you must still purchase a Park and Ride day pass.

Durham City Centre Car Parks

If you prefer to park directly in the city, there are both private and council-run options:

Prince Bishops (Private, ANPR):

Access via the A690 at Leazes Bowl roundabout. Lifts connect to both the town centre level and the riverbanks. Convenient for Durham Market Place and shopping as well as river cruises. Level 1 has accessible bays and is close to Shopmobility, where you can hire wheelchairs, scooters or walking sticks. Standard Durham parking charges apply.

Walkergate (Private, ANPR):

Access via the main A690 Leazes Bowl roundabout, using the westbound slip road under Millburngate Bridge. Lifts connect to both town centre and riverside levels. Very handy for the Gala Theatre. Guests at the adjacent Premier Inn have discounted rate parking charges. (W3W: ///mining.focus.clay)

The Sands (Council, Pay & Display):

Access via Claypath → Providence Row → Freemans Place. Includes EV charging points. A slightly longer walk into the city centre. (W3W:///always.leader.plus)

Sidegate (Council, Pay & Display) & Sidegate NCP (Private, NCP App):

Access from Milburngate, along Framwellgate Waterside (follow coach drop-off signs). Not multi-storey, so may suit motorhomes. (W3W: ///gates.cope.gently and ///plant.gravy.edit)

Riverwalk 1 & 2 (Private):

Access from Milburngate, along Framwellgate Waterside. Car Park 1 closes at 6pm; Car Park 2 is open 24hrs. Convenient for the Odeon cinema, Riverwalk restaurants, and access to riverside walks. (W3W: ///quarrel.atomic.dips)

Durham Station:

Day rate parking is available after 9.30.

On-Street Parking in Durham

Charges apply 8am–6pm.
Free parking in Durham after 6pm.
Locations: Old Elvet, Church Street, Hallgarth Street, Frankland Lane, North Road (by Wharton Park) (and other places).

Exterior view of Walkergate Car Park in Durham, showing its position near the riverside and Gala Theatre. — Walkergate Car Park – one of Durham’s main city centre car parks, with direct access to both the riverside and Gala Theatre.

Accessible and Blue Badge Parking

Durham provides a mix of on-street bays and spaces within car parks:

Any on-street pay & display bay can be used free of charge with a Blue Badge
Specific designated blue badge bays (max 3 hrs):

4 beside St Nicholas Church
5 on Freeman’s Place (W3W: ///stale.tummy.guard)
2 on New Elvet
Framwellgate Waterside (W3W///trying.spin.silly)
2 on South Bailey (advance exemption required)
Palace Green/College Green – apply in advance via Durham Cathedral parking to gain exemption.

Prince Bishops: Accessible bays on Level 1, near Shopmobility. Lifts to both town centre and riverside.

Walkergate: Lifts to city centre and riverside levels.

Other Durham car parks: Details still to be confirmed.

For those needing step-free car parks in Durham for wheelchair users, Prince Bishops and Walkergate are the best choices.

Durham Congestion Charge Zone

The congestion charge zone covers:

Durham Market Place
Saddler Street
Owengate
North Bailey
South Bailey

The zone begins near St Nicholas Church and Next, clearly marked by signs and a red “C” on the road.

£5 charge applies daily, 10am–2am.
Operated via ANPR cameras: you incur a charge as soon as you pass the camera, even if you turn back immediately.
Payment must be made within 24 hours, or the charge increases to £50.

Payment options: Online (account setup required), PayByPhone app (location code 804250), or phone 0191 384 6633.

Motorbikes, Motorhomes and Cycle Parking

Motorbikes

Dedicated spaces at the bottom of Claypath, opposite Millennium Place. Motorbikes may also use on-street pay & display bays free of charge. (W3W: ///always.hype.person)

Motorhomes:

Sidegate is suitable as it is not multi-storey. Some on-street parking may also work. Dedicated motorhome bays available at Park and Ride Durham sites if using the bus service.

Cycle parking:

Stands available at the Millennium Place slip road, Freemen’s Quay Leisure Centre (W3W: ///flag.pounds.skins), North Road near Iceland (W3W:///online.shiny.liked), Elvet Bridge junction with New Elvet and Durham Station.

Public Transport in Durham City

Durham’s Cathedral Bus links the train station and Framwellgate Waterside with Durham City Centre and Cathedral.

Route 40: Station → North Road → Leazes Road underpass → Market Place.
Route 40A: Market Place → coach drop-off point (also for Crook Hall and Radisson Hotel).
Route 40C: Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays; combines 40 and 40A.

Tickets cost £1 (valid all day). Travel is free for bus pass holders and Park and Ride ticket holders.

Taxiranks

Slip road at the side of Millenium Place (W3W: ///marked.flesh.watch)
North Road outside Santander

Cathedral Bus in Durham Market Place with passengers boarding, providing accessible transport between Durham train station, Market Place, and Durham Cathedral. — Durham’s Cathedral Bus connects the train station, Market Place, and cathedral, making it easy for visitors to explore the city without needing a car.

Final Tips

Main multistorey carparks are Prince Bishops, Walkergate and Riverwalk, all within easy walk of city centre.
For parking near Durham Cathedral and Castle, use Prince Bishops.
Cheap parking in Durham city centre is best via Park and Ride.
On-street bays offer free parking in Durham after 6pm.
For Blue Badge parking Durham city centre, use on-street bays or Prince Bishops.
For overnight parking Durham city centre, Riverwalk Car Park 2 is open 24hrs.
The Cathedral bus runs up the hill (10 min walk) from the Market Place

Parking in Durham: A Complete Guide for Visitors