Short-stay pay & display at Trengrouse Way ā 185 level bays in Helston town centre, free evenings, EV charging & Blue Badge access.
š Type: Short-Stay Surface Pay-&-Display (Managed by Cornwall Council)
š Open: 24 hours/day, 7 days/week (barrier-free)
š Rating: 4.0/5 (Local user reviews)
š° Pricing & Permits
All days 09:00ā16:00
Up to 30 min: £0.60
Up to 1 hour: £1.10
1ā2 hours: Ā£2.10
2ā3 hours: Ā£3.20
Max stay: 3 hours (no return within 3 hours)
All days 16:00ā09:00: Free
Payment Methods:
Pay-&-Display machines (10pāĀ£2 coins, chip & PIN, contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
RingGo mobile app (location code 8383; 10p transaction fee)
Season/Permit Tickets: Not available for this site
Blue Badge: Must display badge + time clock; normal tariff applies unless registered under Cornwall Council exemption schemes
š Capacity & Physical Features
Feature | Detail |
---|---|
Total Spaces | 185 marked bays |
Surface | Tarmac |
Lighting | Floodlights near entrance; minimal after dusk |
Security | No formal CCTV; managed by council patrols |
Height/Weight Limits | No height limit; weight limit 3,500 kg |
Coach Parking | Not permitted |
Overnight Sleeping | Not allowed |
āæ Accessibility
Disabled Bays: No dedicated on-site bays; Blue Badge holders park in any bay with valid badge & clock
Drop-Off: Informal lay-by at entrance (max 10 min)
Mobility Access: Level surface throughout; dropped kerbs at entry
š EV Infrastructure
On-Site Chargers: 3 EV bays (Swarco E.Connect: 2 fast units + 1 rapid unit capable of simultaneous charging)
Payment: Contactless payment on rapid unit; SWARCO E.Connect app or RFID for fast units
Nearest Additional:
Trengrouse Way Extension (50 kW eVolt chargers) ā 2 min walk
Tesco Helston (7 kW Pod Point) ā 4 min drive
š Peak Times & Occupancy
Timeframe | Approx. Occupancy | User Profile |
---|---|---|
Weekdays 09:00ā11:00 | 85 % | Shoppers & short-stay visitors |
Weekdays 11:00ā14:00 | 70 % | Office workers & errands |
Weekdays 14:00ā16:00 | 60 % | Late appointments & meetings |
Evenings & Mornings | 10 % | Free parking period |
Weekends 10:00ā16:00 | 80 % | Market-goers & town visitors |
Pro Tip: Arrive before 09:00 to guarantee a bay for longer errands, or stay after 16:00 for free evening parking.
š¶ Walkability Score
Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
---|---|---|
Helston High Street | 2 min | Shops, cafƩs & market stalls |
Coinagehall Street Market | 3 min | Weekly local produce & crafts |
Helston Museum & Heritage | 5 min | Local history exhibits |
The Parade Bus Stops | 1 min | Bus links to Penzance, Falmouth & Lizard |
St Michaelās Church | 4 min | Historic landmark visits |
š Nearby Amenities
ATM: Lloyds Bank at Coinagehall Street
Pharmacy: Rowlands Pharmacy on Church Street (3 min walk)
Food & Drink:
CafƩ Aroma (High Street)
The Guildhall Tavern (localsā pub, 4 min)
Fuchsia Bakery & Deli (2 min)
Public Toilets: Civic Centre & Market House
š æļø Alternative Parking Comparison
Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
---|---|---|---|---|
Trengrouse Way Extension | 0.1 mi | Same short-stay | 3 h | EV rapid-charging & extra bays |
Castle Green (Long Stay) | 0.3 mi | £1.00/h; £5.00/day | 24 h | Permit-holder bays; CCTV-secure |
Tyacke Road (Long Stay) | 0.4 mi | £1.00/h; £5.00/day | 24 h | Close to bus station |
Fairground (Free, no limit) | 1.2 mi | Free | Unlimited | Free all day; scenic riverside walk |
ā ļø Important Notices
Return Restriction: No return within 3 hours
Resurfacing Works: Minor surfacing planned summer 2025āexpect short closures of bays
Enforcement: Strict patrols 09:00ā16:00; fines for overstay/dropping kerbs
No Overnight: Vehicles must vacate or risk tow during free hours
š Expert Tips
Market Days: Combine free evening parking (after 16:00) with an early start to catch Thursday market at Coinagehall Street.
Blue Badge Hack: Use evening free period to stay overnight if attending eventsājust donāt return before 09:00.
EV Users: Book rapid charger slot via SWARCO app to avoid waiting on busy weekend mornings.
Long-Stay Alternative: For full-day stays, Castle Green offers all-day ticket at a flat rate with CCTV and reserved bays.
š® Future Developments
2025: Cornwall Council considering solar-powered lighting upgrade and additional EV bays in main car park.
2026: Community proposals to create terraced green event space adjacent to car park, improving pedestrian realm.