Convenient on-site parking at Burnham Beeches Nature Reserve (SL2 3TF) – perfect for woodland walks, family days out & nature study. Secure your spot from 8 am to dusk.
🚗 Type: Paid Public Car Park
🏛️ Council Jurisdiction: City of London Corporation
🕒 Open: 08:00 – dusk daily (gates close at dusk; check seasonal sunset times)
🌟 Rating: 4.7/5 (Google user average)
💰 Pricing & Permits
Mon–Fri: £1.50 up to 2 hours; £3.00 daily rate
Sat, Sun & Bank Holidays: £3.00 daily rate
Coaches & Minibuses: £18 flat rate at all times
Payment: RingGo app or on-site pay machines (contactless, card, cash)
Permits: Season tickets available via Forestry England website
Future Changes: No planned tariff rises; City of London reviewing permit options for regular visitors
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | Approximately 50 marked bays |
| Surface | Compacted gravel and crushed stone—prone to mud after rain |
| Lighting | None (daylight use only) |
| Security | No CCTV; Forestry England ranger patrols at peak times |
| Height Limit | None (suitable for vans; overnight parking prohibited by byelaws) |
♿ Accessibility
Disabled Access: Level entry from H94H+F5 car park entrance; no dedicated Blue Badge bays on gravel surface
Nearest Adapted Parking: Burnham Station Car Park (4 designated bays) – 5 min walk
Drop-Off Zone: Short layby immediately outside the main gate
🔌 EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None
Nearest Options:
BP Pulse Rapid Chargers (Dropmore Road, SL1 8BQ) – 4×50 kW CCS/CHAdeMO (3 min drive, 24/7)
GeniePoint Fast Units (Neville Court Car Park, SL1 8BQ) – 4×7 kW Type 2 (3 min drive, charge via app)
📅 Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday Mornings (8–10) | ~25% | Dog walkers, birdwatchers |
| Weekday Afternoons | ~20% | Nature enthusiasts, families |
| Weekends (10–14) | ~75% | Leisure visitors, picnic groups |
| Evenings (pre-dusk) | ~10% | Sunset photographers, walkers |
Pro Tip: Arrive by 09:00 on weekends to secure a bay—eastern rows fill fastest.
🚶 Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Burnham Beeches Trails | On-site | Immediate access to circular woodland paths |
| Burnham Beeches Café | 1 min | Hot drinks & snacks at visitor hub |
| Burnham Railway Station | 15 min | Elizabeth line services to central London |
| The Crown Inn (Slough Road) | 10 min | Traditional pub fare & local ales |
🛒 Nearby Amenities
Public Toilets: Visitor Centre (on-site, wheelchair-accessible)
ATM: NatWest (Burnham Station forecourt, 15 min walk)
Pharmacy: Boots (Burnham Station Parade, 15 min walk)
Food & Drink:
Beeches Café (on-site) – 4.2/5, light bites & refreshments
Burnham Beeches Hotel Bar (2 min walk) – all-day dining & afternoon tea
🅿️ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnham Station Car Park | 0.4 mi (5 min walk) | £2.00/day | 24 h | Covered bays, step-free access |
| Farnham Common Car Park | 1.2 mi (20 min walk) | Free | Unlimited | Good for overflow weekends |
| Tesco Express (Farnham Rd) | 1.5 mi (3 min drive) | Free (2 h) | 2 h | Quick errands & EV charging |
⚠️ Important Notices
Overnight Parking: Strictly prohibited; gates lock at dusk and patrols enforce byelaws
Event Days: Expect full occupancy during guided walks, bird-watching weekends & seasonal festivals
Surface Warning: Gravel becomes extremely slippery after rain—wear suitable footwear
📌 Expert Tips
Dog-Walker Hack: Use the western loop entrance to avoid mud in low-lying bays.
Photo Spot: Capture sunrise views from the large beech pollard circle (100 m north of car park).
Family Outing: Combine a car park visit with the nature trail to spot rare fungi and fungi information boards.
🔮 Future Developments
2025: Forestry England trialling digital permit integration for regular visitors.
2026+: Potential installation of eco-friendly signage and picnic shelter enhancements.