🚗 Exchequer Quay Car Park – The Complete Penryn TR10 Parking Guide
Short-stay pay & display at Penryn’s waterfront – free after 4pm, Blue Badge bays & easy stroll to cafés, harbour trails & town centre.
🚗 Type: Short-Stay Surface Pay-&-Display (Managed by Cornwall Council)
🕒 Open: 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
🌟 Rating: 4.0/5 (Local feedback)
💰 Pricing & Permits
| Time Period | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00–16:00 (all days) | Up to 30 min: £0.60 | |
| Up to 1 h: £1.10 | ||
| 1–2 h: £2.10 | ||
| 2–3 h: £3.20 | ||
| 16:00–09:00 (all days) | Free | |
| Maximum Stay | 5 hours | No return within 1 hour |
| Permit Holders | Not applicable | |
| Blue Badge Holders | Free up to 5 h | Display badge + time clock |
Payment via on-street machines (coins, card, contactless) or RingGo app; machines accept 10 p–£2 coins, chip & PIN, Apple/Google Pay Cornwall Councilpenryn-tc.gov.uk.
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~60 marked bays |
| Surface | Tarmac |
| Lighting | LED floodlights near entrance; minimal elsewhere |
| Security | Occasional council patrols; no CCTV |
| Height Limit | None |
♿ Accessibility
Blue Badge Bays: 4 designated bays close to Commercial Road entrance; free up to 5 h with badge + clock
Drop-off Zone: Informal pull-in beside ticket machine (max 10 min)
Level Access: Kerb cuts to pavement; level route to harbour trailhead
🔌 EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None
Nearest Options:
Saracen Car Park (TR10 8LW) – 4×7 kW Pod Point chargers; 3 min walk
Falmouth Town Centre – multiple fast chargers; 5 min drive
📅 Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Approx. Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 09:00–11:00 | 85 % | Short-stay shoppers & café goers |
| Weekdays 11:00–14:00 | 70 % | Harbour visitors & appointments |
| Weekdays 14:00–16:00 | 60 % | Errands & trail walkers |
| Evenings & Early Morn | 15 % | Free-after-4pm period |
| Weekends 10:00–16:00 | 90 % | Tourists & market shoppers |
Pro Tip: Arrive after 16:00 for guaranteed free bays, or before 09:00 to secure a spot for day-long exploration.
🚶 Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Penryn Harbour & Quay Trailhead | 2 min | Coastal path & water-side cafés |
| Penryn Town Centre | 5 min | Shops, pubs & gallery |
| Saracen Street Car Park (EV bays) | 3 min | Pay & display + EV charging |
| Falmouth University Penryn Campus | 8 min | Lecture halls & student facilities |
| Commercial Road Bus Stops | 1 min | Frequent services to Falmouth & Truro |
🛒 Nearby Amenities
ATM: Tesco Express (Commercial Rd) – 4 min walk
Pharmacy: Spar Pharmacy (Town Centre) – 5 min walk
Food & Drink:
Quay One Café (Harbour edge)
The Ship Inn (riverside pub)
Penryn Market stalls (Wed & Sat)
Public Toilets: Harbour Car Park (level access; closed 20:00–08:00)
🅿️ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saracen Street Car Park | 0.1 mi | Same tariff | 5 h | EV charging bays |
| Foundry Car Park (Council) | 0.2 mi | £6/day | 24 h | Long-stay option, CCTV |
| On-Street (Commercial Rd) | Adjacent | £1.10/h (2 h max) | 2 h | Evenings & Sundays free |
| Park & Ride (University P&R) | 1.5 mi | £2/day | 24 h | Shuttle bus to Falmouth |
⚠️ Important Notices
Return Restriction: No re-entry within 1 h of exit if you’ve used the 5 h maximum stay
Free After Hours: Parking is free each day from 16:00–09:00, but bays remain unmonitored
Enforcement: Strict patrols 09:00–16:00; overstay fines enforced
📌 Expert Tips
Market Days: Combine free evening period with a market stall browse—stay past closing to avoid charges
Blue Badge Hack: Use after-4pm free period for unlimited overnight parking (badge + clock required)
Harbour Walk: Pay for just 30 min if you’re grabbing coffee; extend to 3 h if you plan to explore the quay
🔮 Future Developments
2025: Cornwall Council exploring installation of 4 EV charging bays in Exchequer Quay Car Park
2026: Proposal under review to upgrade lighting and add CCTV coverage
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