๐ Gorran Churchtown Car Park โ Complete St Austell Parking Guide
Free all-day parking at Gorran Churchtown โ perfect for coastal walks, cafรฉ visits & secluded beach access at The Barley Sheaf.
๐ Type: Free Public Surface Car Park
๐๏ธ Jurisdiction: Cornwall Council
๐ Open: 08:00 โ 20:00 daily (gates locked outside these hours)
๐ Rating: 4.5/5 (visitor reviews)
๐ฐ Pricing & Permits
Cost: Free for all users
Payment: Not required
Permits: None required
Future Changes: No plans to introduce charges; council monitoring usage
๐ Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~30 marked bays |
| Surface | Compacted gravelโcan become slippery after rain |
| Lighting | None (daylight use only) |
| Security | No CCTV; park at own risk |
| Height Limit | None (suitable for cars & small vans; no overnight stays) |
โฟ Accessibility
Disabled Access: Level gravel bays nearest the cafรฉ; no marked Blue Badge bays (badge holders may park free)
Nearest Adapted Parking: St Austell town centre multi-storey (designated bays; 5 mi / 12 min drive)
Drop-Off Zone: Layby immediately outside entrance for quick unloading
๐ EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None
Nearest Options:
St Austell Railway Station (NCP): 4ร7 kW Pod Point units, 5 mi / 12 min drive
Tesco Extra Par Car: 4ร7 kW Pod Point units, 5.5 mi / 14 min drive
๐ Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday Mornings | ~25 % | Dog walkers & early beachgoers |
| Weekday Afternoons | ~20 % | Cafรฉ patrons & coastal walkers |
| Weekends (10:00โ16:00) | ~75 % | Families & day-trippers |
| Evenings (pre-close) | ~10 % | Sunset photographers |
Pro Tip: Arrive before 10 am on weekends to secure a bay close to the cafรฉ and beach access.
๐ถ Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| The Barley Sheaf Cafรฉ | On-site | Refreshments & coastal views |
| Gorran Haven Beach | 2 min | Sandy cove & rockpool exploration |
| Gorran Churchtown Village | 4 min | Village pub & shop |
| Coastpath Trail | On-site | Immediate access to South West Coast Path |
๐ Nearby Amenities
Public Toilets: Cafรฉ domestic block (wheelchair-accessible)
ATM: Post Office (Gorran Churchtown village, 4 min walk)
Pharmacy: St Austell town centre (drive recommended)
Food & Drink:
The Barley Sheaf Cafรฉ: hot drinks, light lunches & cakes
Gorran Haven Inn: traditional pub fare (5 min walk)
๐ ฟ๏ธ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorran Haven Car Park | 0.2 mi (4 min) | Free | Unlimited | Closer to beach access |
| Polridmouth Car Park (NT) | 1.2 mi (3 min) | Free* | Unlimited | National Trust members free* |
| St Austell Station (NCP) | 5 mi (12 min) | ยฃ1.50/hr | 24 h | EV charging & rail connections |
*National Trust members park free at Polridmouth.
โ ๏ธ Important Notices
Overnight Parking: Prohibited; gates locked at dusk
Surface Warning: Gravel may rut in heavy rainโdrive slowly
Event Days: Limited space during local regattas & festivals
๐ Expert Tips
Early Bird Hack: Park here then walk the coastpath north before cafรฉ rush.
Beach Combo: Combine parking with a visit to Gorran Haven for rockpooling.
Badge Ease: Blue Badge holders enjoy free parkingโno need for special bays.
๐ฎ Future Developments
2025: Cornwall Council exploring low-impact signage and waymarkers for accessibility.
2026+: Feasibility study for single solar-powered EV charge post at The Barley Sheaf.
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