🚗 Grafton Gate Car Park – 163–175 Grafton Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 1LH
Central Milton Keynes Park & Ride parking – affordable daily rates, Blue-Badge bays & swift bus links to city centre and station.
🚗 Type: Park & Ride Surface Car Park (Milton Keynes City Council)
🕒 Open: 24/7 (charges apply 06:00–20:00; free outside these hours)
🌟 Rating: 4.3 / 5 (visitor feedback praises reliability and bus connections)
💰 Pricing & Permits
| Duration | Charge |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £1.00 |
| Up to 2 hours | £1.80 |
| Up to 4 hours | £3.60 |
| All day (06:00–20:00) | £5.00 |
| Weekly Pass | £16.00 |
| Lost Ticket | £7.00 |
Payment Methods: Pay & Display machines (coins, card/contactless) or PayByPhone app (location code on signage)
Blue-Badge Holders: Free parking in marked bays (badge displayed)
Season Permits: Weekly and monthly permits available via council portal
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | Approximately 250 marked bays |
| Surface | Tarmac with painted bay markings |
| Lighting | LED floodlights throughout |
| Security | CCTV coverage; patrols by Park & Ride staff |
| Barrier System | None |
♿ Accessibility
Disabled Access: 8 marked bays adjacent to bus shelter; level tarmac routes
Drop-Off Zone: Short-stay layby at entrance for quick alighting
Pedestrian Routes: Covered walkway to bus pick-up point
🔌 EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None
Nearest Public Chargers:
Central MK Station Car Park (0.5 mi; 4×22 kW) – 8 min walk
Grafton Gate Car Park D (0.1 mi; 4×7 kW) – 2 min walk
📅 Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 07:00–09:00 | ~85 % | City commuters & rail users |
| Weekdays 16:00–18:00 | ~75 % | Return commuters |
| Saturdays 10:00–14:00 | ~60 % | Leisure shoppers |
| Evenings after 20:00 | Free | Unrestricted |
Pro Tip: Purchase a weekly pass to guarantee a bay and enjoy unlimited hop-on bus travel into central MK.
🚶 Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Park & Ride Bus Shelter | Immediate | Frequent shuttles to CMK station & town |
| Central Milton Keynes Station | 8 min | Rail links to London, Birmingham |
| Midsummer Boulevard Shops | 10 min | Retail arcades & cafés |
| Campbell Park North | 5 min | Pedal-and-ride cycle route & green space |
| Grafton Gate Car Park D | 2 min | EV charging and covered bays |
🛒 Nearby Amenities
On-Site:
Bus Shelter: Timetables & seating
Ticket Machine: Park & Ride ticket sales
Within 10 min walk:
Upper and Lower Malls: Shops, restaurants & restrooms
Midsummer Place: Covered shopping centre
Arena MK: Events, concerts & arena dining
⚠️ Important Notices
Enforcement: Parking attendants patrol daily; PCN for unpaid or overstayed vehicles
Operating Hours: Exit permitted 24/7, but pay-hours only 06:00–20:00
Bus Service: Last bus from CMK station around 22:30—check timetable to avoid a walk back
📌 Expert Tips
Bus Saver: Validate your Park & Ride ticket for unlimited same-day bus rides on Milton Keynes buses
Evening Visits: After 20:00 parking is free—ideal for evening theatre or arena events
Blue-Badge Hack: Display badge and board bus at dedicated Blue-Badge bay for priority seating
Weekend Strategy: Use the free evening window (20:00–06:00) for out-of-hours attendance at arena events at no extra cost
🔮 Future Developments
2025 Q4: Council exploring solar canopy installation for EV charging points in bay cluster 20–30
2026: Proposal to increase capacity by 50 bays subject to adjacent land availability
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