🚗 Harlyn Bay Car Park – The Complete Padstow Coastal Parking Guide
Harlyn Bay – sandy shore parking, seasonal pay & display, steps from beach & café.
🚗 Type: Private Pay & Display Car Park (Alliance Parking)
🕒 Open: 24/7 (barrier entry; charges apply 09:00–17:00 from 31 Mar–31 Oct; free off-peak and 17:00–09:00)
💰 Pricing & Payment
Seasonal Tariffs (31 Mar–31 Oct, 09:00–17:00):
Up to 1 h: £2.20
1–2 h: £4.40
2–3 h: £5.50
3–4 h: £6.50
All day (24 h max): £10.00 Cornish Secrets
Off-Peak & Winter (01 Nov–30 Mar, plus 17:00–09:00 daily): Free access
Payment Methods:
JustPark app (plus 10 p transaction fee) cornwall.gov.uk
On-site pay machine (card/contactless; note patchy mobile signal near low car park—better reception uphill by The Beach Box café)
Grace Period: Alliance Parking states a 10-minute grace but charges from entry time The Times
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~120 bays across two levels (bottom gravel & upper field) |
| Disabled Bays | 4 marked bays adjacent to main path; free with badge |
| Surface | Lower: compacted gravel; Upper: grass field (occasional mud after rain) |
| Lighting | None (rural setting; bring torch after dusk) |
| Barrier | ANPR-controlled entry/exit |
| Security | CCTV at entrance; Alliance Parking patrols |
| Signage | Alliance Parking “P” boards & seasonal tariff notices |
♿ Accessibility & Adapted Facilities
Blue Badge Bays: Four bays adjacent to entrance path—no time limit
Drop-Off Zone: Kerbside pull-in by pay machine for easy unloading
Pathways: Compacted stone path with gentle slope to beach access ramp
Seating: Picnic benches at top car park overlooking beach
🚶 Walkability & Coastal Links
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Harlyn Bay Beach Access | 2 min | Sandy shore, surf school & lifeguards |
| The Beach Box Café | 5 min | Coffee, snacks & Wi-Fi |
| South West Coast Path | On-site | Cliff-top walking & panoramic views |
| Padstow Village Centre | 15 min | Shops, pubs & public toilets |
📅 Demand Patterns & Seasonal Notes
| Period | Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Weekday Mornings | 70 % | Early beachgoers & surfers |
| Summer Weekday Afternoons | 85 % | Families & holiday visitors |
| Summer Weekends | 95 % | Peak tourist influx |
| Off-Season | 20 % | Local dog walkers & anglers |
Pro Tip: Arrive before 09:00 in high season to secure a bay in the lower car park; use upper field if full.
🛒 Nearby Amenities & Services
Toilets: Beach Box Café (seasonal opening hours)
Café & Kiosk: Light meals & refreshments at Café and mobile surf kiosk
Surf School: Harlyn Surf Company at southern end—equipment hire & lessons
⚠️ Important Notices & Policies
Enforcement: Alliance Parking stringent on unpaid stays—PCN fines typically £60–£100 Tripadvisor
Overstay Penalty: £60 if no valid ticket displayed; appeals via Alliance Parking portal
Winter Closure: Upper field closed when ground saturated—watch for barrier signage
Maintenance: Gravel regrading annually (next due Spring 2026)
📌 Visitor Tips
Mobile Signal: Weak at lower level—pay via machine or walk uphill for signal.
Surfing: Park in lower bays for quickest beach access; rinse equipment at pay machine area.
Blue Badge Users: Display badge and use adjacent bays for shortest path.
Weather Alert: Upper field prone to flooding—choose gravel bays in heavy rain.
🔮 Future Developments & Planning
2025 Q3: Feasibility for 4 × 7 kW EV chargers in upper car park (council grant)
2025 Q4: Alliance Parking website relaunch for online payments and appeal management
2026: Proposal to add +50 bays on adjacent farmland (planning ref: CC/PLN/2024/1299)
Accessibility Audit: Path gradient review scheduled Jan 2026
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