🚗 National Trust – Lead Mines Car Park, Polzeath Cliff Top Parking Guide
National Trust Pay & Display parking at historic Lead Mines, Polzeath – free for members & blue-badge holders, dawn-to-dusk access to coastal paths and surfing beaches.
🚗 Type: National Trust Pay & Display Car Park
🕒 Open: Dawn to Dusk (year-round)
🌟 Rating: Not formally reviewed; NT car parks generally praised for clear signage and ease of use.
💰 Pricing & Permits
| Duration | Charge |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £2.00 |
| Up to 4 hours | £4.00 |
| All day (dawn–dusk) | £6.00 |
| Overstay / No ticket | £70 PCN |
Payment Methods:
Pay & Display machine (coins; exact change)
PayByPhone app (location code displayed on machine)
Free Parking:
National Trust members (display membership card)
Blue-badge holders (park in designated bay, badge on display)
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~30 gravel bays (incl. 1 disabled bay) |
| Surface | Compacted gravel with uneven sections |
| Lighting | None—daylight hours only |
| Security | Occasional ranger patrols; no CCTV |
| Height Limit | None (standard vehicles only) |
| Barrier System | None |
♿ Accessibility
Disabled Access: One marked bay adjacent to Pay & Display machine; level gravel route to cliff path.
Nearest Adapted Bay: Polzeath Town Car Park (200 m; 2 bays).
Drop-Off Zone: Informal – short stops tolerated at entrance.
🔌 EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None
Nearest Public Chargers:
Blue Circle Café Car Park (0.8 mi; 4×7 kW) – 10 min walk
Wadebridge Tesco (1.9 mi; 6×7 kW) – 5 min drive
📅 Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Visitors |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 10 AM–4 PM | 60 % | Coastal walkers |
| Weekends 11 AM–3 PM | 90 % | Beachgoers & surfers |
| Early Mornings | 30 % | Sunrise photographers |
| Late Afternoons | 50 % | Golden-hour strollers |
Pro Tip: Arrive before 10 AM in summer weekends to secure a bay; otherwise use Polzeath Town Car Park.
🚶 Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Mines Engine House | 2 min | Historic cliff-edge ruins |
| South West Coast Path | Immediate | Direct coastal walking and birdwatching |
| Polzeath Beach | 12 min | Surf school & sandy bay |
| Blue Circle Café | 10 min | Coffee, ice creams & NT information |
| Polzeath Town Centre | 15 min | Shops, toilets & surf shops |
🛒 Nearby Amenities
On-Site:
NT information panels & dog bins at entrance
In Polzeath (0.8 mi):
Public Toilets: Beach car park beside surf school
Café: Blue Circle Café – refreshments & light bites
Pub: The Polzeath Inn – meals & ales
Shops: Surf outlets & convenience store
🅿️ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polzeath Town Car Park | 0.2 mi | £1.50/hr | 4 h / £6 | Larger capacity & toilets |
| Rock Beach Roadside Laybys | 0.5 mi | Free | Daytime | No charge but uneven surface |
| Daymer Bay NT Car Park | 1.5 mi | £6 all day | Dawn–Dusk | Scenic estuary views |
| Wadebridge Tesco Car Park | 1.9 mi | Free 3 h | 3 h | Supermarket convenience |
| JustPark Private Drives (Polzeath) | 0.3 mi | from £1/hr | Flexible | Pre-booked spaces |
⚠️ Important Notices
Operating Hours: Gates not physically closed, but enforcement via ANPR during hours.
Weather Impact: Surface can become muddy or rutted after rain—park centrally.
No Lighting: Return before dusk; bring torch if staying late.
Coastal Erosion Work: Occasional path diversions; obey signage.
📌 Expert Tips
Membership Perk: Show your NT card for free parking all year.
Cash Carry: Bring coins for the pay machine—no card reader.
Sunrise Hack: Ideal for dawn shoots; bays free before 7 AM.
Footwear: Wear sturdy shoes for uneven terrain.
Surf Prep: If planning surf, park early and walk via lower cliff path.
🔮 Future Developments
2025 Q3: Improved signage and QR code info panels under review.
2026: National Trust exploring solar-powered EV charging pilot at Lead Mines.
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