๐ Priory Car Park โ The Complete Dunstable LU5 4RQ Guide
Central Dunstable parking at Priory โ free 1 hour, affordable day rates, Blue Badge bays & steps from the Priory church, shops & bus interchange.
๐ Overview
Type: Surface Pay-and-Display & Free Short-Stay (Central Bedfordshire Council)
Open: 08:00โ18:00 MonโSat; free outside these hours and all day Sunday & bank holidays
Rating: โ
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โ 4.0/5 (local feedback)
๐ฐ Tariffs & Permits
| Duration | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First 1 hour | Free | No ticket required |
| 1โ2 hours | ยฃ1.00 | Pay-and-display at machine or via RingGo app |
| 2โ4 hours | ยฃ2.00 | ย |
| Over 4 hours | ยฃ4.00 (daily cap) | Covers 08:00โ18:00 period |
| Blue Badge Holders | Free up to 3 h | Display badge + time clock |
| Return Restriction | No return within 1 h of exit during charged hours | ย |
Payment: Coins, card/contactless or RingGo app (location code displayed).
Enforcement: Civil Enforcement Officers patrol 08:00โ18:00 MonโSat; PCNs for overstay.
๐ Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Bays | Approx. 80 marked bays |
| Disabled Bays | 6 bays clearly signed near church entrance |
| Surface | Tarmac with clear bay markings |
| Lighting | Street-lamp coverage across the site |
| Security | Occasional council patrols; no CCTV |
| Height Limit | None |
โฟ Accessibility
Blue Badge Bays: 6 designated; free up to 3 h.
Drop-off Zone: 10-minute lay-by adjacent to entrance.
Pedestrian Access: Flush kerbs and level path to Priory and High Street.
๐ EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None
Nearest Options:
Queensway Car Park (2ร7 kW Pod Point) โ 5 min walk
Dunstable Leisure Centre (Shell Recharge, 2ร50 kW) โ 8 min drive
๐ Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 09:00โ11:00 | 85 % | Morning shoppers & churchgoers |
| Weekdays 12:00โ14:00 | 60 % | Lunchtime cafรฉ visitors |
| Weekdays 16:00โ18:00 | 80 % | Evening errands & appointments |
| Saturdays 10:00โ14:00 | 95 % | Weekend shoppers & market goers |
Pro Tip: Use the free first hour for quick visits; if staying later, pay the daily cap at your convenience.
๐ถ Walkability & Connections
| Destination | Walk Time | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Priory Church & Gardens | 1 min | Historic church, events & cafรฉ |
| Dunstable Market Place | 3 min | Wednesday & Saturday street market |
| High Street Shops & Cafรฉs | 4 min | Retail, leisure & dining |
| Dunstable Bus Interchange | 2 min | Services to Luton, Milton Keynes etc. |
| Dunstable Station Park & Ride | 5 min | Free P&R & rail links |
๐ Nearby Amenities
ATM: Nationwide & Barclays on High Street (3 min)
Pharmacy: Boots (High Street, 4 min)
Food & Drink:
The Priory Cafรฉ (on-site)
The Chequers Inn (pub, 2 min)
Public Toilets: Market Place facilities (fee applies)
๐ ฟ๏ธ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensway Multi-Storey | 0.2 mi | ยฃ1.20/hr | 24 h max | Covered & EV chargers |
| Dunstable Leisure Centre | 0.5 mi | ยฃ2.50/day | 24 h | Rapid chargers & free evenings |
| On-Street Bays (West St) | Adjacent | ยฃ0.80/hr (2 h) | 2 h max | Cheaper short-stay |
โ ๏ธ Important Notices
Return Rule: No return within 1 h of exit to prevent bay-hopping.
Free Periods: Outside 08:00โ18:00 bays unmonitored but remain signed.
Market Days: Arrive early Wed/Sat to avoid peak.
๐ Expert Tips
Church Events: For concerts at the Priory, arrive by 17:00 to secure a bay and use the evening free period.
Blue Badge Hack: Use RingGoโs โBlue Badgeโ option to validate free stay remotely.
App Top-Up: Pre-load RingGo credits to extend without revisiting your car.
๐ฎ Future Developments
2025: Council reviewing installation of 4 on-site EV chargers and solar lighting.
2026: Proposal to expand bay count by 10 and add CCTV coverage.
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