
Free park-and-ride style parking at Priory Park, St. Neots โ dawn-to-dusk access to woodland walks, sports pitches & childrenโs play areas.
๐ Type: Free Public Car Park (Council-managed)
๐ Open: 7 AM โ Dusk (year-round; hours vary by season)
๐ Rating: 4.5 / 5 (community-submitted reviews for park facilities)
๐ฐ Pricing & Permits
Cost: Free (no pay-and-display or permits required)
Restrictions: Parking limited to park opening hours; vehicles left after dusk may be locked in until next morning.
Blue-Badge Holders: No charge; standard bays (no designated marked spaces).
๐ Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~40 unmarked bays |
| Surface | Hardened gravel |
| Lighting | Solar-powered bollard lights at main entrance only |
| Security | Occasional ranger patrols; no CCTV |
| Height Limit | None (standard vehicles; vans tolerated) |
| Barrier System | None |
โฟ Accessibility
Disabled Access: Level gravel path from car park to visitor pavilion; no formal dropped kerbs.
Nearest Adapted Bay: The Priory Centre Car Park (Huntingdon Rd, 2 min walk; 2 marked bays).
Drop-Off Zone: Informal layby adjacent to main entrance (short-term only).
๐ EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None
Nearest Public Chargers:
Priory Centre Car Park (2 ร 3 kW; 2 min walk)
Cambridge Street Car Park (3 ร 7 kW; 6 min drive)
๐ Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Visitors |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 9 AMโ11 AM | 50 % | Dog walkers & joggers |
| Weekdays 3 PMโ6 PM | 40 % | After-school sports teams |
| Saturdays 11 AMโ2 PM | 85 % | Families & weekend hikers |
| Sundays 10 AMโ4 PM | 90 % | Picnic-goers & cyclists |
Pro Tip: Arrive before 10 AM at weekends to secure a central bay for easy access to football pitches and play areas.
๐ถ Walkability Score
(All walk times from car park entrance)
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Priory Park Pavilion | 2 min | Visitor info, seating & toilets |
| Childrenโs Play Areas | 3 min | Two enclosed playgrounds |
| Football & Mini-Soccer Pitches | 4 min | Bookable via local clubs |
| Woodland Trails Entrance | 1 min | 32 ha of mixed-woodland walking routes |
| St. Neots Town Centre | 12 min | Shops, cafรฉs & transport links |
๐ Nearby Amenities
Essentials
Public Toilets: Pavilion building (2 min)
Drinking Water Fountain: Adjacent to car park entrance
Picnic Tables: Scattered near play areas
Food & Drink
Pavilion Cafรฉ: Seasonal refreshments (2 min)
Priory Centre Cafรฉ: Indoor seating & hot meals (5 min)
St. Neots High Street: Variety of restaurants & supermarkets (12 min)
๐ ฟ๏ธ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Priory Centre Car Park | 0.1 mi | ยฃ0.80 /hr | 4 h / ยฃ3.00 | EV charging & marked blue-badge bays |
| Cambridge Street Car Park | 0.5 mi | Free (Sun) | 23 h / ยฃ4.00 | Long-stay option & more spaces |
| Waitrose St. Neots | 0.6 mi | Free (3 h) | 3 h | Adjacent shopping amenities |
| Town Centre Council Lots | 0.7 mi | ยฃ1.20 /hr | 4 h / ยฃ6.00 | Covered parking & CCTV |
| Eaton Socon Multi-Storey | 1.2 mi | ยฃ1.00 /hr | 24 h | Park-and-ride bus links to Cambridge |
โ ๏ธ Important Notices
Closing Time: Vehicles locked in after dusk may not exit until park re-opens at 7 AM.
Surface Conditions: Gravel can become muddy after heavy rainโpark centrally.
Wildlife: Deer and swans frequent the lake areaโdrive slowly.
Sporting Events: Pitches in use may limit space on evenings and weekends.
๐ Expert Tips
Dog-Walkerโs Delight: Use the leafy northeastern trail for quieter walks.
Pavilion Hack: Pavilion Cafรฉ opens 9 AM weekendsโgrab tea before your walk.
Cycle-Friendly: Cycle racks by entrance; bring your own lock.
Picnic Prep: Tables near play areas fill quicklyโarrive early or bring a blanket.
๐ฎ Future Developments
2025 Summer: Installation of two additional layby spaces near the pavilion.
2026: Potential upgrade of pavilion facilities, including expanded cafรฉ and toilets.