Barnes riverside parking – pay & display, free evenings & Sundays.
🚗 Type: Surface Pay & Display Car Park (Operated by Richmond upon Thames Council)
🕒 Open: 8 am – 6 pm (Mon–Sat); free outside these hours & on Sundays & bank holidays
🌟 Rating: 4.3 / 5 (local user feedback)
💰 Pricing & Permits
Tariff (Mon–Sat 08:00–18:00):
Up to 1 h: £1.20
Up to 2 h: £2.40
Up to 4 h: £4.80
Over 4 h (max 10 h): £6.00
Evenings & Sundays: Free (no ticket required)
Resident Permits: Zone “B” permits valid in all Richmond off-street lots, including Rocks Lane
Blue Badge Holders: Park free at any time (badge on display)
Payment Methods: Pay & Display machines (cash/card) or RingGo app
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~45 marked bays |
| Disabled Bays | 4 bays adjacent to entrance and exit |
| Surface | Level tarmac with clear bay lining |
| Lighting | LED bollards providing low-level illumination |
| Security | Occasional parking-enforcement patrols |
| Height Restriction | None |
| Entry/Exit | Unbarriered; clear signage to payment points |
♿ Accessibility
Step-Free Access: Pavement dropped kerbs to all bays and footpaths
Drop-Off Zone: Kerbside lay-by adjacent to riverside footpath entrance
Accessible Routes: Smooth path along Ranelagh Avenue leading to the towpath
🔌 EV Infrastructure
On-Site Chargers: None
Nearest Public Chargers:
4 × 7 kW Pod Point units at Barnes Station car park (6 min walk)
2 × 22 kW Ubitricity lamppost chargers on Lonsdale Road (8 min walk)
📅 Peak Times & Occupancy
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 08–10 am | 80 % | Commuters & riverside walkers |
| Weekdays 12–2 pm | 60 % | Lunchtime cafés & shops |
| Saturdays 10 am–4 pm | 95 % | Market-goers & families |
| Evenings after 6 pm | Free | Leisure & dining visitors |
Pro Tip: Park after 4 pm on weekdays to enjoy free evening parking by the river.
🚶 Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Barnes Bridge | 4 min | Thames towpath access & scenic views |
| Barnes High Street | 8 min | Boutiques, cafés & bakery |
| Barnes Station | 6 min | National Rail services |
| Olympic House Café | 3 min | Riverside dining & public toilets |
🛒 Nearby Amenities
Public Toilets: Olympic House Café (during opening hours)
ATM: Barclays, High Street (8 min)
Pharmacy: Boots, High Street (8 min)
Food & Drink:
The Bull’s Head Pub (5 min)
Willow Tearooms (7 min)
Terre à Terre (8 min)
🅿️ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes Station Car Park | 6 min | £1.20 / h; £6.00 / day | 24 h | Covered, EV chargers |
| Lonsdale Road On-Street Bays | 8 min | £1.00 / h; 4 h max | 4 h | Slightly lower hourly rate |
| Barnes Green Car Park | 10 min | Free all day (ticket) | 24 h | Free with token from local shops |
⚠️ Important Notices
Enforcement: Mon–Sat 08:00–18:00 by Civil Enforcement Officers; fines for non-display or overstays
Overnight Parking: Allowed outside enforcement hours but at owner’s risk
Maintenance: Annual line-repainting scheduled September 2025; expect minor disruptions
📌 Expert Tips
Evening Saver: Arrive after 4 pm to benefit from free parking into the evening.
Resident Permit Hack: Use your Zone B permit here to park without charge during enforcement hours.
Towpath Stroll: Combine parking with a scenic walk along the Thames to Barnes Bridge.
🔮 Future Developments
Late 2025: Council reviewing installation of 4 × 7 kW EV chargers at Barnes Station—park here and walk over for charging.
2026: Pilot ANPR pay-by-plate trial to eliminate paper tickets across off-street lots.