National Trust Car Park – Cookham Moor – The Complete Visitor Guide 🚗
Scenic riverside parking in Cookham – Free for National Trust members, steps from Thames Path & Stanley Spencer Gallery. Your gateway to the Chilterns.
🚗 Type: Member/Public Car Park (National Trust)
🕒 Open: Dawn to dusk (gated access)
🌟 Rating: 4.7/5 (praised for location, noted for limited spaces)
💰 PRICING & PERMITS
Cost:
Free for National Trust members (display card)
£5/day for non-members (honesty box)
Payment: Cash/coins only (no contactless)
Permits: NT membership required for free parking
📊 CAPACITY & PHYSICAL FEATURES
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~35 (grass & gravel surface) |
| Surface | Mixed grass/gravel (can flood after heavy rain) |
| Lighting | None (natural light only) |
| Security | Rural location – low crime but no CCTV |
| Height Limit | 2.0m (unsuitable for motorhomes) |
♿ ACCESSIBILITY
Disabled Access: Compacted gravel path but no designated bays
Nearest Adapted Parking: Cookham Station Car Park (8-min walk, 2x bays)
Drop-Off Zone: Church Road (adjacent to car park entrance)
🔌 EV INFRASTRUCTURE
On-Site Charging: None (rural conservation area)
Nearest Options:
Pod Point (Waitrose SL6 9EN – 2x 7kW) – 10-min drive
Tesla Supercharger (Maidenhead SL6 8BY) – 15-min drive
📅 PEAK TIMES & OCCUPANCY
| Timeframe | Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Weekends 10AM–4PM | 100% | Thames Path walkers |
| Weekdays 9AM–12PM | 60% | NT members/rural commuters |
| Winter Weekdays | 30% | Local dog walkers |
| Pro Tip: Arrive before 9AM on sunny weekends or use Cookham Station Car Park (pay-by-phone). |
🚶 WALKABILITY SCORE
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Thames Path | 2-min | Direct riverside access |
| Stanley Spencer Gallery | 5-min | Cultural highlight |
| The Bel & The Dragon | 7-min | Historic riverside pub |
| Cookham Bridge | 10-min | Picturesque crossing to Bourne End |
🛒 NEARBY AMENITIES
Essentials:
Public Toilets: Cookham Moor (seasonal, 3-min walk)
ATM: Cookham Village Post Office (5-min walk)
Food & Drink:
The Ferry (4-min walk) – Waterside dining
Cookham Tearooms (6-min walk) – Homemade cakes
🅿️ ALTERNATIVE PARKING COMPARISON
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cookham Station | 0.5 miles | £3.50/day | 24h | Rail commuter option |
| Moor Hall (SL6 9SW) | 0.3 miles | Free | 2h | Smaller overflow option |
| Waitrose SL6 9EN | 1.5 miles | Free (2h) | 2h | EV charging available |
⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICES
Overnight Parking: Strictly prohibited (gates locked at dusk)
Flood Risk: Avoid during/after heavy rain (common Jan-Feb)
Event Days: High demand during:
Cookham Regatta (July)
Stanley Spencer Festival (September)
📌 EXPERT TIPS
NT Membership Hack: Free parking pays for itself in 4 visits (£5/day vs £10/month membership).
Photography Tip: Sunrise over the moor from the eastern bays.
Bike Combo: Park here + cycle Thames Path to Marlow (avoiding parking fees).
🔮 FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
2025: Potential resurfacing (subject to NT funding)
2026: Feasibility study for solar-powered pay station
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