🚗 Public Car Park (1.5 Hours Free) – The Complete Bourton-on-the-Water Parking Guide (GL54 2AN)
Central short-stay parking on Bourton-on-the-Water High Street — 90 minutes free with registration, moments from the Model Village, Motoring Museum and riverside shops.
🚗 Type: Short-stay public car park (free period with registration)
🕒 Open: Access hours not formally published; open-air layout typically offers 24/7 access — always follow on-site signage.
📍 Location: High Street area, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2AN (village centre).
💰 Pricing & Permits
Headline: Free 1 hour 30 minutes when you register your number plate at the on-site terminal; standard tariffs apply after the free period.
Payment after free period: Pay at on-site machine (tariffs posted locally).
Enforcement: Private short-stay site with sign-posted terms; compliance requires entering your VRM during the free period.
Blue Badge: No explicit concessions listed for this car park; Blue Badge concessions apply at council-run alternatives.
If you need longer than 1.5 hours, plan to use Station Road or Rissington Road car parks (see comparison below) to avoid overstay charges.
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total spaces | ~120 bays |
| Layout | Open-air surface car park; marked bays; no entry/exit barriers reported |
| Height limit | None expected (no multi-storey or barrier) |
| Lighting | Street-level lighting typical for High Street |
| Security | Standard private-land signage; likely ANPR in operation |
♿ Accessibility
Designated bays: Not listed for this site.
Nearest confirmed adapted parking:
Rissington Road Car Park: 9 disabled bays; Blue Badge holders park free up to max stay.
Village accessibility: Disabled toilets on High Street and at Rissington Road; High Street also has on-street disabled bays.
Drop-off: High Street lay-bys allow quick drop-offs outside shops/cafés (check signage).
🔌 EV Infrastructure
On-site charging: None at this car park.
Nearest options:
Rissington Road Car Park: 8 x 7 kW Connected Kerb bays (incl. 1 Blue Badge). Parking charges apply while charging.
Other chargers available across the village; check live availability via apps.
📅 Peak Times & Occupancy (Typical)
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Visitor Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 10:00–15:00 | High (70–90%) | Day-trippers & coach visitors |
| Weekends (Mar–Oct) 10:00–16:00 | Very High (often full) | Families & tourists |
| Evenings after 18:00 | Moderate | Dining & riverside walks |
Pro Tip: If 1.5 hours will be too short, go directly to Station Road or Rissington Road to avoid fines.
🚶 Walkability Score (from GL54 2AN)
| Destination | Walk Time | Why it’s handy |
|---|---|---|
| Cotswold Motoring Museum | ~3–5 minutes | Family attraction on the river |
| The Model Village | ~3–5 minutes | Classic miniature village |
| Birdland Park & Gardens | ~8–10 minutes | Easy riverside walk |
| Riverside cafés & shops (High St) | 1–3 minutes | Direct access to food & gifts |
🛒 Nearby Amenities
Essentials
Public Toilets: High Street (Church Rooms, GL54 2AX) and Rissington Road (GL54 2DR); both with accessible facilities.
ATM & groceries: Several convenience stores and ATMs on or near High Street.
Pharmacies/health: Available in village centre.
Food Options
Numerous cafés, bakeries and pubs along High Street and riverside — all within 1–5 minutes’ walk.
🅿️ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Typical Charges & Notes | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rissington Road Car Park | ~5–7 min walk | Council tariffs; 192 spaces; 9 disabled bays; 8 EV bays | Largest capacity; EV charging |
| Station Road Car Park | ~6–8 min walk | Council tariffs; popular long-stay and coach access | Good for all-day parking |
⚠️ Important Notices
Registration mandatory: The free 1.5 hours requires entering your vehicle registration at the terminal.
Stay management: If visiting multiple attractions or dining, 1.5 hours is rarely enough — relocate to long-stay parking.
Events & tourism peaks: Summer weekends and holidays are extremely busy; arrive early or head straight to long-stay options.
📌 Expert Tips
On arrival: Register your vehicle before leaving the car.
If staying longer: Choose Rissington Road or Station Road for stress-free visits.
Accessibility: Rissington Road provides designated disabled bays, EV points, and accessible toilets.
🔮 Future/Recent Developments
EV rollout: Rissington Road has already been upgraded with Connected Kerb chargers; more council sites expected to follow.
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