🚗 UHCW Car Park A – The Ultimate Coventry Hospital Parking Guide

🚗 Type: Pay-and-display Hospital Car Park – multi-level (visitors)
🕒 Open: 24/7 (always accessible)
🌟 Rating: ~4.0/5 (Google Reviews, based on visitor feedback)

💰 Pricing & Permits

Cost: Up to 10 minutes – FREE; 1 hr – £3.60; 2 hrs – £5.00; 3 hrs – £5.70; 4 hrs – £6.80; 5 hrs – £8.90; 6 hrs – £11.00; 24 hrs – £12.50. (No additional evening or weekly rate – 24h is the maximum daily charge.)
Payment: Pay at ground-floor machines (cash or card) or via RingGo mobile app. Sessions may be extended by phone up to 24 hours. Lost ticket incurs full day charge.
Permits: Only staff/permits use ANPR barriers. Casual visitors take a paper ticket at entry. No special permit is needed for visitors.
Concessions: Blue Badge holders and eligible patients (e.g. chemotherapy or dialysis patients, long-term inpatients’ families, bereavement visitors, frequent outpatients) park free under Trust policy (registration required). Always display and register your Blue Badge in advance to avoid charges.

📊 Capacity & Physical Features

This large car park has clear wayfinding: digital signs at entrances indicate which floor has free spaces. The layout is flat except for gentle ramps between decks. Note that the upper levels are uncovered, so parking spots on upper decks may be wetter in rain.

♿ Accessibility

• Step-Free Access: All levels connected by elevators; step-free exit directly into hospital buildings. Four lifts open at each deck’s disabled parking area. Wide disabled bays are located near elevator lobbies.
• Drop-Off Zone: A 10-minute free drop-off bay is provided at the hospital main entrance (no payment needed for quick patient drop-offs). After unloading, drivers should move their car into a proper bay and pay.

Hospital corridors and entrances are wheelchair-friendly. For extra caution, Blue Badge holders must register their badge with the Trust (via the helpline) before parking.

🔌 EV Infrastructure

• On-Site Charging: Eight 7 kW Type 2 EV chargers on Level 2 (behind spaces 2–9); operate on pay-as-you-go (access via RFID key fob from hospital reception, no smartphone app required).
• Nearby Fast Chargers: Public rapid chargers are not on-site. The closest high-speed stations are at Coventry Rail Station (~2 miles south, multiple CCS/CHAdeMO 50kW+ chargers) and Walsgrave Triangle shopping (Instavolt/Other rapid chargers ~0.5 mile away at the Sainsbury’s/Asda area). Plan accordingly if requiring a fast charge.
• Future EV Expansion: NHS plans to add ~10 more chargepoints in this car park by 2025 as part of a green transport initiative.

📅 Peak Times & Occupancy

Pro Tip: If Car Park A is full, try UHCW Car Park B (next door) or free parking at Caludon Castle Park (about 10–12 min walk east) on weekdays. Car Park B is an adjacent multi-storey with similar pricing and often has open bays when A is congested. Caludon Castle Park is free and scenic (open 9:30am–5pm), but fills early and closes after dark.

🚶 Walkability Score

All the hospital’s own facilities (pharmacy, WHSmith, M&S, cafes) are just a few minutes’ walk from the car park exit. The Tesco (Clifford Bridge Rd, CV2 2TS) is a short stroll for overnight fuel or shopping. The Stonehouse pub/restaurant “The Walsgrave” at the Tesco site offers sit-down meals if you don’t want hospital canteen food. Caludon Castle Park provides a pleasant walk and free parking if you don’t mind the distance.

🛒 Nearby Amenities

• Essentials:
  • Toilets: Available inside the hospital (ground floor, main foyer).
  • ATM: Cashpoint in WHSmith (hospital mall). The Tesco also has cash machines.
  • Pharmacy: Hospital pharmacy (Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm) plus Tesco Pharmacy (8am–8pm).
  • Refunds: The hospital’s General Office (main reception) processes parking fee refunds for eligible patients/beneficiaries.
• Food & Shopping:
  • On-Site Cafés: Subway (08:30–02:00), Union House Coffee (Starbucks branding, 06:30–20:00 weekdays), main restaurant (hot meals 07:00–18:00).
  • Snack Stops: WHSmith and M&S Food on site sell sandwiches and snacks 7 days a week.
  • Nearby Eateries: The Walsgrave Stonehouse Pizza & Carvery (3-min walk) serves pub fare and daily roast. Domino’s Pizza (delivery to the hospital).
  • Groceries: Tesco Walsgrave Superstore (adjacent) is open until midnight (7am on Sundays).
• Other: Cashpoint and travel money services in WHSmith, baby changing and prayer rooms in the hospital. The Trust also offers wardrobe storage for belongings (see main entrance information desk).

🅿️ Alternative Parking Comparison

UHCW Car Park B is literally next to Car Park A (follow signs for Walsgrave Campus). Caludon Castle Park offers free parking but is quite a walk and gates lock in the evenings. Bell Green Park & Ride allows cheap parking (£1) but requires a bus/shuttle ride (buses from there run to city; from city take local bus or taxi). NCP Belgrade Plaza is a city center multi-storey with a daily cap (~£10) – useful if you want to park and return by bus or taxi. Always check specific hours and any shopping-validation rules at supermarkets.

⚠️ Important Notices

• Blue Badge Scheme: Blue Badge holders park free, but must pre-register their badge with the hospital (call the dedicated line in advance). Merely displaying a badge without registration may still incur charges.
• Payment Enforcement: This car park is monitored 24/7 (ParkingEye). Do not exceed your paid time – fines for overstaying apply. Sessions can be paid on exit up to 24 hours.
• Overnight Parking: Cars are allowed to remain overnight (e.g. for inpatients’ families), but the Trust recommends no parking beyond 24h without purpose. Long-term parking (days at a time) is not officially supported.
• No On-Street Free Parking: All nearby streets have restrictions or are permit-only. Illegally parking on side roads (Ansty Rd, Dorchester Way, etc.) can result in fines or towing.

Always take your ticket or scan the QR code before leaving. Keep valuables out of sight – while CCTV is extensive, it primarily helps hospital security.

📌 Expert Tips

• Arrive Early/Late: Aim for before 8 AM or after 4 PM on weekdays to beat peak demand. Early mornings (8–9 AM) fill fastest. Late evenings and weekends are usually quiet.
• Use Car Park B: If A is jammed, head north to Car Park B – it’s slightly uphill but usually has spare space.
• PayByPhone App: Download RingGo (PayByPhone) to pay without queuing at machines. You can even start your session before arriving if you know your length of stay.
• Drop-off First: If driving a patient, use the 10-min drop-off zone near the main entrance, then re-park your car. This avoids leaving a car idle while you unload.
• Hospital Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available in waiting areas – top up parking time or check emails while you wait.
• Stay Updated: Parking rates change occasionally (last review 2024). Check the UHCW website or signage at barriers for the latest fees before you park.

🔮 Future Developments

• 2025 EV Expansion: Plans to install ~10 additional EV charging bays in Car Park A are under review, as the Trust moves toward green energy targets.
• 2026 Link Road: A new hospital access road is proposed (Clifford Bridge Link) to ease congestion on surrounding streets. This may improve entry/exit flow and could allow space for more parking or pedestrian paths.
• Digital Payments: The Trust is moving toward fully cashless payment systems; expect updates to allow contactless tags or app-only parking.
• NHS Parking Policy: National guidance on staff parking is evolving; future changes may further restrict staff in visitor bays, increasing availability for patients and visitors.

Stay tuned to UHCW news bulletins for announcements on these projects.

Bottom Line: UHCW Car Park A is a large, well-lit multi-storey covering all patient and visitor needs. By knowing the daily rates, drop-off options, and nearby alternatives, you can minimize stress and expense. Plan ahead (especially for special needs parking), and use our tips to make your Coventry hospital visit as smooth as possible.