Finding somewhere to park is one of the most practical parts of planning a day out in Cornwall, and it can also be one of the most frustrating, especially in the height of summer when popular spots fill early.

This section brings together every car park across the county in one place, from beachside pay and display to town centre multi storeys and Park and Ride sites, so you can check space, price and location before you set off rather than after you arrive. Use the map below to find car parks near where you are heading, then read the full guide for each location in the list below for details on charges, opening times, and how easy it is to get from the car park to your destination.

Parking guides by area

North Cornwall

Boscastle The best places to park in Boscastle Visiting Boscastle? Don't get stuck on the steep hill. Our essential parking guide covers the main Cobweb Car Park, overflow options for…
Bude The best places to park in Bude Parking in Bude is generally easier than in St Ives or Padstow because the town is more open and spread out. However,…
Newquay The best places to park in Newquay Heading to the surf capital of the UK? Parking in Newquay can be tricky if you don't know the zones. Our complete…
Padstow The best places to park in Padstow Driving to Padstow? Avoid the harbour traffic jams with our guide to the best places to park. We cover the convenient Park…
Polzeath The best places to park in Polzeath Heading to Polzeath for the surf? Our essential parking guide explains the unique "tidal parking" rules on the beach, the best cliff-top…
Port Isaac The best places to park in Port Isaac Visiting the home of Doc Martin? Our essential parking guide to Port Isaac covers the two main car parks at the top…
Rock The best places to park in Rock Heading to Rock for the ferry or the beach? Our essential parking guide covers the main Rock Quarry car park, the seasonal…
St Agnes The best places to park in St Agnes Parking in St Agnes requires a bit of strategy because the village and the beach are separated by a long, steep hill.…
St Merryn The best places to park in St Merryn Exploring St Merryn's "Seven Bays"? Our essential parking guide covers every spot from the large car park at Harlyn Bay to the…
Tintagel The best places to park in Tintagel Planning a trip to King Arthur's castle? Our complete parking guide to Tintagel covers the main village car parks, the best spots…

South Cornwall

Charlestown The best places to park in Charlestown Visiting the Poldark harbour? Our essential parking guide to Charlestown covers the main car park on Barkhouse Lane, the rules for the…
Falmouth The best places to park in Falmouth Heading to Falmouth? Don't get caught in the one-way system. Our complete parking guide covers the best spots for the National Maritime…
Fowey The best places to park in Fowey Planning a visit to the picturesque harbour town of Fowey? Navigate the narrow streets and steep hills with ease using our essential…
Looe The best places to park in Looe Heading to Looe? Our essential parking guide covers the massive Millpool car park, the best spots for East Looe beach, and where…
Mevagissey The best places to park in Mevagissey Mevagissey is famous for its twin harbour and its incredibly tight one-way system. If you are visiting for the day, the best…
Par The best places to park in Par Heading to Par Sands? Our essential parking guide covers the massive Par Beach car park (perfect for dog walkers), the commuter options…
Polkerris The best places to park in Polkerris Heading to the hidden gem of Polkerris? Avoid the single-track chaos with our essential parking guide. We cover the main village car…
Polperro The best places to park in Polperro Heading to the historic fishing village of Polperro? Don't get caught out by the strict no-entry zones. Our essential parking guide covers…
Polruan The best places to park in Polruan Heading to Polruan? Avoid the infamous narrow streets with our essential parking guide. We cover the main car park at St Saviour's…
Roseland Peninsula The best places to park on the Roseland Peninsula The Roseland Peninsula is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and unlike the north coast, it feels quieter and more relaxed.…
St Austell The best places to park in St Austell Heading to St Austell for the shops or the cinema? Our essential parking guide covers the main Priory Car Park, the secure…
St Mawes The best places to park in St Mawes Heading to the Roseland Peninsula? Our essential parking guide to St Mawes covers the main long-stay car park behind the Rising Sun,…
Torpoint The best places to park in Torpoint Crossing the Tamar into Torpoint? Our essential parking guide covers the main Tamar Street car park (ideal for ferry foot passengers), the…

West Cornwall

Hayle The best places to park in Hayle Heading to Hayle for the three miles of golden sand? Our essential parking guide covers the main Foundry Square car park, the…
Marazion The best places to park in Marazion Marazion is one of the few places in Cornwall where parking is abundant, but you still need to be in the right…
Mousehole The best places to park in Mousehole Heading to the famous fishing village of Mousehole? Our essential parking guide covers the main car park at The Parade, the harbour…
Newlyn The best places to park in Newlyn Heading to the UK's busiest fishing port? Our essential parking guide to Newlyn covers the main St Peter's Hill car park (perfect…
Pendeen The best places to park in Pendeen Heading to the Tin Coast? Our essential parking guide to Pendeen covers the free Pendeen Watch lighthouse car park, the large spaces…
Penzance The best places to park in Penzance Parking in Penzance is generally stress-free. The town has a clear "Harbour" zone for visitors and a "Town Centre" zone for shoppers.…
Portreath The best places to park in Portreath Heading to Portreath for the bodyboarding or a sunset BBQ? Our essential parking guide covers the main beachfront car park, the hidden…
Redruth The best places to park in Redruth Heading to the historic mining town of Redruth? Our essential parking guide covers the main Flowerpot Chapel car park, the convenient New…
Sennen The best places to park in Sennen Heading to the surf at Sennen Cove? Our essential parking guide covers the main Beach Car Park at the bottom of the…
St Ives The best places to park in St Ives Struggling to find parking in St Ives? Our complete guide covers every Council and private car park, including postcodes, "best for" recommendations,…
St Just The best places to park in St Just Heading to the wild West? Our essential parking guide to St Just covers the free long-stay spaces at Lafrowda, the National Trust…
Truro The best places to park in Truro Heading to the cathedral city of Truro? Our essential parking guide covers the stress-free Park & Ride sites at Langarth and Tregurra,…
Zennor The best places to park in Zennor Heading to the wild coast of Zennor? Our essential parking guide covers the main Village Car Park (perfect for the Zennor Head…

Mid Cornwall

Lostwithiel The best places to park in Lostwithiel Parking in Lostwithiel is refreshingly simple. The town is compact, meaning you are never more than a five-minute walk from Fore Street.…
St Columb The best places to park in St Columb Parking in St Columb Major is generally relaxed compared to the coast. The town relies on one main long-stay car park located…
Wadebridge The best places to park in Wadebridge Heading to the Camel Trail? Our essential parking guide to Wadebridge covers the long-stay spaces at Piggy Lane (perfect for cyclists), the…

The Lizard

Coverack The best places to park in Coverack Heading to the Lizard Peninsula? Our essential parking guide to Coverack covers the main North Corner car park (and its honesty box),…
Helston The best places to park in Helston Heading to the home of the Floral Dance? Our essential parking guide to Helston covers the large long-stay spaces at Trengrouse Way,…
Mullion The best places to park in Mullion Cove Parking in Mullion depends on where you are heading. The village has its own car park off Lender Lane, close to the…
Porthleven The best places to park in Porthleven Parking in Porthleven is all about knowing which level you want to be on. The town is built around a steep valley.…
St Keverne The best places to park in St Keverne Heading to the historic village of St Keverne? Our essential parking guide covers the main parking in the Village Square (donations welcome),…
The Helford The best places to park in The Helford Heading to the Helford River? Our essential parking guide covers the main car park in Helford Village (South), the Ferry Boat Inn…
The Lizard The best places to park in The Lizard Heading to the most southerly point in Britain? Our essential parking guide to The Lizard covers the main National Trust car park…

Bodmin

Bodmin Moor The best places to park in Bodmin Moor Heading to the wild expanse of Bodmin Moor? Our essential parking guide covers the main hiking hubs at Minions (for the Hurlers)…
Launceston The best places to park Launceston Heading to the historic gateway of Launceston? My essential parking guide covers the central Westgate Street multi-storey, the cheaper long-stay spaces at…
Liskeard The best places to park in Liskeard Heading to the historic gateway of Launceston? Our essential parking guide covers the central Westgate Street multi-storey, the cheaper long-stay spaces at…

Tamar Valley

Saltash The best places to park in Saltash Heading to the Gateway of Cornwall? Our essential parking guide to Saltash covers the central Alexandra Square spaces, the convenient Belle Vue…