Looking for the best place to park in Banbury? Whether you’re nipping into Castle Quay, commuting from Banbury station or hunting for free evening parking, this complete guide covers every option – council car parks, private car parks, Blue Badge parking, EV charging and more.
Banbury town centre has plenty of parking – but some spots offer much better value.
Quick links
- Quick answer: where to park in Banbury
- Free parking in Banbury
- Banbury council car parks & charges
- Castle Quay parking
- Banbury train station parking
- Blue Badge & EV parking
- Supermarket & short-visit parking
- Parking permits & controlled zones
- Tips to avoid parking fines
- Banbury parking FAQs
Quick answer: where to park in Banbury today
Short on time? Here’s the quick guide for parking in Banbury:
- Best for shopping: Castle Quay South or North 1 car parks.
- Closest to Market Place / Banbury Cross: Market Place (Ultra-Short Stay), Calthorpe Street, North Bar, Windsor Street.
- Best long-stay: Bolton Road, Upper Windsor Street, Cherwell Drive.
- For train travel: Banbury Station multi-storey or Banbury East car park.
- Free parking times: Most council car parks are free after 6pm.
- Blue Badge: Free in council car parks within the signed maximum stay.
Prices can change. Always check the tariff board before paying.
Free parking in Banbury
Most Banbury council and Castle Quay car parks are free after 6pm.
Free evening parking (after 6pm)
Most Cherwell District Council car parks charge 8am–6pm and are completely free in the evening.
- Bolton Road (Long Stay)
- North Bar (West)
- Upper Windsor Street
- Cherwell Drive
- Market Place
On Sundays & Bank Holidays, daytime charges often still apply, but evenings remain free.
Free parking at Castle Quay (evenings)
- Free parking from 6pm–7am.
- Usually a low-cost all-day Sunday/Bank Holiday rate.
Ideal for cinema trips, meals, or evening events at Lock29 or the Waterfront.
Other free parking options
- Residential streets (check for permit-only zones).
- Supermarkets with limited free time (1.5–3 hrs, strict ANPR monitoring).
- Retail parks – check maximum stay and “no leaving site” rules.
Banbury council car parks & charges
Banbury council car parks include ultra-short stay, short-stay and long-stay options.
Cherwell District Council operates several town-centre car parks with straightforward tariffs. Most accept cash and offer pay-by-phone options.
Typical tariffs (guide only)
Ultra-short stay – Market Place
- Designed for quick stops (30 mins–1 hr).
- No return rules often apply.
- Free after 6pm.
Long-stay car parks
Best for workers and all-day visitors.
- Bolton Road
- Upper Windsor Street
- North Bar (West)
- Cherwell Drive
Generally a capped day rate until 6pm + free evenings.
Castle Quay shopping centre parking
Castle Quay car parks are popular for shopping and leisure.
Two main multi-storey car parks:
- South car park – closest to main shopping, Lock29, town centre.
- North 1 car park – ideal for The Light cinema and restaurants.
Castle Quay tariff overview
- Free 6pm–7am.
- Low hourly weekday rates.
- Cheap all-day Sunday rate.
- EV charging available (North 1).
Banbury station parking
Banbury Station has large multi-storey car parks with peak and off-peak tariffs.
Main Banbury Station multi-storey
- Open 24/7.
- Daily tariffs for rail users.
- Cheaper weekends.
- Weekly, monthly & annual season tickets available.
Banbury East station car park
Additional car park with similar tariff structure and season ticket options.
Check apps or signage for updated pricing.
Blue Badge & EV parking
Blue Badge parking
Blue Badge holders typically park free in council car parks within the maximum stay.
- Market Place – close disabled bays.
- Bolton Road – central location.
- Most long-stay car parks offer Blue Badge spaces.
EV charging
- Upper Windsor Street – council charging points.
- Castle Quay North 1 – EV bays available.
- Various public chargers around Banbury.
Supermarket & short-visit parking
Banbury supermarkets and retail parks often provide time-limited free parking (usually 1.5–3 hours). Be aware:
- ANPR cameras monitor entry/exit strictly.
- Some sites enforce “no leaving site” rules.
- Overstaying can result in private parking charges.
Best used only for shopping, not for town-centre visits.
Parking permits & controlled zones
Some residential streets near the centre require resident permits:
- Restrictions usually apply during daytime hours.
- Visitor permits may be needed.
- Non-permit parking risks a fine.
For all-day parking, long-stay car parks are safer.
Tips to avoid parking fines
- Always read the tariff board carefully.
- Set a reminder to avoid overstaying.
- Remember: council charges apply 8am–6pm.
- Market Place has strict max-stay + no-return rules.
- Private car parks enforce time limits with ANPR.
- Double-check location codes when using pay-by-phone apps.
Banbury parking FAQs
Is there free parking in Banbury?
Yes – most council car parks are free after 6pm. Castle Quay also offers free evening parking and cheap Sunday rates. Blue Badge holders generally park free in council car parks.
Where is the best place to park in Banbury?
For shopping, Castle Quay South/North 1. For long-stay, Bolton Road, Upper Windsor Street and Cherwell Drive. For quick stops, Market Place.
How much does parking cost?
Council car parks offer low hourly rates and all-day caps. Castle Quay prices are similar. Station parking costs more due to rail-user tariffs.
Is Banbury station parking free?
No – station parking is paid 24/7 with peak, off-peak and season ticket pricing.