Ashford
On 25th August 2006, Ashford Borough Council provided a schedule of public car parks, which can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from here.
The council also provided the following information:
1. Height Restrictions. Please refer to the schedule of car parks.
2. Requirement for parking in bay confines. Please refer to the Schedule. We do not have a facility allowing long vehicles to park across two bays if two tickets are purchased.
3. Toilet and Waste disposal facilities. Toilet facilities are provided in car parks numbered 8, 10, 12, 16, and 18 on the schedule. Waste disposal facilities are not provided in any car park.
4. Overnight Parking. Please refer to the schedule. Generally speaking vehicles may remain for a maximum period of 23 hours except in car park numbers 1 & 3.
5. Parking provisions for motorhomes and caravans. None of the Council's car parks provides specifically for motorhomes or caravans, but they can be accommodated in car park number 6. Please note however that the driver and passengers may not remain with the vehicle between 00:01 hours and 06:00 hours.
6. Restricted access. Car parks numbered 1 to 13 (town centre parking areas and 15 & 18 (village car parks) would present difficult driving conditions for large vehicles or vehicles towing caravans.
On 14th December 2007, in response to a follow-up request, Ashford Borough Council provided the following update:
1) Technically only one car park in Ashford can accommodate motor homes, this is Henwood Parking Area, Ashford. The area accepts and provides parking accommodation for motor vehicles which: a) exceed 3.5 tonnes but do not exceed 26 tonnes gross maximum weight & b) do not exceed 3.5 tonnes.
2) Details of all other car parks in the Borough of Ashford are detailed on the Councils website (see link below). The website provides information about charging periods, height and weight restrictions and parking charges. Other than Henwood parking area , none provide parking bays of sufficient size to accommodate vehicles of usual motor home size.
Ashford Borough Council have further details of council car parks on their web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Ashford
Ashford was impossible. We could just not find anywhere to park that was suitable. (Thanks very much to RB for this information, received 25 February 2007).
Smallhythe Place (National Trust property)
Parking is no problem - you can park on the roadside car park - or if that is full up at the Vineyard. Received July 2006. (Anon)
Canterbury
On 29th August 2006 Canterbury City Council provided the following information:
We are particularly proud of facilities provided at our New Dover Road Park and Ride where dedicated parking for motorhomes with toilet and other waste disposal and fresh water facilities are provided.
Generally, our car parks are marked out with bays that are min. 2.4m x 4.8m, but provision is made in Canterbury at the St Radigund's car park and the Kingsmead coach park for larger vehicles as it is at William Street car park in Herne Bay and Tankerton Road car park in Whitstable.
There is a section on the website that deals with Motor Caravans Here.
Canterbury Council also have further parking details on their web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
1) Kingsmead Coach park. Free toilet drop and water point. (Thanks to SL for providing this information on 19 July 2006).
2) I would just like to say that parking for motorhomes in the Kingsmead Coach Park at Canterbury is excellent – and free to blue badge holders. There is a level and attractive river-side walk to the city centre. (Thanks very much to RB for this information, received 25 February 2007).
3) New Dover Road Park & Ride. Toilet empty and water, entry closes 10pm to 6am. (Thanks to SL for providing this information on 19 July 2006).
4) St Radigund's Car Park. Up to 5.5 metres. (Thanks to SL for providing this information on 19 July 2006).
5) Drivers of motor caravans wishing to visit the City Centre may park in a reserved area at New Dover Road Park & Ride car park to use the Park and Ride service. Minibuses and motor caravans not exceeding 5.5metres (18'0") may park during the day in St Radigund's Car Park or Kingsmead Coach Park which has a free toilet drop and water point. Larger vehicles may only use Kingsmead Coach Park. All other car parks either prohibit motorcaravans or have height barriers. This information obtained July 2000. (Anon)
6) Further to the information you already supply re Canterbury Park and Ride I have spoken to the Council and have been told that overnight parking is allowed and costs just £2 for 24 hours, including use of the park and ride buses. They are happy for you to stay for a few nights but not long term. (Thanks to JB for providing this information on 29 October 2007).
Dartford
On 28th September 2006 Dartford Borough Council provided a spreadsheet of car park details, which can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from here.
The council also provided the following information:
None of our car parks provide any spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes and/or caravans.
Car parks provided on the Council’s Housing estates are for the use of local residents. The provisions in the Council’s tenancy conditions clearly state that tenants should not park any motor vehicle or trailer anywhere on the leased property or the estate without the written agreement of the Council, and that sleeping camping or cooking is not permissible. The regulations that apply to the Council’s remaining car parks clearly state that it is an offence for a vehicle or any part of a parking place to be used for the purpose of (a) Sleeping: or (b) Camping: or (c) Cooking.
Update 11 July 2007:
Some time after the initial reply from Dartford Borough Council above it came to my notice that many other vehicles (e.g. large 4x4s) weigh in excess of 1524kg (some of the largest 4x4s even being heavier than many motorhomes). A further request for information was sent to the council asking for clarification of its weight limit policy. In response the council stated "The Parking Attendants are not distributed any information to enable them to judge whether or not a particular vehicle should be issued with a PCN for exceeding the weight limit." The council subsequently further clarified its stance with the statement "At present we do not enforce the weight limit".
Dover
Dover District Council provided the following information on 22nd August 2006:
Thank you for your request regarding motorhome parking in the District.I can confirm the all Dover district car parks carry a size restriction, and all vehicles must park within the confines of the marked bays. Restrictions are as follows: Length not to exceed 5.55 metres incuding any towbar; Height not to exceed 2.5 metres incuding any roof rack or luggage box; Width not to exceed 2.10 metres excluding wing mirrors.
We have a height restriction barrier at Camden Crescent car park in Dover.
Vehicles must park wholly within marked bays
None of our car parks have waste disposal facilities
There are no spaces in our car parks aimed at motorhomes or caravans and we expressly forbid camping overnight in our car parks. There are several good campsites in the area that cater for these vehicles.
We permit overnight parking of vehicles that are within our size restrictions, but we do not permit sleeping in those vehicles.
All our car parks are accessible by vehicles within our size limits.
On 10th December 2007, in response to a follow up request, Dover Council stated "The situation is unchanged since 2006. We do not permit motorhomes to use multiple bays in our car parks, and the restrictions on size are as follows :- No longer than 5.5 metres inc tow bar; No higher than 2.5 metres inc roof rack or luggage box; No wider than 2.1 metres excluding wing mirrors. Vehicles must be parked wholly within a marked bay. I regret that we do not permit sleeping or eating in any of our car parks, but there are plenty of campsites in the area."
Dover District Council have parking details on their web site.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
1) Eastern Docks. Staff/permit holders CP. May be possible to pre-book?? (Thanks to SL for providing this information on 19 July 2006).
2) Thank you for your enquiry regarding car parking at Dover Eastern Docks, Ferry Terminal for a Minibus. We have a multi-storey car park located at the terminal, within short walking distance from the Travel Centre, however this park has a height restriction of 2 m. For overheight vehicles we allow parking in our "Staff & Permit holders car park", adjacent to the multi-storey, all car parks are accessible 24hrs a day. To get to this car park, simply follow the signage for the multi storey, and the park is located on the left hand side, just before the entrance to the Multi storey. The charge for 6 to 12hrs is £8.00 and 12 to 24hrs is £10.00. If not pre-booking parking is on a "Pay & Display" basis, tickets are obtained from the "PayStation" in the centre of the car park. You will need to display this ticket in your vehicle whilst away. All our public car parks are accredited under the Park Mark, Safer Parking Award. You can make a reservation by phoning the Port of Dover Information Office on 01304 241427 - open from 0600 - 2130hrs daily. For credit card reservations full payment is taken at the time of booking, once booked there is a £3.00 administration charge should you cancel your parking. Where possible, please allow 5 working days for us to mail your parking authorisation and your receipt. Received July 2006. (Anon)
3) Just returned from a trip to Dover, Deal and Sandwich in Kent, and confirm that they are totally motorhome unfriendly. There is absolutely nowhere to park. All carparks say no coaches, trailers, caravans or vans/lorries, so even if you can fit into a space you are parking illegally. It seems amazing that places so close to the ferry ports through which many foreign visitors come can be so short sighted. Incidentally, there was plenty of available space in car parks in the above, it seemed simply that they didn't want motor home visitors. (Thanks to BD for this information, received 5 July 2007).
4) The information above regarding Dover, Deal and Sandwich is not completely accurate although they are rather unfriendly towards motorhomes.
Dover... has on street metered parking designated for caravans/motorhomes on the western harbour seafront at the speedferry end, a 100yd length only of Waterloo Crescent.
Deal... parking on street and free is possible on the western seafront near and beyond the yacht club on The Beach (road) and Kingsdown Road going towards Walmer castle. A 20 minute thoroughly enjoyable walk into the town centre.
Sandwich... unfortunately parking is possible only in the Co-op car park and I guess for limited time and purpose only.
(Thanks to DP for this information, received 9 August 2007).
Gravesham
On 31st October 2006 Gravesham Borough Council provided the following information:
There are currently no height restrictions in any of the council’s pay and display car parks.
A vehicle is to be parked within the bay markings and it is one ticket per bay and you cannot purchase two tickets if you occupy two bays.
There is no provision of toilet or waste facilities.
There are no spaces aimed at motor homes or caravans.
Some motor homes would find it difficult to access or car parks as they are not designed for large vehicles.
Gravesham Borough Council have further details of car parks on their web site Here.
Maidstone
Maidstone Borough Council provided the following information on 11th September 2006:
1. A majority of car parks have a height restriction of 2.2 metres.
2. Vehicles using the Council's car parks are required to ensure that they are parked within the bay markings. I regret we are unable to accept multiple purchase of pay & display tickets to facilitate parking outside bays, as vehicle overhang often creates obstruction and causes risk to pedestrians.
3. Our King Street and Lockmeadow car parks are situated close to public toilet facilities; however no waste disposal facilities are available within our car parks.
4. Maidstone Borough Council have not specifically identified bays suitable for motorhome vehicles or caravans, however bays are marked to enable good access for larger vehicles. Approximate bay sizes are: Width between 1.8m and 2.7m and Length between 4.5m and 6.6m.
5. A one pound charge is made for overnight parking within our car parks between 18:30hrs and 08:00hrs.
6. All Pay & Display car parks have good access.
On 23rd April 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council confirmed that the above information was still accurate, with the exception that the overnight charge is now £1.50, and added the following:
Unfortunately the parking places order restricts multiple-bay parking, however, coach/motorhome parking is available by prior arrangement within our Sittingbourne Road long stay car park. Within all other Pay & Display car parks there are no weight limits, provided the vehicle is able to park within the bay markings.
Maidstone Borough Council have parking details on their web site Here and Park & Ride details Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
(Thanks very much to SH for this information, received 5 November 2007). The current situation is as follows:
Sittingbourne Road Park & Ride (Off A249 on North side of town). Parking for motor homes outside the barriers, provided occupants are intending to use the P&R. Can take the largest motor homes. From M20 Junction 7, follow signs via A249 towards Maidstone Town centre. At 1st & 2nd roundabouts turn right. Then P&R straight ahead in the old Sittingbourne Road.
London Road Park & Ride (Off A20 on West side of town). Attendant will open height barrier if necessary. From M20 Junction 5, keep in left lane. At 1st roundabout (traffic light controlled) turn left (East) onto A20 (London Road) towards Maidstone Town centre. At next traffic lights keep in right lane and turn right into Beaver Road. P&R straight ahead.
Willington Street Park & Ride (Off A20 on East side of town). Attendant will open height barrier if necessary, but may be away from office, checking site. Be patient and do not block access road for other vehicles. From M20 Junction 8, follow A20 (Ashford Road) towards Maidstone. At 1st traffic lights turn left into Willington Street; P&R immediately on right. From A274 (Sutton Road) approaching Maidstone from the South, turn right at 1st traffic lights into Willington Street and follow signs. P&R on left just before next traffic lights.
Wheeler Street car park (very close to Town centre). Suitable for smaller motor homes which can fit within normal car sized spaces. No height barrier. From M20 Junction 6, follow A229 towards town centre. At 2nd roundabout (after clearing the entire M20/A229 intersection complex), take 1st exit. At next roundabout (within 100yds of 1st roundabout), take 2nd exit. At mini-roundabout, turn right. At 2nd set of traffic lights, turn right into Wheeler Street. Car park on right just before 'T' junction.
College Road car park (right in Town centre). Suitable for smaller motor homes which can fit within normal car sized spaces. No height barrier. From A229, approaching Maidstone from the South, follow road into Sheals Crescent which is One Way. Keep in the offside lane. Road name changes to College Road shortly before the 2nd set of traffic lights (j/w Knightrider Street). Just after the lights a slightly tricky right turn into car park entrance road.
All other Council car parks have height barriers.
Medway
On 11th September 2006 Medway Council provided electronic copies of their parking booklet "Where Are The Car Parks in Medway" and car park location plans. These can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from here and here.
The Council also provided the following information:
1. Car parks with height restrictions are marked with an * in the booklet Where are the car parks in Medway.
2. The only facility for Oversized\HGV parking is Whiffens Avenue car park in Chatham (No 12 on the map). Cost is £2.70 for 0-24hrs. Maximum period of continous parking is 5 days. There is also a Coach Park in Rochester (Number 33 on the map). Free of charge.
3. The nearest toilets are indicated on the maps (see above).
There are no spaces in the car parks aimed at motorhomes or caravans.
5. Overnight ban for vehicles of 5 tons or more.
6. Car parks marked with a W in the booklet Where are the car parks in Medway have narrow entrances.
On 27th March 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council provided the following information:
Motor homes are able to park for the maximum time stated on the tariff board in Whiffens Avenue car park, Chatham in the oversized bays providing they can fit in that bay, therefore use of multiple bays is not permitted. Although a motor home can be parked in this car park, persons are required to leave the vehicle and therefore this does not mean sleeping/eating in the vehicle is permitted.
All other off-street areas in Medway are for PLG use only and also many of the car parks have height barriers.
I can confirm that there are no areas within Medway that motor homes are able to park overnight. It clearly states in the Medway Council (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2003, Article 7 (5e) that ‘no person: shall use any part of a parking place left within that parking place for sleeping, camping, eating, cooking or for the servicing or washing of a vehicle or part therefore other than is reasonable necessary to enable that vehicle to depart form that parking place’.
Medway Council have further details of car parks on their web site Here.
Sevenoaks
On 10th December 2007, in response to a follow up request, Sevenoaks Council stated "Our information remains unchanged, please refer to our web site."
Sevenoaks District Council have parking details on their web site Here.
Shepway
Shepway District Council provided the following information on 2nd October 2006:
We currently have seven car parks with height restrictions: Tram Road Car Park, 2 metres; Rotunda Car Park, 2 metres; Leas Cliff Hall Car Park, 2 metres; Martello Car Park, 2.2 metres; High Knocke Car Park, 2.2 metres; West Street Car Park, 2 metres; Greatstone Car Park, 2.5 metres.
We are working on making some of our bays bigger to fit large vehicles. At the moment our Traffic Regulation Order for off street parking states, “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not park a motor vehicle wholly or partly outside a parking bay nor cause any obstruction”. The bays cannot accommodate vehicles over 6 feet. However, drivers of large vehicles can be allowed to buy tickets and park on coach bays in Marine Parade, Dymchurch and Coast Drive Car Park.
There is no provision of toilet or waste disposal facilities.
There is no provision of spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes and/or caravans.
Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking. The Traffic Regulation Order states, "No person shall use any part of a parking place or any motor vehicle or caravan left in a parking place: a. For sleeping or camping purposes; b. For eating or cooking purposes; c. For the purpose of servicing or washing any motor vehicle; d. To wash any part of his person.
There are no restricted access caused by narrow roads or entrances.
Shepway District Council have further parking details on their web site Here.
Swale
Swale Borough Council provided the following information on 29th August 2006:
No height restrictions within any Swale Borough Council car parks.
Our Off Street Parking Places Order states that a vehicle must be clearly parked within the limits of a bay space.
Toilets may be found in the following pay & display car parks: Central Avenue Car Park & The Forum Car Park in Sittingbourne; Central 1 Car Park in Faversham and Rose Street & Bridge Road Car Parks in Sheerness. No waste disposal facilities.
No specific places aimed at caravans/motorhomes. Our Off Street Parking Places Order states that our car parks are not for vehicles exceeding 1.5 tonnes.
All car parks are chargeable from 8am - 6pm. Our Off Street Parking Places Order clearly states that no vehicle may be left in a parking place for sleeping and/or camping purposes.
We currently have two car parks which have restricted access due to width barriers: Queens Hall Car Park in Faversham and Cockleshell Walk Car Park in Sittingbourne.
Swale Borough Council have further parking details on their web site Here.
On 7th January 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the Council provided the following information:
1) Motorhomes may use multiple bays within car parks, but the relevant amount of pay and display tickets must be displayed depending on the amount of parking bays being used by the individual size of the motorhome.
2) We have no height restrictions on any car parks within the Swale area, but weight is applicable within all car parks and vehicles may not exceed the current weight of 1.5 tonnes.
3) Unfortunately our Off Street Orders does not allow for any vehicle to be left overnight for the purposes of sleeping/ eating purposes
Thanet
The following information was received from Thanet District Council on 29th November 2006:
The details that you have requested are as follows:-
Vere Road Car Park, Broadstairs; Joss Bay Car Park, Broadstairs; Rendezvous Car Park, Margate; Minnis Bay Car Park, Birchington.
All of the above car parks that can accommodate motorhomes and have no height restrictions.
There are no confines within these car parks.
All of the above car parks have bins within and have toilet facilities except Rendezvous Car Park, Margate.
Rendezvous and Vere Road allow overnight parking in one period of 24 hours only.
None have restricted access.
Thanet District Council have parking details on their web site Here.
Tonbridge & Malling
On 11th January 2008, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council confirmed that the following information, originally supplied on 24th August 2006, had not changed:
With exception of one Car Park that serves a local supermarket that requires access for regular deliveries (Details here), all the Council's Car Parks are controlled by height barriers and regretfully have no facilities for motorhomes/caravans. There is no authorised overnight parking in any of these.
Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council have further parking details on their web site Here.
Tunbridge Wells
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council provided the following information on 27th September 2006:
Height restrictions:
Car Parks in Tunbridge Wells, in or near the town centre. (The car parks highlighted in dark red have toilet facilities nearby but not waste disposal):
1. Beech Street 6'6" (Pay and Display)
2. Camden Road 6'6" (Pay and Display)
3. Crescent Road 6'6" (Multi Storey car park Pay and Display)
4. Great Hall 6'6" (Multi Storey car park Pay and Display)
5. John Street 6'6" (Free)
6. Linden Park Road 6'6" (Height Restriction on Lower Floor only. Two level multi storey car park Pay and Display)
7. Little Mount Sion (No height restriction, Pay and Display)
8. Meadow Road 6'6" (Multi Storey car park Pay and Display)
9. Mount Pleasant Avenue ((No height restriction Pay and Display open weekends only)
10. Torrington 6'6" (Multi Storey car park Pay and Display)
11. Town Hall Yard 6'6" (Multi Storey car park Pay and Display weekends only)
12. Royal Victoria Place 6'8" (Multi Storey car park Pay and Display)
13. Union House (No height restriction)
Car Parks near to Southborough north of Tunbridge Wells:
1. Bidborough (No height restriction, Free)
2. High Brooms 6'6" (Free).
3. Pennignton 6'6" (Free)
4. Yew Tree Road 6'6" (Free)
Car Parks in surrounding villages in the borough:
1. Brenchley (No height restriction, Free)
2. Paddock Wood East (No height restriction, Pay and Display)
3. Paddock Wood West 6'6" (Pay and Display)
4. Jockey Lane (Cranbrook) (No height restriction, Free)
5. Regal (Cranbrook) (No height restriction, Free)
6. Tanyard (Cranbrook) (No height restriction, Free)
7. Goudhurst (No height restriction, Free)
8. Fowlers Park (Hawkhurst) 6'6" (Free)
9. North Grove (Hawkhurst) 6'6" (Free)
If it is likely that a vehicle would overhang a bay into another, check with the Council before parking. It may be possible to make an additional payment and leave a clear note for the benefit of the Parking Attendant in order to avoid a Penalty Charge Notice.
Overnight parking is allowed in all our car parks but staying for longer than 24 hours is not permitted.
On 16th April 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council confirmed that the above information was still accurate. The council also stated: Unfortunately our car parks are not suitable for some of the larger motorhomes. However, if people wish to visit the town centre and have difficulty in parking then please feel free to contact us in advance to make alternative arrangements.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council have further parking details on their web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Sissinghurst (National Trust property)
You will be able to park your motor caravan without any problems for your visit to Sissinghurst - but you wouldn't be able to park overnight Received July 2006. (Anon).
Return to Motorhome Friendly and Unfriendly Parking home page.
Last updated: 23 April 2008