On 15th September 2006 Suffolk County Council provided a table containing details of the minor parking sites within the county. This can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from Here.
Suffolk County Council have parking details/links for the county on their web site.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
While reading the small print at some parks in Suffolk, was pleased to see no charges during winter months. They don't make it obvious though! (Many thanks to BD for this information, received 31 January 2008).
Babergh
On 11th December 2007 Babergh District Council confirmed that it does not have specific information for motorhomes but does have general information regarding car parks on its web site Here.
Forest Heath
Forest Heath District Council provided the following information on 12th September 2006:
1 Height restrictions at 6'9" (2 meters) operate on all car parks except the Market Square, Church Lane, Rous Road and Grosvenor Yard car parks in Newmarket.
2 Vehicles are required to park in bays
3 No provision for toilet or waste disposal
4 No specific spaces aimed at motorhomes or caravans
5 Car parks are open 24 hrs, there is no specific ban on overnight parking, however some car parks in Newmarket (Rous Road, Market square and Rookery Multi story) are restricted to a maximum stay of 3 hrs.
6 Access from the High street to Grosvenor Yard car park in Newmarket would be difficult for a caravan or motorhome, but access to the same car park via Fitzroy Street is not restricted.
Forest Heath District Council have more information regarding car parks on their web site Here.
On 13th March 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the Council provided the following information:
Forest Heath has a number of public car parks but these would be unsuitable for motorhomes due to the height barriers 6’2” in most cases. The following car parks do not currently have height barriers but they would also be unsuitable for a motorhome as they are tight for access:- Church Lane/Turner Hall/St Marys, Newmarket; Rous Road, Newmarket; Grosvenor Yard, Newmarket (access to this car park via Fitzroy Street is not restricted and is to the same car park).
Vehicles are required to park within a bay and will be subject to an excess charge notice if parked out of a bay (if you were to purchase two tickets for the vehicles and display you would not receive an excess charge notice). All the car parks in Newmarket have charges which apply – for details please see the council's web site Here.
Mildenhall, Brandon and Lakenheath do not have car park charges.
Market Square, Newmarket is expected to close the end of April/May for re-development.
We currently have no restrictions for overnight parking/sleeping/eating accept at the short stay car parks:- Rous Road and The Guineas.
The council website has location plans of the car parks at Newmarket Here. On the webpage there is a list on the right hand side of subjects covered.
Ipswich
On 22nd August 2006, Suffolk County Council reported that Ipswich Borough Council were very helpful when asked for information previously. Their Cattle Market car park (car park P3 on the online map - see below) has no height or space restrictions.
On 28th September 2006, Ipswich Borough Council provided the following information:
Information regarding Height restrictions, Requirements for parking within bay confines, overnight parking and restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances is on the council's web site. Choose the 'Car Parking Tariffs' and 'Regulations, Statistics and Other Information' options from the link given below. Some of the information is in the Parking Orders accessible from the "Regulations" page (especially Schedule 1 of the Off Street Order).
There are toilets at the Crown multi-storey car park but no toilets at any other car park site and no car park site has waste disposal facilities.
Ipswich Borough Council have no spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes and/or caravans.
Ipswich Borough Council have information regarding car parks on their web site Here.
On 27th March 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council provided the following information:
All the recorded information we have available regarding parking for motorhomes is available on the Ipswich Borough Council website (see link above).
Using the Car Parking Tariffs link will reveal a PDF file with full details of tariffs.
Using the Parking Restrictions and Regulations in on-street locations link will reveal a further PDF file with detailed information.
Overnight camping is prohibited in all of the council-owned carparks.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
1) We tend to use P&R (where possible) on our travels and I thought a link to the Ipswich P&R sites might be useful for other motorhomers. Information is on the Suffolk County Council web site Here. Although I can't see anything on the website I understand that the one at Martlesham now has height barriers. (Thanks to MC for this information, received on 26 April 2007).
2) Tesco, A14/A12 Copdock - medium vans, trailers in lorry park. Sainsburys (east) - small trailers in Homebase park. Truckstop, A14 Nacton. All have fuel & cafe. (Thanks to MK for this information, received on 28 October 2007).
Mid Suffolk
Mid Suffolk Council (new window) have provided details of their car parks.
On 10th December 2007, in response to a follow up request, Mid Suffolk Council stated "I have just re-checked the information sent to you in August 2006 and cant see that there are any changes."
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Stowmarket
1) Park at Asda but use the section opposite the store as there is more room. We managed to park our Bessacar E540 without problem. Only snag is that you have a maximum of 4 hours parking with no return but ample as it is not a large place. (Thanks to PG for this information, received on 24 July 2007).
2) Tesco - large car park; has fuel & cafe. (Thanks to MK for this information, received on 28 October 2007).
3) Tesco, Stowmarket no longer has a restaurant. It has been replaced by "Costa" coffee bar so no hot meals at discount prices. (Thanks to MK for this information, received on 22 November 2007).
St Edmundsbury
St Edmundsbury Borough Council provided the following information on 7th September 2006:
1. The following car parks have height restrictions:
Bury St Edmunds: Ram Meadow, St Andrews Street North, St Andrews Street South, Prospect Row, Parkway MSCP, Risbygate Street, Lower Baxter Street;
Haverhill: Ehringshausen Way, Town Hall.
2. Vehicles parked out of bays will be issued with excess charge notices unless they purchase 2 tickets.
3. There are toilets situated close to the Ram Meadow and St Andrews Street South car parks in Bury St Edmunds.
4. Five spaces are being created specifically for motor homes at the Ram Meadow former coach park. This work should be completed by mid September.
5. There is no ban on overnight parking but access to the St Andrews North and Parkway surface car parks is restricted at night.
6. There is no restriction caused by narrow access but the Lower Baxter Street car park is small and has limited room to manoeuvre.
Update 29 October 2006. The spaces at Ram Meadow car park are now open. See the press release on the Council's web site Here.
On 2nd April 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council provided updated information:
Motorhomes can be parked at the following off street car parks during caytime - Ram Meadow annexe in the specialist motor-home bays provided (normal charges apply); Parkway Surface car park; St Andrews; Manor House; Hardwick Heath; Bury St Edmunds. Leisure Centre, Haverhill. We allow vehicles to occupy more than one space if a pay and display ticket is purchased for each space used.
The following off street daytime car parks are height restricted: Cattle Market; Olding Road, Parkway MSCP, main Ram Meadow site; Bury St Edmunds Annexe to Town Hall car park and Meadow car park Haverhill.
The following sites we would advise against motorhome use because of restricted space: Robert Boby Way; Lower Baxter Street; Bury St Ehringhausen Way, Haverhill.
The following site is short stay restricted - Lower Downs Slade, Haverhill.
We are happy for Motomomes to stay for one night only in the specialist motor-home bays at the Ram Meadow annexe site but do not allow sleeping or eating outside the vehicle, all sleeping/eating must be contained within the vehicle.
Public toilets near car parks: Ram Meadow (7am to 6pm); Bus Station (8am to 6pm); Hardwick Heath (8.30 till dusk); Nelson Road (M,T,Thur,Fri 7.30 to 6pm; Weds, Sat 7am to 60m; Sun Sam to 5pm) Haverhill; Jubilee Walk, (M,T,W 8am to 7pm; Th, Fri 8am to 8pm; Sat 8am to 6pm; Sun 9am to 3pm).
St Edmundsbury Borough Council have more information regarding car parks on their web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Bury St Edmunds
Tescos - crowded, no large vans. Sainsburys - usually room for vans, not trailers (Lorry park 1/4 mile). Both supermarkets have fuel & cafe. (Thanks to MK for this information, received on 28 October 2007).
Suffolk Coast
Suffolk Coastal District Council initially responded to the original request for information on 29th August 2006 and subsequently (on 13th March 2007) provided a spreadsheet listing car parks in Felixstowe together with grid references and whether or not they can be used by motorhomes.
On 4th March 2008, the council provided updated information without waiting to be asked - well done Suffolk Coastal Council:
Following our correspondence last year I thought I'd make you aware of some changes to parking in our district for you to pass on to your members should you so wish.
Here is a link to our website and the area that explains the changes to permitted vehicles and charges effective 1 April 2008.
You'll see there is a column in the schedule that states whether motorhomes are permitted and if so, what charges apply. There are also maps of all the car parks (charged and free) so may be helpful.
Suffolk Coastal District Council have further information regarding car parking on their web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Aldeburgh
1) We did successfully stay in a council car park at Thorpeness N52 10' 39.1" E1 30' 49.6" in Suffolk Coastal by careful selection of the starting time as only a set number of hours were allowed.
Nearby at Sizewell N52 12'31.4" E1 37' 16.8" it is also OK to stay in a car park right on the sea front complete with public toilet. But there is the
noise of the power station right next door.
Aldeburgh was healthier at Slaughden quay N52 8' 25.3" E1 35' 55.3" between the sea and the river where there were many motorhomes lined up at no charge and again a public toilet nearby.
(Thanks to HG for this information, received on 18 March 2007).
2) Parking at Aldeburgh on the sea wall near the boatyard is a superb base to visit the town, but you do need to get there early, as the places seem to fill quickly on sunny days, even at this time of year. (Thanks to MO for this information, received on 1 May 2008).
Bawdsey
Position 52 0 30 N 1 25 56 E; 20-ish spaces; No height restriction; Bays not marked; Free Parking. (Thanks to DO for this information, received on 5 November 2007).
Bawdsey Quay
Position 51 59 33 N 1 23 45 E; ********Height restriction of 2.3m******; Bays not marked; Free Parking. (Thanks to DO for this information, received on 5 November 2007).
Felixstowe
1) Location 51.56.38.8 N, 1.19.48.8 E (midway between the pier and Landguard Nature Reserve - not to be confused with the parking further south at Landguard Fort (of which I do not have any experience, but will investigate next time I'm in Felixstowe)). Free Parking (out of season) and no indication of charges in season. There are no height restrictions, about 60 places and Public Toilets. This is the car park on the spreadsheet supplied by the council which is labelled "Landguard (Manor Terrace)". (Thanks to DO for this information, received on 27 October 2007). Update from DO on 7 November 2007 - there is a weight restriction of 3.5 tons.
2) Landguard Nature Reserve 51 56 22.4 N 1 19 20.4 E; No height restriction; Capacity 10-ish; Bays are not defined; Parking free. (Thanks to DO for this information, received on 7 November 2007).
3) Felixstowe Ferry. Map Co-ordinates 632925E 237631N (N51:59:18 E1:23:28). Located Town side of Golf Course and Club House. 3.5 ton limit. Free winter, small cost summer (£3-4). Masses of room to play/park. Fantastic Sea Views 50 yards from beach. Walk to Felistowe Ferry complete with Cafe & Two Pubs even take a trip to Bawsdey. Watch kite surfers. Officially no overnight parking. No height barriers. (Thanks to AJP for this information, received on 28 February 2008).
4) An update to the footnote about Manor Terrace and Clifflands carparks in Felixstowe. Having looked at the Suffolk Council Information, I decided to go and look at each of the carparks mentioned as allowing motorhomes to park. I found that in all cases there was a weight restriction of 3.5 tons. I then went to the Tourist Information Office and asked if they knew of anywhere it was possible to park our van - weighing 5 tons. They were very helpful and called the council representative. He arrived and took all the relevant information and promised to get in touch when he knew more.
Yesterday I was contacted by an officer (MG) who had really done his homework - he had checked what a motorhome was defined as and what a van registered as a Private Heavy Goods actually was. He told me that although we do weigh more than the limit on the board, we could park at both of the above carparks. I am delighted to endorse your pat on the back for Suffolk Coastal District and for MG and the ladies of the Tourist Information Board for their efforts on my behalf. I hope that this information will be of help to those members who like us are over the stated weight limit of these carparks. The ban on overnight parking is still in place. (Thanks to RS for this information, received on 30 April 2008).
Orford
We found a large park on the left hand side as you approach the quay. It's mostly sectioned off with white lines, but there is a large area to the rear which is unlined and maybe meant for coaches. However, there is no indication either as you enter this area, or where you buy your ticket from that this is the case and several motorhomes were parked here in plenty of space. (Thanks to MO for this information, received on 1 May 2008).
Woodbridge
1) The Station Road car park is the only one that allows motorhomes, though the spaces are small and you may overhang into the roadway if you have a coachbuilt. (Thanks to TW for providing this information on 7 February 2007 - "Personally 'tested' within the last 3 years. Like anything else, changes may have taken place since my visit and charges WILL have risen!").
2) Station Road Car Park, as previously mentioned, which is on the left of the main road through the town and is immediately after Adnams Wine Cellar & Kitchen Store. Go through on the RHS and through to the section at the back of the community centre. On the RHS of this area you can overhang onto the grass and the bays are quite wide. We have a Bessacar E540 and managed to park in one bay this way. They welcome motorhomes and parking is £1 for 4 hours or £1.50 all day, vehicles up to 3500kg only. Public loos there and only minutes from the town centre. Lovely Restaurant called Waterside next to the Old Mill. (Thanks to PG for providing this information on 24 July 2007).
3) We easily found the Station Car Park, but it was very busy and we didn't notice the larger bays mentioned. Manouvering wouldn't have been easy in the confined space. However, if you don't mind walking a short distance, (5 minutes ?), the adjoining village of Melton has a very wide main street with no restrictions in parking apart from nearer to the traffic lights in Woodbridge. (Thanks to MO for this information, received on 1 May 2008).
Shingle Street
Position 52 2 03 N 1 27 06 E; 10-ish spaces; No height restriction; Bays not marked; Free Parking. (Thanks to DO for this information, received on 5 November 2007).
Sutton Heath South
Position 52 4 40 N 1 21 52 E; No height restriction; Bays not marked; Free Parking. (Thanks to DO for this information, received on 5 November 2007).
Waveney
Waveney District Council provided the following information on 7th September 2006:
1. The only car park with height restrictions is the North Denes Car Park in Lowestoft.
2. There is no requirement for motorists to purchase two tickets for vehicles that overhang the bay. The Traffic Road Order states all vehicles must park within marked bays. There is discretion used for larger vehicles, like motor homes. HGV's are not permitted to park on our car parks except for the Belvedere Road Car Park in Lowestoft and Quay North Car Park in Beccles. Larger spaces are available.
3. There are no provisions for toilet and waste disposal within the car parks.
4. No provision specifically for motor homes and caravans. Only HGV parking - see section 2.
5. There is a ban on over night parking on all our car parks including free sites, except for those covered above in section 2.
6. Any large vehicle trying to negotiate into our car parks could have trouble getting on or off the car park except for those mentioned above in section 2.
On 11th March 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council confirmed that the information is still current.
Waveney District Council have further information regarding car parking on their web site Here.
Return to Motorhome Friendly and Unfriendly Parking home page.
Last updated: 8 May 2008