This article was updated in September 2023
Free and Paid Parking in Brighton
Table of Contents
While ParkingScout takes every step to ensure that the parking information provided is accurate at the time of writing, parking prices and availability change with time. ParkingScout accepts no responsibility for any fines or tickets, or loss of or damage to property as a result of using our website.
Happy parking!
Free Parking Zones in Brighton
Brighton is split into Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs). These are used to make it easier for residents and workers to find parking near their houses or places of work. CPZs operate during particular hours, which are specified on signs near the roads in the zone – during these hours, no parking is allowed unless you hold a valid permit.
Outside of the operating hours, however, anyone can park in these areas for free – this is particularly useful if you require overnight or weekend parking. There may still be a time limit outside of the permitted hours, so remember to check the signs.
- Zone A: Preston Park – Every night from 8pm-9am
- Zone B: Coldean – All day, every day (except for match or event days)
- Zone C: Queens Park – Every night from 8pm-9am
- Zone D: Moulsecoombe – All day, every day (except for match or event days)
- Zone E: Preston Park Station North – Mon-Fri nights 8pm-9am, all day on Sat & Sun
- Zone F: Fiveways & Balfour Road – Every night from 8pm-9am
- Zone G: Hollinbury Road/Ditchling Gardens – Every night from 8pm-9am
- Zone H: Kemp Town & Hospital – Every night from 8pm-9am
- Zone I: Craven Vale – Every night from 8pm-9am
- Zone J: Preston Circus – Every night from 8pm-9am
- Zone K: Preston Village – Mon-Fri nights 8pm-9am, all day Sat & Sun
- Zone L: West Hove – Every day from 12pm-6pm and every night from 7pm-11am
- Zone M: Brunswick & Adelaide – Every night from 6pm-9am
- Zone N: Central Hove – Every night 8pm-9am
- Zone O: Goldsmid – Mon-Sat nights 8pm-9am, all day Sun
- Zone P: Hove Park – Mon-Fri from 10am-1pm and from 2pm-9am, all day Sat & Sun
- Zone Q: Prestonville – Every night from 8pm-9am
- Zone R: Westbourne – Every night from 8pm-9am
- Zone S: Elm Grove & Hanover – Mon-Fri from 12pm-6pm and from 7pm-11am, all day Sat & Sun
- Zone T: Hove station – Every day from 8pm-9am
- Zone U: Coombe Road – Mon-Fri from 11am-5pm and from 6pm-10am, all day Sat & Sun
- Zone V: Elm Grove & Hanover – Every night from 8pm-9am
- Zone W: Wish Road – Every day from 11am-7pm and every night from 8pm-10am
- Zone Y: Central Brighton North – Every night from 8pm-9am
- Zone Z: Central Brighton South – Every night from 8pm-9am
Note that it may take some time to find a space in these zones, with no guarantee that you’ll get one. There is also the option to buy a visitor permit if you need to park during controlled hours.
Looking for a hotel with free or deeply discounted parking in Brighton?
Our handy guide to Hotels with Parking in Brighton is just what you need!
Free and Unrestricted
Residential Streetside Parking
An option that you might consider is parking on a residential street and walking to the town centre. Usually the downside to this is not knowing which streets you can park in, if you’re not familiar with a place. We’ve gathered all of Brighton’s residential streets with free parking opportunities in the list below, including postcodes and the distance they are from the seafront (specifically the Palace Pier). The list is divided into the directions you may approach Brighton from, to make it easier for you to find the streets most convenient to you.
Be sure to observe the usual rules for parking on residential streets – don’t park over driveways or on double yellow lines, keep noise to a minimum (particularly in the evening), and double check for signage stating when and where you’re allowed to park, if any.
North Brighton
If you’re approaching Brighton from a northerly direction, including visitors from London, these are the most convenient streets to try to park in. A walk from this direction down to the seafront will take you past The Level park and Valley Gardens, the famous Lanes shopping district, Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, and the Royal Pavilion before you even get to the beach!
- Hollingdean Road BN2 4AA – 1.6 miles
- Upper Hollingdean Road BN1 7GA – 1.7 miles
- Davey Drive BN1 7BF – 1.8 miles
- Roedale Road BN1 7GD – 1.8 miles
- Dewe Road BN2 4BE – 1.9 miles
- Dudley Road BN1 7GL – 1.9 miles
- Hollingdean Terrace BN1 7HB – 1.9 miles
- Horton Road BN1 7EG – 1.9 miles
- Milner Road BN2 4BR – 2 miles
- Redvers Road BN2 4BG – 2 miles
- Brentwood Road BN1 7ES – 2.3 miles
- The Avenue BN2 4FA – 2.5 miles
North West Brighton
- Bavant Road BN1 6RD – 2.2 miles
- Knoyle Road BN1 6RB – 2.2 miles
- Cornwall Gardens BN1 6RJ – 2.3 miles
- The Paddock BN3 6LT – 2.3 miles
- Bishops Road BN3 6PN – 2.4 miles
- Elms Lea Avenue BN1 6UG – 2.5 miles
- Fairlie Gardens BN1 6PY – 2.5 miles
- Hazeldene Meads BN1 5LR – 2.5 miles
- Surrenden Road BN1 6PA – 2.5 miles
- Withdean Avenue BN1 5BL – 2.5 miles
East Brighton
Coming in from the east and parking there is the way to get closer to the sea. You can take a walk through town, past the Secret Garden and the Flea Market, or take the scenic route via the marina and along the beach.
- Manor Close BN2 5EG – 1.5 miles
- Manor Hill BN2 5EL – 1.5 miles
- Manor Crescent BN2 5EJ – 1.6 miles
- Flimwell Close BN2 5GJ – 1.7 miles
- Henfield Close BN2 5GN – 1.7 miles
- Marlow Road BN2 5NB – 1.7 miles
- Peel Road BN2 5ND – 1.7 miles
- Reading Road BN2 5NE – 1.7 miles
- Cliff Road BN2 5RD – 1.8 miles
- Wadhurst Rise BN2 5PW – 1.8 miles
- Chiddingly Close BN2 5GE – 1.9 miles
- The Cliff BN2 5RE – 1.9 miles
- Findon Road BN2 5LP – 1.9 miles
- Whitehawk Crescent BN2 5FD – 1.9 miles
- Roedean Way BN2 5RJ – 2.2 miles
Free parking in Brighton does still come at a cost – time and effort. It can take a lot of time to find a spot and you may have to walk a while to get to your destination, which can be difficult for families with small children or disabled and elderly people.
Free but Restricted
Residential Streetside Parking
You can find free parking at certain times of the day on these residentials streets. Outside of these hours you need a resident’s permit to park here. As always, park in a respectful way that leaves others free to use the road without having to navigate their way around your car. Don’t block any driveways or access points, and leave enough space for others to exit any parallel parking spaces.
- Riley Road BN2 4AG – 1.7 miles | free 11am to 5pm and 6pm to 10am, weekends
- Ewhurst Road BN2 4AL – 1.8 miles | free 11am to 5pm and 6pm to 10am, weekends
- Mafeking Road BN2 4EL – 1.8 miles | free 11am to 5pm and 6pm to 10am, weekends
- Kimberley Road BN2 4EP – 2 miles | free 11am to 5pm and 6pm to 10am, weekends
- Ladysmith Road BN2 4EH – 2 miles | free 11am to 5pm and 6pm to 10am, weekends
- The Droveway BN3 7QA – 2.5 miles | free 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 9am, weekends
- Hove Park Way BN3 6PW – 2.5 miles | free 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 9am, weekends
- Harrington Villas BN1 6RG – 2.1 miles | free 10am to 2pm and 3pm to 9am, weekends
- Varndean Road BN1 6RR – 2.5 miles | free 10am to 2pm and 3pm to 9am, weekends
- Gordon Road BN1 6PE – 2.1 miles | free 8pm to 9am
- Herbert Road BN1 6PB – 2.1 miles | free 8pm to 9am
- Bates Road BN1 6PF – 2.2 miles | free 8pm to 9am
- Loder Road BN1 6PL – 2.2 miles | free 8pm to 9am
- Preston Drove BN1 6FJ – 2 miles | free 8pm to 9am
Free Car Parks in Brighton
Just looking for a couple of hours free parking? Don’t mind paying for a cup of coffee to have your parking validated? There are still a few businesses and commercial centres where you can park for free for 2 or 3 hours. Remember to check if you need to have your parking validated with a purchase or not. While the information here is correct at time of publication, there’s nothing stopping these car parks from changing their regulations.
- Brighton Marina BN2 5UT – 2 hours maximum stay
- Pavilion Retail Park BN2 3QA – 2 hours maximum stay, customers only
- Tesco Hove BN3 2DL – 3 hours maximum stay
Pay and Display Streetside Parking near Brighton City Centre
If you don’t mind paid streetside parking you can consider these pay and display bays within a maximum 10-minute walk of Pavilion Gardens.
- George Street – £2.80 for 2 hours
- John Street – £2.80 for 2 hours
- William Street – £2.80 for 2 hours
- Princes Street – £2.80 for 2 hours
- Broad Street – £2.80 for 2 hours
- Kingswood Street – £2.80 for 2 hours
- Old Steine – £8.80 for 2 hours
- Avenue – £8.80 for 2 hours
- Bartholomews – £8.80 for 2 hours
- Black Lion Street – £8.80 for 2 hours
- Middle Street – £8.80 for 2 hours
- King Place – £8.80 for 2 hours
- Tichborne Street – £8.80 for 2 hours
Cheapest Paid Car Parks near Brighton City Centre
- Morrisons BN2 1RE – £4.00 for 2 hours
- Chapel Street Car Park BN2 1RQ – £4.20 for 2 hours
- Churchill Square Orange Carpark BN1 2RU – £5.50 for 2 hours
- NCP Brighton Theatre BN1 1US – £7.90 for 2 hours (pre-booked via NCP app)
- Regency Square Car Park BN1 2FH – £8.60 for 2 hours
- Trafalgar Street Car Park BN1 4DZ – £9.70 for 2 hours
- The Lanes Car Park BN1 1ND – £10.40 for 2 hours
- Regency Mews BN1 2HF – £11.00 daily flat rate
In Brighton with nothing to do? Sitting around bored?
Check out our comprehensive guide of Things to do in Brighton to brighten up your day!
Free and Paid Parking Near Popular Brighton Locations
Free & Paid Parking Near Booth Museum of Natural History
Free & Paid Parking Near Brighton Train Station
Free & Paid Parking Near The Lanes & Brighton's Shopping Quarter
About Brighton
Brighton is a popular seaside resort city just 42 miles south of London. The 300,000 strong population is bolstered in the holiday seasons by a booming tourist industry consisting of approximately 9.5 million visitors every year. Brighton has long been known for its famous Palace Pier, beautiful beaches, and thriving arts scene. It’s also considered one of Britain’s happiest places to live, as well as its status as the most LGBT friendly city. Brighton is the hometown or chosen place to live for many well-known names like musicians Fatboy Slim and Nick Cave, authors Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling, and even YouTube personalities such as Jacksepticeye and Pewdiepie.
Because of the city’s popularity and proximity to the capital, parking has become a major issue. Compounded by a 2-mile square restricted parking zone at the city centre, parking has become more and more difficult and costly. Central car parks average at £4 for just one hour! However, it’s still possible to find free parking options in Brighton, if you know where to look.
