Choosing Where To Park
We know that very often it's not the price of accommodation that makes a holiday un-affordable but more what will be spent during the holiday. This is especially true when there are children who need entertaining or who are being tempted by ice creams, attractions and gift shops. In this series of blogs we look at ways to keep the spending down by suggesting things that will help keep what you spend to a reasonable level and things that can be done for FREE.
A real "money muncher" on holiday is car park charges. You might want to drop into somewhere for an hour or so but get in the wrong parking place and you could find yourself paying over the odds. Unfortunately Gwynedd Council seem to have put pay and display machines on every car park and parking space that they own. Free parking in popular spots is hard to find. Use the link below to see what the charges are but also to find out where there are short and long stay alternatives. Getting in the right car park for your length of stay can save money (and save a parking fine too).
For details of Gwynedd car park charges click HERE
Of course you should always park considerately and remember that there are people who live in the places that you are holidaying in and they need access to their driveways, garages and space near their homes.
Ideas for FREE parking in southern Snowdonia
If you don't mind a little walk then there are free parking places to be found.
Places To Park For Free When Visiting Bala
I can't think of anywhere to park for free in the middle of Bala.
Places To Park For Free When Visiting Barmouth
I can't think of anywhere to park for free in the middle of Barmouth. There are a couple of short stay car parks (Talbot Square and Jubilee Road) but other than that it's a walk. Morfa Mawddach station has free places but it's about a 30 minute walk across Barmouth bridge to the centre of the town. A lovely walk in good weather. I have noticed that it is cheaper (by £1 or so) to park further along the Prom (after the Coastguard station - beyond the fairground) than in the car parks nearer to the town.
Places To Park For Free When Visiting Betws y Coed
This is another place where parking is difficult and most places are covered by pay and display. Check out the different car parks along Station Road. There are both short stay and long stay there (sorry I don't have the prices for these). Free places are few and far between. Try road side at Old Church Road (at the back of the station), the back streets on the other side of the A5 (behind Millets, etc.) or road side further along the A5 towards Capel Curig (beyond Pont-y-Pair bridge after the double yellow lines).
Places To Park For Free When Visiting Coed y Brenin
There are a number of places to park to visit Coed y Brenin without paying to park at the Visitor Centre. Check out these:
Places To Park For Free When Visiting Criccieth
The area along the Esplanade and the car parks there are all pay and display. There is some free parking in a small car park and along the road side at Marine Crescent (but remember that this is outside of people's houses). There is a small layby on that A487 on the way into Criccieth but it is a good walk (and a big hill on the way back).
Places To Park For Free When Visiting Dolgellau
Again all of the car parks are either pay and display or super market car parks (which usually have cameras on and time limits). It is possible to park outside of Dolgellau and walk in. Maybe park at the old Llanelltyd bridge or out at Penmaenpool. Make the walk part of your trip.
Places To Park For Free When Visiting Porthmadog
Once again the car parks are pay and display. See the list above for which car parks are short stay and which are long stay and choose appropriately. It is sometimes possible to get a road side parking place within the town but they are in high demand. There are a number of supermarket car parks in the town but be aware that these are covered by cameras and time restrictions.
Places To Park For Free When Visiting Llandudno
You may venture as far as Llandudno when you come to stay (it's about 60 minute drive). We suggest parking in the station car park or in the multi-story car park at the Victoria Shopping Centre. Both are reasonably priced and not far to walk to the Prom and the Pier. It is also often possible to park for FREE on Abbey Road, a long road which runs between the 2 beaches, but you might have quite a walk.
Parking for FREE in Coed y Brenin
See Blog Post No. 4 HERE
Parking for Snowdon
If you can the best way to get to the Snowdon paths is via the Sherpa bus service DETAILS HERE or, for the Ogwen valley and Betws y Coed use the T10 bus service DETAILS HERE.
If you MUST take your car follow the advice of the Snowdonia National Park HERE Please park sensibly (considerately) and buy a ticket otherwise you may come back to find your car has been towed away or at least has a parking ticket on it.
My main suggestion is to do your homework before you go to see where you can park at a price that suits your stay. There are a few car parks which are free during "winter months" but dates aren't specified. This might be sometime in September or it might be the end of October. Be prepared to be flexible, either with what you intend to do during your visit to a town or with which town you are looking to visit.
Cadair View Lodge Accommodation in Snowdonia
We have been managing property in Snowdonia since 2003 so can honestly say that we have lots of experience.
We mostly manage log cabins on Trawsfynydd Holiday Village but we also manage group accommodation in Trawsfynydd village itself.
Take a look at our log cabins in Snowdonia HERE
Click the corresponding name below to see more details about the property
Caban Antur Log Cabin | Caban Eryri Log Cabin | |
Dan yr Ser Log Cabin | Haulfryn Log Cabin | |
Pine Tree Lodge Log Cabin | Ty Coed Log Cabin | Llys Ednowain Group Accommodation |
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