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Date updated: 7/03/2023

Parking information

The Coulsdon Commons are a charity funded privately from investments by the City of London Corporation. Running these important sites that are part of London’s newest National Nature Reserve is expensive.

Every year, thousands of visitors come to the Coulsdon Commons and benefit from these urban green oases. The money raised through car parking charges is spent on looking after the Coulsdon Commons and protecting them for future generations including:

  • Conserving rare wildlife & threatened habitats
  • Volunteer equipment & educational events
  • Maintaining access & facilities for visitors
  • Removing waste & protecting countryside

.How much is it to park?

Monday - Friday (excluding bank/public holidays)

  • Up to 2 hours: £1.50 
  • All day: £3 

Weekends and bank/public holidays

  • All day: £3

Coaches and minibuses*

  • All times £18

*17 seats or more

Parking is free for disabled visitors displaying a correct blue badge and registering their vehicle via email or telephone (01785 336780).

ANPR cameras will monitor vehicle movement into and out of the car parks so please pay on arrival. There is a 10 minute grace window before charges apply.

Season tickets

If you are a regularly visitor, season tickets are a great way to save.

Season tickets can be bought through RingGo. You can buy either a 1 year or 1 month ticket. Prices are £180 1 year/£16 1 month for one car and £200 1 year/£18 1 month for two cars. If you wish to register 2 vehicles that belong to the same address please use the 2 Car Season Ticket permit - A charge per additional vehicle applies £20 per year or £2 per month.

How to pay

You can pay a number of ways:

  • Contactless cards and debit/credit cards at the payment machines by the car parks
  • Via the RingGo app
  • RingGo pay by phone system (details on the side of the machines)

Frequently Asked Questions

The charges apply to all cars, motorbikes, vans and coaches parked in the Farthing Downs and Riddlesdown car parks.

Cyclists and walkers won't be charged and there is free access to all of the Coulsdon Commons.

Payment is linked to vehicle registration (license plate) and cannot be shared as the system will not be able to recognize this change.

Yes. If you purchase the £3 all day ticket this should give sufficient time to come back in one day.

No. These are to provide constant access onto the Commons for Rangers and emergency services. Access through these gates is also needed for horse-pulled vehicles to avoid the cattle grids. 

 

ANPR cameras will monitor vehicle movement into and out of the car parks. City of London staff and a third-party enforcement company, District Enforcement, will issue a Park Charge Notice (PCN) in cases where a vehicle is not parked in accordance with parking conditions.

The surrounding roads are the responsibility of the local authority and highway rules and restrictions.

Please be considerate when parking on neighbouring residential streets and avoid blocking private driveways and parking dangerously on roadside verges. 

Croydon Council have made their intention to introduce a 'restricted zone' from Downs Road to the car park. If you leave your car unattended you could be issued with a PCN.

The charges apply all day except Christmas Day. Opening and closing times vary throughout the year. Please see times for Farthing Downs on our website or check the daily time board displayed at the entrance to the car park.

Yes. If you have purchased a ticket you can visit both sites within the times you have paid for. 

Payment can be done via the three ways mentioned in the text above titled 'How to pay'. The machines at both sites will take card payment but payment by cash is not currently an option.

No. There is a 10-minute window where you don't need to pay.