Parking in St Ives.
Parking your car in St Ives is easier than you may have feared. Yes, the roads are narrow and the town is busy in the summer, but there are plenty of parking options in and near St Ives.
Whether you are staying for a week or spending a day here, find out more in the Cornish Escapes guide to St Ives car parking.
St Ives Trenwith Car Park.
The Trenwith Long Stay
TR26 1DD
759 SPACES
Trenwith car park is the largest of the Cornwall Council car parks in St Ives. It is also one of the first St Ives car parks you come across, and arguably the easiest to park in as it avoids the town completely. If you are staying in this part of St Ives, you can get a weekly ticket for Trenwith.
Best for: Avoiding driving into central St Ives, EV charging.
Good to know: the uphill walk back can be a challenge! We recommend catching a bus.
St Ives Rugby Club.
Rugby Club Long Stay
TR26 1ER
250 SPACES
At just £7 per day (October 2026), the Rugby Club car park is one the best-value options for day visitors. They also offer weekly and longer stay tickets; and A1 cars, their preferred taxi company and sponsor, can take you and your luggage into town.
Best for: good value and regular peak-time bus service.
Good to know: all the income from parking benefits the club and other local sporting organisations.
Park Avenue Car Park.
Park Avenue Long Stay
TR26 1QE
77 SPACES
The appropriately named Park Avenue car park is a good compromise. It is still out of town (just), but is a shorter walk than Trenwith. If you are here early in the day, it is a good place to blag an all-day space. Again, you can book long-term tickets if your St Ives holiday accommodation is without parking.
Best for: visiting the cinema, theatre and escape rooms.
Good to know: Park Avenue is one-way.
St Ives Station Car Park.
Station Long Stay
TR26 2BH
106 SPACES
The railway station car park is always worth a try, although it does fill up quickly during peak season and you have to watch out for the private spaces. If you like to get out of the car and gasp at the view, this car park overlooks beautiful Porthminster Beach.
Best for: quick access to town and the beach.
Good to know: it is a great out-of-season car park.
Barnoon Long Stay Car Park.
Barnoon Long Stay
TR26 1JF
124 SPACES
AKA “the one above the Tate”, Barnoon car park also has amazing views, this time over St Ives’ westernmost beach, Porthmeor. Access to town is via steps or a steep hill (or a long way round via gentler slopes) so take this into consideration when parking at Barnoon. Watch out for the private residents’ spaces.
Best for: visiting the Tate, Porthmeor Beach or heading west on the coast path.
Good to know: Best reached by driving up Bullens Lane (by the Stennack Surgery).
The Island Car Park.
Island Long Stay
TR26 1SY
129 SPACES
Between Porthmeor and Porthgwidden beaches, The Island car park is the best place to park for a day at the beach. Come here early because it is a popular spot (and you really want the approaching roads to be quiet…). It is free after 18:00, perfect for an evening out at one of the excellent beach restaurants.
Best for: beach days.
Good to know: watch out for nearby Porthgwidden Car Park, which is 100% reserved parking.
Porthmeor Car Park.
Porthmeor Short Stay
TR26 1JU
30 SPACES
You have hit the parking jackpot if you get a space in this small seaside car park. It’s just two minutes’ easy walk from lovely Porthmeor Beach, although with a maximum stay of 3 hours, it might not be the best choice for a visit to nearby Tate St Ives. Perfect for a morning dip and brunch, however!
Best for: early morning swims and level access.
Good to know: there are loos in the car park.
Smeaton’s Pier Car Park.
Smeatons Pier Short Stay
TR26 1PS
31 SPACES
Yes, you can actually park on the pier, which is wonderfully central for the beaches and town centre. It is quite the drive through St Ives to reach this small car park: definitely one for small cars and confident drivers only.
Best for: you will not find a more stunning spot to park in Cornwall (and there are toilets).
Good to know: probably best parking elsewhere and walking to the pier in our opinion…!
The Sloop Car Park.
Sloop Short Stay
TR26 1LT
42 SPACES
Another central car park, but slightly less hair-raising to drive to than Smeaton’s Pier. If you want to shop in lovely Fore Street, this short stay car park is the most convenient place with reasonably flat access (and public loos). Some of the spaces are a bit tight for larger vehicles.
Best for: Easy access to the shops and beach.
Good to know: Maximum stay is three hours – worth remembering if you want to combine shopping with lunch out.
Stennack Surgery Car Park.
Stennack Surgery
TR26 1RU
48 SPACES
After 18:00 and at the weekend (including bank holidays) the surgery car park becomes a pay and display. Please do not park here outside those hours unless you are visiting the surgery itself, or you could pick up a £100 fine.
Best for: easy access into town.
Good to know: money raised from car parking goes towards Stennack Surgery Services.
The Laundrette Car Park.
Laundrette Short Stay
TR26 1QX
70 SPACES
This privately owned car park is tucked in behind the laundrette on lower Stennack (look out for the mural!). The laundrette car park is handy for shops, restaurants, the cinema and Kidz R Us Theatre.
Best for: straightforward, relatively even walk into town.
Good to know: please make sure you park between the lines!
Secure St Ives Car Parking.
St Ives Secure Long Stay
TR26 2JH
19 SPACES
Book a secure space for the duration of your stay at St Ives Secure Parking. The pre-booked car park is on the Penbeagle Industrial Estate outside town, but they will help you with taxi transfers. Benefits include EV charging and 24-hour access.
Best for: the perfect place if you want to park up for a week then ignore your car.
Good to know: there are regular buses between town and Penbeagle when you need your own wheels.
Other St Ives Car Parking Options.
As well as these best-known car parks, there are a few lesser-known places to park in or near St Ives. St John-in-the-Fields church (TR26, 2FB, at the top of the Stennack) offers reasonably priced parking (as does the church in Carbis Bay, St Anta).
St Ives Secondary School has parking during the summer holidays (TR26 2BB), or you could pre-book a space at the Edward Hain Centre (TR26 2BS).
Park and Ride to St Ives.
If you are planning a day trip to St Ives, the St Erth to St Ives branch line train operates like a Park and Ride. There is generous parking at St Erth station (including EV charging), and the short rail journey is one of the most beautiful in Britain. Find out more about catching the train to St Ives.
If you park at St Ives Rugby Club, you can catch one of the St Ives Bus Company buses, which run 3-4 times an hour in the high season. They will take you (and your dog) down to Porthmeor Beach for just £1.50 (one way).
What is the best time to park in St Ives?
The earlier the better, and changeover days (Friday and Saturday) can be easier.
What is reserved parking in St Ives?
There are reserved spaces in public car parks, including Barnoon and the station. These are clearly marked and usually have a number painted on them. St Ives residents and businesses pay to reserve these spaces and you will be fined for unauthorised parking.
Where can I charge my EV car in St Ives?
Trenwith long stay car park or Carbis Bay Tesco are the most convenient places. St Erth railway station also has EV charging. If you want to use a petrol station for EV charging, try the Shell Garage at Loggans Moor (Hayle).
What is a car park Rover Ticket?
These one-off-payment tickets let you park in most (but not all) Council long stay car parks for one week. Find out more on the Cornwall Council website.
Can I use my JustPark Wallet in St Ives?
Yes: the council car parks in St Ives use JustPark and it can be a good way to save money on parking during your Cornwall holiday.
I am here for a week. Can I park in St Ives for my whole stay?
Yes you can get weekly car parking at several St Ives car parks, including Trenwith, the rugby club and Park Avenue. You can pre-book a long-term space at the secure car park at Penbeagle.
Meet The Author.
As Business Development Director at Cornish Escapes, Emma plays a strategic role in driving the growth of the business through the marketing and recruitment whilst also overseeing the performance of our sister company Handpicked Cottages. Emma brings a wealth of industry insight to the business.
With over 20 years of experience in the holiday rental market, Emma focuses on understanding evolving market trends and her goal is simple: to increase bookings for our owners through marketing while also strengthening the visibility and reputation of our brands.
Outside of work, Emma makes the most of Cornwall’s stunning coastline. Her favourite walk is the St Ives to Zennor route – a challenging trek, but one she says is always worth it for the views and a well-earned pint at The Tinner’s Arms. Passionate about the lifestyle Cornwall offers, Emma loves exploring the county with her two daughters, from discovering family-friendly days out to attending local events such as the St Ives Food Festival, where she enjoys sampling some of the very best Cornish food and drink. When it is time to relax, she can often be found at Newlyn Film House catching the latest film or sharing recommendations on the best theatre productions and live performances across Cornwall.
Or… Book a St Ives Holiday Cottage with Parking.
Of course, you might not even need to find a car park! If you prefer to stay in a place with its own space, we have a range St Ives holiday cottages with parking. We also have holiday accommodation in nearby Carbis Bay with parking spaces. Staying further afield and planning a day trip to St Ives? Explore the full collection of Cornish Escapes properties in Cornwall with parking.
