Free places to park in Cambridge

September 13, 2008 2:33 AM

Calling all Cambridge (UK) Mefites! My girlfriend has just left for University (Anglia Ruskin) in Cambridge. I want to travel up and see her regularly, but parking in Cambridge is a problem.

I can easily get to her, but parking is the problem. Is there anywhere near the University I can park for free/cheap for 2 days at a time? I could travel up by train or bus....but it takes 3 times as long as is very expensive.

Any suggestions?

posted by anonaccount to Travel & Transportation around Cambridge, MA (5 answers total)

Park and Ride sites on the edge of town are good for a day trip (although overnight is not allowed), especially as the bus is free for concessionary fares after 0930 and cheap for others (£3-4, from memory). Other than that there are good free parking spots around Wolfson College (where I am) in Selwyn Gardens and the near-to-Wolfson side of Granchester Road. The Wolfson postcode is CB3 9BB, if you need to look at the area in Google Maps.

Closer to Anglia Ruskin is indeed more tricky, but there is plenty of parking around on the outskirts of the city. And Cambridge is a small place, the worst you'll have is a 30 min walk (which seems not too bad for a 2 day parking space). The Chesterton area of town also has some free parking, and is also in walking distance. It is however less classy than the area outside of Wolfson, so I guess the risk of crime is slightly higher.

Does this help sufficiently or do you need more details?
posted by jaduncan at 4:38 AM on September 13, 2008

Ah, I forgot that Selwyn Avenue has now gone permit. All else is correct.
posted by jaduncan at 4:45 AM on September 13, 2008

The Wolfson College area, at least the bit I'm thinking of (the north side of Barton Road) is usually quite crowded because it's got a lot of residential parking. You may be able to find somewhere by cruising around there though, there are usually some spaces.

I think the university has a small car park (I haven't been there for ages) -- she probably won't be able to get you a space there but it might be worth asking?
posted by katrielalex at 7:01 AM on September 13, 2008

There is no way you could get parking on Campus. You could definitely find places along Gwydir, Sturton and York Streets and all the little side streets around there, It will just take a while. If you can park during the day while all the folk are at work that's even better. Is she staying in Halls of residence or housing and where abouts? That will be more of a pointer as to where you can park nearby.
posted by stackhaus23 at 10:11 AM on September 13, 2008

Response by poster: Thanks for the tips!

She is staying in Halls.

I've been told that Occupation Road, near the law courts is worth a shot first as it's a only just up the road from the campus. A college claims to have parked there all day and never had a problem.

Any Cambridge mefites fancy renting a driveway from time to time? or know of any nearby OAPs who have a driveway but no car?
posted by anonaccount at 11:27 AM on September 13, 2008