Cycling UK Forum

Hi Folks, am thinking of dashing over to Brittany for a pedal-about, via Plymouth. As you approach the Brittany Ferries terminus, just after the last mini-roundabout, there is a car-park on your left-hand side - does anyone know if this free car park is still OK to use? I used to use it every time I drove to Plymouth to take my bicycle on the ferry - i.e. I left my car in the car park till I got back, but I haven't owned a car from years now, and my car-owning chums, who travel past the car park, 'cos they drive over to Brittany, tell me they have suspicion that the free car park I refer to is now longer safe to use - any opinions? Or indded, other free-car-parking-in-Plymouth tips

I have absolutely no idea!

I know Plymouth fairly well, and would be delighted to go and check it out for you but we're off on our hols on Friday and not back for a week or so. If you still want to know after we get back (week of 25th April) I'll ride in and see.

However, I do have another idea .........

The Tamar Valley Line - railway Gunnislake/Plymouth has free carparking at Gunnislake station - some of the other stations too - so all you would need is a train ticket. Plymouth Station is only a mile or two from the ferry terminal.

The whole area around the port seems to be the preserve of the Friday night beer and vomit brigade. last June we went past the port and parked behind some houses inside a sort of fort. There was a car park over the wall but that was full of chavs at nightime revving up their hot hatches. On the whole not a great area.

Al

I've left my car outside the terminal building in the past without problem, but not lately. I'm in Plymouth soon and will take a look if time allows and let you know. Parking in the area outside the port walls is definitely not recommended.

Thanks, folks... as it happens, said jam-jar has thrown an exhaust valve since I posed the Q.! But I like the sound of the Gunnislake station car-park idea.

Ferry terminal car park used to be free for ferry users. We used it several times for bike excursions to France. Ring them up and ask.

It wasn't free in May last year.

Definitely is not free, in fact is quite expensive if you leave your car for any length of time. Can't remember exactly but I think about £7.50 a day

simonineaston wrote:Thanks, folks... as it happens, said jam-jar has thrown an exhaust valve since I posed the Q.! But I like the sound of the Gunnislake station car-park idea.

Hope you get it fixed ok, but honestly, Gunny Station carpark is perfect. There are other carparks on the Tamar Valley Line - Calstock, Bere Alston, Bere Ferrers, but Gunny is better as it's on the main road, and it's bigger too.

Very low crime area, loads of space to park absolutely free, all you need is a ticket to Plymouth.

Timetables here:
http://www.carfreedaysout.com/ttable.html

Mick F wrote:

simonineaston wrote:Thanks, folks... as it happens, said jam-jar has thrown an exhaust valve since I posed the Q.! But I like the sound of the Gunnislake station car-park idea.

Hope you get it fixed ok, but honestly, Gunny Station carpark is perfect. There are other carparks on the Tamar Valley Line - Calstock, Bere Alston, Bere Ferrers, but Gunny is better as it's on the main road, and it's bigger too.

Very low crime area, loads of space to park absolutely free, all you need is a ticket to Plymouth.

Timetables here:
http://www.carfreedaysout.com/ttable.html

Hi Mick,

Do you know if the free parking has a time restriction on it? Going from Plymouth to Santander for a couple of weeks and trying to find suitable parking.

Matt

erudite wrote:Do you know if the free parking has a time restriction on it? Going from Plymouth to Santander for a couple of weeks and trying to find suitable parking.

Absolutely no time limit.
We know people who park there permanently, and others who park there to commute.

Huge carpark.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Gunnisl ... 8,,0,17.06
The white van belongs to a mate of mine, he keeps it there for days on end.

Hi

Does anyone know if parking at Gunnislake station is still free for unlimited period so long as you have purchased a ticket?

Many Thanks

Steve

Gunnislake station is a mile from here near the top of Gunnislake Hill. I know it very well indeed!

The car park is big and totally free 24/7/365
You don't need a ticket to park at all.

I answered this thread because of the question of parking in Plymouth whilst over in France. I suggested Gunny station to park, then buy a ticket to Plymouth. You buy the ticket on the train.

Brilliant, that's exactly why we wanted to know. Looking at doing Santander to Roscoff this July.

Many thanks Mike

Steve

Just check that it's still free parking. The local station in Bridgwater has just installed a pay and display machine and a small warning notice highlighting the fines payable if caught without a ticket, tucked away out of obvious sight. The station is a First Great Western one which had free parking until a few months ago. I only noticed because when I went to meet someone I noticed the car park was nearly empty and cars were parked in the road outside.

Just checked and it looks like Gunnislake has escaped the pay and display machines -
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Your ... nect-codes