Parking

Always park in a designated car park if possible.

Avoid roadside parking, especially where the road is narrow.

Do not park in roadside parking places. These are not always signed, but occur at narrow points in the road.

Walking is a free activity, and there is a tendency for those who walk regularly to believe that parking should be free also. However, the car parks here have to be maintained. Land hereabouts is expensive to buy and the operators of the car parks are subject to laws regarding their upkeep and use. In order to help those operating the car parks to improve their quality you should always pay the appropriate fees. If there are 4 people in your car then a £6 car parking ticket works out at just £1.50. Is this too much to pay to enjoy a days walking on the fells?

Although they appear to be remote, all the car parks in the valley are checked daily, and those parking without displaying a valid ticket are issued with a fine.

Do not park in hotel car parks or on private driveways.

Do not park on, or beside, cattle grids.

Car parks at the New Dungeon Ghyll start point.

There are two car parks close to the New Dungeon Ghyll Start point. The first is a small roadside car park on the left hand side as you drive down the valley. This car park is currently operated by the National Park Authority and has a capacity of 50 cars. Expect to pay between £2.50 for 2 hours, to £6 for up to Six hours. At the time of writing, the charges are currently under review, and new charges will be in force by Easter 2006

The second car park is the National Trust car park, which is situated on the right hand side of the road, about 250 yards past the entrance to the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. This car park is situated between the trees and has a larger capacity than the LDNPA car park. Charges are roughly equivalent.

Car Parks at Elterwater.

There are three car parks at Elterwater. Two are situated on the common, and are free of charge. They are both small and fill up early. The first is on the left as you approach the village. Drive down the valley road, go over the cattle grid and take the first left. The car park is on the left a little way down this road. It is well hidden.

For the second free car park go over the cattle grid and ignore the first left turn into Elterwater, but drive to the next cross roads and turn right. The car park is 300 yards on your right.

There is a pay and display car park in Elterwater village, close to the bridge. Charges are similar to those at New Dungeon Ghyll.