Anyone know where to park in Reading for free?

[Pingodingo]

I’m driving to Reading on Friday, catching the train to London and hoping to leave the car on a quiet road somewhere with no parking charges. If such a place exists?!

Happy to walk a bit of needs be.

I’ve just spent the last week being royally ripped off for parking in Cornwall, so I’m keen to claw back some free parking!

Near the station? I doubt it.

No idea - doubt you'll find anywhere tbh.

Reading Council have made most town centre streets metred parking, many are max 2 hrs.

Further out of town (20 mins walk) you get to residents' only parking, every side of town that I can think of!

Maybe try one of the park and rides, if you want cheaper all day parking?

You’ll be lucky in Reading! Does the train stop anywhere on the way eg Twyford? You might find street parking there I suppose - there are residential areas near the train station.

Nowhere. The station is right in the centre and everywhere around has meters or restrictions. And very on it traffic wardens (bitter experience).

Sure, park in my road, let me know where you live so I can be sure to park for free outside your house if I’m ever in the area,

Why don’t you drive to North Ealing underground instead? Parking super cheap there.

Maybe park somewhere like Tilehurst or Pangbourne? There might be free parking near those stations? Or at least cheaper station car parking.

Which direction are you coming from?

Most streets near the station are metered and have restrictions and a bit further the streets have the max 2 hours rule so nowhere with no parking charges. However there are some car parks that charge less if it's the night time you're leaving the car. You can also check JustPark to see if someone is offering their driveway that may not cost as much as the car park.

I think you are looking for a golden egg!

Look on one of those websites where you can pay to park on someone's drive. That might be your best bet.

Disabled people pay for parking in Reading or get fines for being in the wrong area (not that I'm bitter but it was an expensive night out). There is no free parking anywhere.

Thanks all.

I found this site, which seems to set out some options.

www.roadtripheroes.com/free-parking-in-reading-berkshire/#free-parking-near-reading-railway-station-berkshire

No idea if these are accurate but looking at Google images on Champion Rd, I can’t see any permit signs.

To the pp above, I have no problem if someone I don’t know parks their car on my road?! People frequently do and I have no idea who they are

If you’re coming from West of Reading, try Tilehurst and walk to the station there (you might need to change at Reading). Lots of the residential roads around there you can park on. Alternatively park near Oxford road and get a bus into the centre.

www.parkopedia.com/

This will show car parks, along with restrictions and charges.

Champion road in Caversham has permits not sure if it’s the whole street but there was some when friend lived there.

Not sure how up to date that website is OP - one of the sections (free parking around the hospital) lists roads that are now all residents' parking.

Hills Meadow car park just to the north of the station is often mentioned as an all-day, cheaper than the station, car park.

OP some of the roads listed there as free parking are residents' parking only. Some of the others are in complicated one-way systems and have space for only about three cars.

Good luck! I admire your style!

P.s. Wargrave station, which connects to Twyford, has free parking. Twyford is on the Paddington line.