Free winter parking in the coastal towns

Canterbury district residents will be able to take advantage of more than 20 free parking days in the coastal towns in early 2026, to support shops and businesses during the off-season.

The city council is running a special, free all day parking offer for more than two months between mid January and the end of March.

In Herne Bay, parking will be free of charge every Wednesday between 14 January and 25 March at William Street and Neptune car parks.

And in Whitstable, parking will be free of charge every Thursday between 15 January and 26 March at Gorrell Tank and Middle Wall car parks.

To benefit from the offer, all residents need to do is sign up for the council’s residents’ rate permit. Proof of ID and residency in the district is required.

This is a permit that already exists and that thousands of residents have already signed up for. It currently offers a 10 per cent discount at the council’s barrier-controlled ANPR car parks in bands two and three, districtwide, and a 20 per cent discount at all three of Canterbury’s park and ride sites.

Existing residents’ rate permit holders do not need to take any action to benefit from the new offer in the coastal towns, as it will be automatically added to the permit.

Anyone without this permit needs to apply before they arrive at the car park to access the offer.

Cabinet member for parking, Cllr Alex Ricketts, said: “The introduction of the residents’ rate permit a couple of years ago was a real innovation and it’s been great to see local people benefitting from it through reduced prices at park and ride and car parks across the district.

“Since then we’ve been looking at other ways we can use this permit to further support residents and businesses. This new offer will help to bring more people into both town centres during those difficult winter months, and we hope lots of our residents will take advantage of it.”

Cabinet member for the coastal towns, Cllr Chris Cornell, said: “Herne Bay and Whitstable are fantastic towns with a wide variety of excellent shops, restaurants and other outlets, and we really wanted to give them a helping hand at a time when the weather’s a bit rubbish and money is tight after Christmas.

“So don’t delay – if you haven’t already, sign up for the residents’ rate permit, come and park for nothing, and spend a few quid to support our coastal towns.”

The project is being supported by the Canterbury Business Improvement District’s Visit Canterbury coastal team, including communications support and working with traders to list local business offers, activities and events on its website and through social media.

Published: 12 January 2026