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Parking & Permits

Car parking is charged between 9am and 7pm.  The ticket machines take coins and there is also the option to pay by ‘phone (using RingGo) for a small extra fee.  On weekdays the charges are £1 for the first hour, £2 for up to two hours and £3 for the day.  At weekends the charges are £1 for the first hour, £2 for up to two hours, £3 for up to three hours, £4 for up to four hours and £5 for the day.

Parking is managed and enforced by West Suffolk District Council under a contract with Clare Castle Country Park Trust (“the Trust”).  All parking charges are paid to the Trust, a registered charity, and are its main source of income.  Without these parking charges the Trust would be unable to maintain the Park, its scheduled monument and historic railway buildings for the benefit of residents and visitors.

The Trust also issues parking permits (“Passes” or a “Pass”) enabling drivers to park for 6 or 12 months without buying a standard parking ticket.  The intention of these Passes is to allow those who drive to Clare for work, visit the Town or Park regularly and/or have a disability and hold a blue badge, to park at a favourable rate. Only blue badge holders with a pass may use the car park for off-street parking, this is intended to keep the car park available for visitors.

Passes will not be issued to anyone living (whether permanently or temporarily) within half a mile of the car park, unless the holder has a valid and current Blue Badge at the date of issue.  This includes anyone living in Clare for whatever length of time, including in temporary accommodation.  If it is found that a holder is using their Pass for off street parking during the day, the Trust will revoke that Pass.

Passes are intended for cars or small vans and are not suitable for larger vehicles. Passes do not guarantee availability of car parking spaces during busy times.

Passes may be obtained by accepting the Terms and Conditions, completing the application form below and paying the correct sum.

  1. Visitor Parking Passes cost £50 for 6 months and £75 for 12 months for weekday parking OR £100 for 6 months and £150 for 12 months for passes which allow parking seven days a week.
  2. Off-street Parking Passes (available to residents holding a Blue Badge only) cost £300 per year for weekday parking OR £500 per year for unlimited (seven days a week) parking.

The Trust reserves the right to increase parking charges at any time. Full Terms and Conditions can be seen here – Car Park Passes Terms and Conditions.

Passes are normally issued within 14 days of receipt of the application and payment.

    Car Parking Pass Application Form:

    Your details






    About the pass

    Passes are not transferable and may only be used for the one vehicle registration given below:

    Please select the pass you are applying for:

    Visitor, 12 months, 7 days a week - £150Visitor, 12 months, weekdays only - £75Visitor, 6 months, 7 days a week - £100Visitor, 6 months, weekdays only - £50Off-street (blue badge holders only), 7 days a week - £500Off-street (blue badge holders only), weekdays only - £300

    Passes start from the 1st of the month - please indicate start month below. If left blank the pass will start from the 1st of the following month:

    Payment

    Payment can be made by sending a cheque to the above address made out to ‘Clare Castle Country Park Trust’ or by making a direct payment to the Trust’s bank account. Please indicate your preference below:

    ChequeBank Transfer

    If making a direct payment to the Trust’s bank account please include your name for the reference when making such a transfer.

    Account details:
    Lloyds Bank
    Sort code 30-98-31
    Account No. 29230068

    If paying by cheque - please send to :

    The Park Office, Clare Castle Country Park, Malting Lane, Clare, Sudbury CO10 8NW

    I have read and agree with the T&CsTerms and Conditions.

    Please tick whichever ONE of the following apply:
    I confirm that I do not live within half a mile of Clare Castle Country Park car park.I confirm that I am the holder of a valid, current Blue Badge and that I will make arrangements to verify this with the Trust prior to obtaining a Pass.

    I understand that Passes are not to be used for off-street parking between 9am and 7pm and confirm that I will not use a Pass for this purpose.