For the main Widemouth beach, use Widemouth Bay beach car park, EX23 0AW. For Black Rock at the southern end, use its separate privately operated car park, EX23 0AG. Do not assume a ticket or tariff covers both.
Before paying for a winter beach stop
- Confirm which operator runs the car park you have actually entered. The council tariff and private Black Rock tariff are not interchangeable.
- Read the seasonal date band and charging hours on the sign. A quieter beach does not mean parking is free.
- Allow time for walking back, changing wet clothes and gathering children or dogs before the ticket expires.
- Check payment instructions before leaving the vehicle; a weak phone signal is a reason to sort payment first, not later.
Header photo: Widemouth Bay, Sandy Bay and car park. Image: Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph/Wikimedia Commons.
| Parking option | Use it for | Directions / restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Widemouth Bay beach car park | Main Widemouth beach and surf visits. | Main beach directions; council-operated, pay and display; EX23 0AW. |
| Black Rock car park | Southern beach and year-round dog option. | Black Rock directions; privately operated, separate tariff; EX23 0AG. |
| Upton / Penhalt viewing points | Short scenic stops rather than the shortest sand access. | Listed as free by Visit Bude; read current vehicle and overnight restrictions on signs. |
Find the two car parks on the map
The main Widemouth car park is north of Black Rock’s car park. These are separate entrances and payment areas, not two names for the same ticket. The maps below locate the car parks; they do not mark the legal beach dog-restriction boundary.
Show main Widemouth car park map
Open larger map · Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Show Black Rock car park map
Open larger map · Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Black Rock prices: check the private tariff
We could verify that Black Rock is pay-and-display, but could not verify a current published private price list. Read its machine or entrance board before leaving the vehicle; do not use the council prices below for Black Rock. If the payment method is unavailable, follow the operator’s instructions or choose another car park.
Accessible parking and vehicle details
The council lists 560 spaces at main Widemouth, a tarmac/sand surface with grass used in summer, no height restriction and no dedicated motorhome facilities. Blue Badge holders must display their badge and arrival clock and normally pay unless registered under the council’s exemption or adapted-vehicle scheme. Check the council’s full current conditions.
Current council tariffs: summer and winter
Checked 31 October 2026 against Cornwall Council’s Widemouth Bay car-park page, last updated 22 July 2026. The council’s figures supersede the lower prices still shown on the visitor board’s parking page. These are main Widemouth charges, not Black Rock’s private tariff.
| Stay | 1 April–31 October, 9am–6pm | 1 November–31 March, 9am–4pm |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £2.70 | £1.50 |
| 1–2 hours | £5.30 | £2.70 |
| 2–4 hours | £7.70 | £5.70 |
| 24 hours | £11.70 | £7.20 |
| Weekly | £29.20 | £17.60 |
Evenings: April–October, 6pm–midnight costs £2.50; midnight–9am has no charge. November–March, 4pm–9am has no charge. No-charge hours do not override overnight vehicle or sleeping restrictions.
Payment and location code
The council lists pay-and-display accepting coins from 10p to £2, Chip and PIN, contactless, Apple Pay and Google Pay, plus JustPark. It also flags the move to cashless payment at several car parks from August 2026, so check the actual machine before relying on cash.
JustPark code: 8214 for cars; 8215 for coaches. The council states a 10p transaction fee for JustPark bookings and optional paid reminder texts. Confirm the location name and vehicle category before paying. Wallet discounts have eligibility and minimum-purchase conditions: use the council’s linked Wallet terms rather than assuming a standard discounted day ticket.
The current sign or app tariff takes priority if arrangements change.
Arriving and choosing the right entrance
Approach from Bude on the coast road and use the signed entrance for the beach section you need. The main Widemouth car park and Black Rock are separate destinations; use the directions links above rather than a postcode alone. If visiting with a dog, read the beach rules and boundary maps before choosing your parking.
Viewing points and overnight stays
Main Widemouth restriction: the council permits no motorhomes or campers from 11pm to 8am and states “No sleeping or overnight camping”. A 24-hour car-park opening is not overnight-stay permission.
Visit Bude lists Upton and Penhalt viewing points as free parking. These involve more walking and should not be treated as an unrestricted camping alternative. The visitor board describes a general 11pm–8am prohibition for campers/motorhomes in council car parks except designated arrangements at The Crescent in Bude. Check the individual car park’s signs; buying 24 hours of parking does not itself permit sleeping or camping.
When the main car park is full
Do not obstruct the coast road, entrances or emergency access. Either change the beach plan or head into Bude using the Bude parking guide. The Wharf is a different town-centre option, not a walk-next-door substitute for Widemouth beach.
Source: Visit Bude parking; council parking information is available through Cornwall Council car parks. No current construction/closure claim is made without a dated operator notice.
Common questions
How much is parking at Widemouth Bay?
Cornwall Council publishes April–October rates of £2.70 for up to an hour and £11.70 for 24 hours, and November–March rates of £1.50 and £7.20 respectively. Check the signs or app for your date; Black Rock is separate.
Is there free parking at Widemouth Bay?
Visit Bude lists Upton and Penhalt viewing points as free. Check signs and allow for a longer walk rather than assuming beach-front access.
Does a 24-hour ticket allow overnight camping?
No. A parking duration is not permission to camp or sleep in a vehicle. Check the specific car park’s restrictions.