Little Roodee Car Park
Grosvenor Rd, Chester CH1 1SL
The Little Roodee Car Park in Chester is widely regarded as one of the most convenient and well-located municipal parking areas in the UK. Situated directly along the picturesque banks of the River Dee and right next to Chester's historic city walls, this open-air, tarmac surface facility operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is highly celebrated for being one of the few official, city-centre locations in the country that actively welcomes motorhomes and campervans for overnight stopovers.
Motorhome and Campervan Stopovers
The local council officially permits overnight sleeping in campervans and motorhomes. It functions much like a continental "Aire"—providing a safe, legitimate place to park right by the action.
Parking Strategy: There are several dedicated 8-metre-long bays positioned right against the riverside. If these are full, motorhomes are permitted to park across multiple standard bays in the main car park area. Do not park in the designated coach-only bays, as parking wardens enforce this strictly and issue hefty fines.
The Barrier & Ticket System: The facility operates an automated barrier system with CCTV monitoring. If your vehicle is too large to fit in a single standard bay, you must pull up to the taller entry machine marked for "Coaches and Oversize Vehicles" to pull your entry ticket.
Stopover Rules: Vehicles must fit entirely between the lines without overhanging onto the grass or concrete verges by the river.
Tariffs for Oversize Vehicles & Motorhomes
The pricing structure runs from 7:00 AM to 6:59 AM the following day. Payment is made at the machines on departure using cash, credit/debit card, or contactless mobile payments. Alternatively, stays can be managed digitally via the PayByPhone App.
Up to 3 hours: £6.50
3 to 6 hours: £9.00
Over 6 hours: £11.00
Arrivals after 6:00 PM: £5.00
Multi-day/Roaming: A £10.00 ticket option exists on the machines allowing unlimited entry and exit throughout a single day.
On-Site Facilities
Toilets: Public restroom facilities are available on-site, including accessible/disabled toilets. However, they are generally locked outside of normal daytime hours.
No Services: The car park is strictly for parking. There are no electric hook-ups (EHU), fresh water refills, or greywater drainage points. There is a strict council ban against emptying chemical toilet cassettes into the public on-site restrooms.
Security: The area feels safe and secure for solo or family travellers due to well-lit grounds, active CCTV, and the presence of numerous fellow campervans overnight.
On-Site & Local Dining
The Little Roodee Café - Located directly within the car park grounds, the Little Roodee Café is a beloved local social enterprise run by Vivo Care Choices. It provides vital vocational training and employment opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and autism.
The Food: Highly rated for its freshly prepared, reasonably priced comfort food. They are famous for an all-day full English breakfast, homemade cakes, paninis, burgers, and barista coffee.
Opening Hours: Vary throughout the week (typically 9:00 AM–4:00 PM most days, opening at 10:00 AM on weekends and 12:00 PM on Mondays/Wednesdays). It features an atmospheric indoor seating area and outdoor seating facing the river.
Local Information & Things to Do
The car park sits in a prime location for exploring Chester's rich Roman and medieval heritage entirely by foot:
Chester Racecourse - Positioned immediately adjacent to the car park, "The Roodee" is the oldest operational racecourse in the world, dating back to 1539.
The City Walls - A pedestrian pathway and steps lead directly from the car park up onto the Chester City Walls, the most complete Roman and medieval city walls in Britain. Walking the full 2-mile circuit takes you past the iconic Eastgate Clock and the Roman Amphitheatre.
River Dee & Boat Trips - The promenade immediately outside your motorhome door offers scenic walking paths, ice cream kiosks, rowboat rentals, and historical river cruises.
