Thirsk · North Yorkshire
🚗 Parking in Thirsk
Everything you need to know about parking in Thirsk town centre — car parks, charges, disabled bays, and tips for visiting on race days and market days.
Most popular
Market Place car park
🚗 Town Centre
📍 Market Place · YO7 1EX
Right in the heart of Thirsk
| Duration | Charge |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | Free |
| Up to 2 hours | £1.50 |
| No return to car park for 1 hour after ticket expires. | - |
Disclaimer: Parking charges listed are a guide only and believed to be correct at the time of publishing. Always verify with local signage or the relevant authority, as charges may change.
All locations
Thirsk car parks
A short walk from the Market Place with good capacity — a reliable choice when the town centre car park is busy. Served by pay-and-display machines.
Charges
Free on-site parking is available at Thirsk Racecourse on all race days. The car park is large and well-organised — right next to the entrance gates.
Charges
Located on Chapel Street YO7 1LU, this car park offers a practical choice for day-trippers and local residents alike.
Charges
Blue badge holders can park on Market Place and in designated bays throughout the town centre, close to the main shops and Tourist Information Centre.
Key locations
Limited on-street parking is available on several roads near the town centre. Restrictions apply during peak times and on Mondays (market day). Always check signs before leaving your vehicle.
Key streets
On busy race days or market days, arriving by train is a great alternative. Thirsk Station is just a 5-minute walk from the racecourse and 10 minutes from the Market Place.
Useful info
Know before you go
Parking tips for Thirsk
Market day — Monday
Thirsk holds its market every Monday, when the town centre becomes significantly busier. Car parks fill fast. Arrive before 9am for the best chance of a space near the square.
- Market day
- Every Monday
- Busiest time
- 9am – 1pm
- Tip
- Use Fibby Hill or Sowerby Road
Race days
On Thirsk Racecourse race days, traffic increases significantly through town. The racecourse has free parking on-site. If visiting the town too, plan extra time for your journey.
- Racecourse parking
- Free on race days
- Town centre
- Can get busy
- Alternative
- Arrive by train
Blue badge holders
Blue badge holders are well catered for across Thirsk town centre. Designated bays near the Market Place and Tourist Information offer easy access to all attractions.
- Bays
- Market Place & town centre
- Racecourse
- Disabled bays available
- Cost
- Free with valid badge
Visitor advice
Planning your visit
Tips for hassle-free parking
Thirsk is a busy market town and parking can be limited during peak times. A little planning goes a long way.
- Arrive early on Mondays (market day) — the Market Place car park fills up quickly from around 9am
- On race days, use the free car park at Thirsk Racecourse if heading to the races — it's right at the gates
- Fibby Hill is a great overflow option when the Market Place is full, just a few minutes' walk from the centre
- Consider arriving by train — Thirsk Station is a short walk from both the racecourse and the town centre
- Blue badge holders have dedicated bays throughout town; locations are clearly marked with signs
- Pay-and-display machines in North Yorkshire accept coins and most accept contactless card payment
- For evening events, on-street parking restrictions often end at 6pm — always check local signs
More to know
Getting around Thirsk
🚉 Arriving by train
Thirsk railway station sits on the East Coast Main Line, with regular services from York (20 mins), Darlington, and Leeds. It's one of the easiest towns in North Yorkshire to reach by rail.
- 5-minute walk to Thirsk Racecourse
- 10-minute walk to the Market Place
- Services operated by LNER and TransPennine Express
- National Rail – Thirsk Station
🚌 Buses & local transport
Several bus services connect Thirsk with surrounding villages and larger towns including Northallerton, Ripon, and York. The bus stop on the Market Place serves most routes.
- Routes to Northallerton, Ripon & York
- Market Place is the main bus stop
- North Yorkshire transport information
- Arriva bus services
🏠 Stay in Thirsk
Staying in Thirsk means you can leave the car behind and explore the town on foot — perfect for race days or market visits.
📅 Plan your day
Wednesday 27th May 2026
Looking for things to do in Thirsk today? Browse events, workshops, and attractions across the town and surrounding area.