Yes, parking at Cribbs Causeway is genuinely free, with no time limit. The Mall's own site lists over 7,000 free spaces across car parks A to K, all giving easy access to the shops, so there's no ticket to buy and no clock to watch.
How much parking Cribbs Causeway actually has
Cribbs Causeway, officially The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, sits just off Junction 17 of the M5, north of Bristol, and free parking is one of its main draws over the city centre. With car parks lettered A through K spread around the site, it rarely feels full even on a busy weekend, and unlike Bristol's paid city-centre car parks or residents' parking zones, there's no charge for staying as long as you like.
Electric car charging while you shop
If you're driving an EV, there are several charging options dotted around the site, though it's worth checking which plug type you need before you park up:
| Location | Chargers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lower A car park | 14 points | Tesla vehicles, roughly 30-minute charge, £1 connection fee |
| Lower A car park | 8 points | Genie Point app required |
| Car Park J | 2 points | QC45 rapid chargers |
| The Retail Park | 2 points | QC45 rapid chargers |
| The Venue (near Las Iguanas) | 8 points | Genie Point app required |
Charging details can change, so it's worth double-checking on Zapmap or Plugshare, or on the mall's own site, before you rely on a specific charger being free or working.
Getting there without driving
If you'd rather not drive, Cribbs Causeway has its own bus station next to John Lewis, served by a wide network of local and regional buses, including the MetroBus M1 (Cribbs Causeway to Hengrove Park) and M4 routes, both of which run through Filton and Stoke Gifford on their way into the city centre. Regular First Bus services also connect Cribbs to areas including Henbury, Westbury-on-Trym, Avonmouth, Southmead and the city centre. The nearest railway station is Bristol Parkway, from where buses and taxis run on to the shopping centre. There's also a 50-bay coach park near Marks & Spencer for group visits, and cycle tracks and racks around the site if you're arriving on two wheels.
Is Cribbs Causeway parking really free for everyone?
Yes, there's no general parking charge or barrier system for ordinary shoppers, which is the main reason many Bristol residents choose it over the city centre for a big shop, especially compared with hourly or daily rates at Bristol's central multi-storey car parks. The trade-off is that Cribbs is out on the northern edge of the city, so if you're visiting the harbourside, Clifton or the museums, driving in and parking centrally, or using the park and ride, will usually make more sense.
For comparison with parking options closer to the centre, see our guides to Bristol's park and ride sites and our general parking guide. If you're relying on buses to get around more broadly, our getting around Bristol guide covers the rest of the network, and ride-hailing options are covered in Uber in Bristol.
FAQs
Is parking at Cribbs Causeway actually free? Yes. The Mall's own site states there are over 7,000 free parking spaces across car parks A to K, with no charge and no stated time limit for shoppers.
How many car parks does Cribbs Causeway have? The site has car parks labelled A through K spread around The Mall, giving access to the different shops and retail park units.
Is there electric car charging at Cribbs Causeway? Yes, including Tesla-specific chargers and Genie Point and QC45 rapid chargers in several car parks, though it's worth checking plug compatibility and current status before relying on one.
Can I get to Cribbs Causeway by bus? Yes, it has its own bus station next to John Lewis, served by regular First Bus routes and by the MetroBus M1 and M4 services connecting to the city centre.
Is there parking for coaches at Cribbs Causeway? Yes, a 50-bay coach park is available near Marks & Spencer for group visits.
Should I park at Cribbs Causeway or drive into central Bristol? If you're specifically shopping at Cribbs, its free parking makes it the easier option. If you're visiting the harbourside, Clifton or the museums, city-centre parking or the park and ride sites will get you closer to those attractions.