Parking near the Rainbow Quarter
Where to leave the car when you're staying or partying in the quarter, what it roughly costs, and how to save money with guesthouse passes.
The short version
Parking on the quarter's streets is scarce and largely permit-controlled, and many guesthouses have no parking of their own. The easy answer is one of three car parks within about four minutes' walk of the bars: Banks Street, the Dickson Road car park and the Talbot Road multi-storey. Of these, Banks Street has generally been the cheapest for stays of up to four days.
The three closest car parks
Banks Street car park. An open-air, pay-at-machine car park around three minutes' walk from the Lord Street and Dickson Road bars and about two hundred yards from the station-side guesthouses. Recent multi-day prices have been roughly £13 for one day, £17 for two, £22 for three, £25 for four and £40 for a week. It is the one most guesthouse owners point their guests to.
Dickson Road car park (by 61 Dickson Road). An open-air car park right in the quarter, about three minutes from the bars. It has been priced the same as the Talbot Road multi-storey: around £19 for a day, £22 for two days, £26 for three, £29 for four and £40 for a week.
Talbot Road multi-storey. Next to the station end of Talbot Road, about four minutes from the bars. It is the only covered option of the three, and it has electric vehicle charge points. It has opened from early morning until about midnight, so check the hours if you're arriving late or leaving very early. Prices have matched the Dickson Road car park.
For a full week, all three have cost about the same.
Paying
- Most council car parks accept payment by phone through a parking app, as well as at the machine. The two big town-centre multi-storeys, including Talbot Road, have been the exceptions, so be ready to pay at the machine there.
- If you're staying several days, buy the multi-day ticket up front. It works out much cheaper per day than buying a day at a time.
Guesthouse discount passes
Some LGBTQ+ guesthouses sell discounted daily passes for the Banks Street car park to their guests. They usually come as scratch cards: you need one for each day, you scratch off the date and display it on the dashboard. A few things to know:
- You must collect and pay for the pass from your guesthouse before you park. A pass bought afterwards won't cover time already parked.
- Supply is limited, so ask when you book.
- Some guesthouses offer discounted parking vouchers for other car parks. Ask your host what they have.
Street parking
- Most streets in and around the quarter have resident permit zones or short time limits. Read every sign before you leave the car, especially on Lord Street and the side streets.
- Further north on Dickson Road, towards the Gynn, some guesthouses have unrestricted street parking outside, but you will then need to walk or take a taxi into the quarter.
Blue Badge holders
Blue Badge holders can usually park in marked disabled bays and, subject to local rules, on some restrictions. The rules in Blackpool's car parks vary, so check the signs at each car park. The station car park is small, but a share of its spaces are accessible. See our accessibility guide for more.
Big weekends
On Pride weekend, Illuminations weekends and bank holidays, the car parks fill up and the Promenade is closed for part of Pride Saturday morning. If you can, arrive on Friday or early in the day, or come by train.
Do you need a car at all?
Probably not. The quarter is next to Blackpool North station, the trams link it to the whole seafront, and most of what you'll do is walkable. If you drive, park once and leave it.