the following parking options are the most convenient for visiting the folly

Westgate Centre Car Park

The large car park at the Westgate Centre off Oxpens Road / Thames Street is just a few minutes walk from The Folly (OX1 4JU). The walk takes 5- 10 minutes, part of it along the river if you wish. Parking charges are around £5 for a typical three hour stay. Free electric vehicle charging is available. You will need to walk east along Thames Street (A420) to Folly Bridge or turn on to the river towpath and follow this to Folly Bridge.

on street parking

On street parking is available a few minutes walk away on Marlborough Road, opposite the Ethos Hotel (OX1 4LF).  This is restricted to 2 hours. On street parking is also available on Whitehouse Road (OX1 4NA) . During the day this is also restricted to 2 hours but is unrestricted after 4pm. 

Park And Ride

Oxford has five park and ride car parks on the outskirts with frequent bus links to the City Centre. Information on Park and Ride, including a location map, is available at http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decTS/Park_and_Ride_occw.htm . 

The most convenient services for The Folly are from Pear Tree (north of Oxford accessed from A34, A40 and A44) and Red Bridge (south of Oxford accessed from A34 and A423). Once you have parked, pay at the machine by the bus stop (currently £2 for up to 24 hours). You do not need to display a ticket on your car as a number plate recognition system is used. From either of these car parks take a number 300 bus (adult return fare currently £2.70) to Oxford Crown Court / Oxford Police Station in St Aldates. These bus stops are 3 minutes’ walk from The Folly.

From the other park and ride car parks busses run into the city centre which is about 10 minutes’ walk from Folly Bridge.

If using the park and ride services (apart from Redbridge) allow about three quarters of an hour from arrival at the car park to arrival at The Folly. Redbridge is closer to The Folly so 30 minutes is sufficient from this car park.

Blue Badge holders

Blue badge holders are generally permitted to park in on street resident bays on Western Road (approximately 100 yards from the moorings).