Preston Park
Preston Park is the largest urban park in the city. Whether you want to take part in sports or sit and enjoy a picnic on a summer’s day, Preston Park is the perfect place to go.
Preston Park is the largest urban park in the city.
It's one of 8 parks in the city recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme.
Whether you want to take part in sports or sit and enjoy a picnic on a summer’s day, Preston Park is the perfect place to go.
Due to its size and location, the park is also used as a venue for:
- concerts
- circuses
- fairs
- family days
- other events
You can find out more about these, and how you can get involved with the park community, below.
Preston Park is also home to the 'Preston Twins', widely considered the largest and oldest elm trees in the world.
Opening times
The park is always open.
Chalet Cafe
Open every day from 10am to 5pm.
Rotunda Cafe
Open Monday to Friday from 9.15am to 4pm.
Open weekends from 9.30am to 5pm.
Getting there
You can reach Preston Park from Preston Road, Preston Drove and Preston Park Avenue.
View a map of the park's location.
You can download a guide to Preston Park (PDF 2.1MB) to print off and bring with you.
Bus
The 5 and 5A buses run between Hangleton and Patcham and go straight past the park every few minutes during the day.
Further information and timetables are available from the Brighton & Hove Bus company.
Cycling
There are cycle lanes leading to the park from the city centre.
We're planning to install additional cycle parking stands throughout the park by spring 2023.
Existing cycle stands are by the Chalet Café, and just outside the park at the northern end. There are also Btn Bikeshare bike hubs at this location.
Download your city cycling map here and visit our cycling page for more information on cycling around the city.
Car
There are parking areas at the north and south of the park, accessible from Preston Drove or the junction between Preston Road and Preston Park Avenue.
Parking restrictions will be enforced:
- between the hours of 9am and 4pm on weekdays
- between 2pm and 6pm on weekends
The pay and display costs are:
- up to 1 hour: £1
- up to 2 hours: £1.50
- up to 4 hours: £2.50
- up to 6 hours: £5
All other areas of the park, with the exception of the bays marked for Blue Badge holder's disabled parking, will be pedestrian-only zones.
We will publish details of the amount of money raised from the parking restrictions and what it has been spent on, in the park Management and Maintenance Plan.
Event organisers may apply for special arrangements for a limited period.
During events parking in the park may be difficult.
Welcome to Preston Park
Report a problem in the park
You can use our City Parks problem report form to tell us about any park problems.
Activities at Preston Park
Preston Park Rock Garden Conservation & Gardening Group meet every Wednesday.
For more information, send an email to cityparks.volunteers@brighton-hove.gov.uk, or phone 01273 292 929.
Preston Park Gardening Club meet every Thursday. Contact details are above.
Interested in volunteering at this park?
There are many ways to become involved in the community future of Preston Park:
- go to the Friends of Preston Park webpage to learn more about the park and its history and heritage
- visit our Parks Volunteering webpage
- use our events diary to find more events and activities at parks across the city
Facilities
Sports facilities
The park has a children's playground. You can find out more about playgrounds in the city.
The park also has:
- football pitches x4
- basketball courts x2
- tennis courts x8
- orienteering
- softball pitch
- rounders & stoolball pitches (on request)
- cycle velodrome
Services
- toilets, find out about public toilets in the city
- 2 cafes (Rotunda Cafe and Chalet Cafe)
Points of interest
- rockery
- walled and rose gardens
- Preston Manor
Walks
There's a friendly and popular 1.5-mile walk around Preston Park, meeting at the Rotunda Cafe at 10am on Mondays. Find out more about Healthwalks.
The Rockery
The Rockery is the largest municipal rock garden in the country. It's situated on the opposite side of Preston Road to the main park.
The Rockery is arguably the most bio-diverse garden in the city and also features twisting walkways, streams and waterways.
Get involved and find out more
- find out what park rangers are doing in your area
- find out more about our easily accessible parks
- donate a tree at this park