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.

Green Flag Award new

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:

Facilities

Sports facilities

The park has a children's playground. You can find out more about playgrounds in the city.

The park also has:

Services

Points of interest

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

Preston Park 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

Contact us