Residents near King Charles' country home at Highgrove face the challenge of paying some of the highest parking permit fees in the UK—yet still struggle to find parking spaces because of the influx of tourists.
In Tetbury, a picturesque town located merely two miles from Highgrove, locals pay over £600 annually for a parking permit. This fee is more than double the cost of permits in affluent London boroughs such as Kensington and Chelsea (£257) and Westminster (£321).
Many residents rely on the West Street car park, which costs around £640 for a season ticket. Although half of the parking bays there are reserved for locals, residents frequently find no available spots due to heavy demand.
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“We’re proud to have King Charles at Highgrove, but the sheer number of tourists has turned Tetbury into a makeshift car park,” said one resident. Steve Tayler, aged 72, highlighted the problem: “£600 a year is a lot, and with no guaranteed allocated spaces, parking becomes a free-for-all.”
John Evans, 87, recounted seeing a coach full of German tourists parked in West Street and noted that large vehicles regularly occupy the car park. “It happens all the time—it’s crazy,” he said.
Another local, Kenneth Ford, 68, expressed frustration: “Paying £600 a year and not having a guaranteed space feels unfair. The system favors visitors over residents.”
Safety concerns add to residents’ grievances. Annie Bowen, 78, described an incident where a car rolled into hers, causing £3,500 in damages. “There’s no CCTV or protection; it’s expensive and unsafe,” she said.
Dee Buss, 78, has had a permit for eight years and noted escalating prices. She also explained that the increase in Airbnb rentals and second homes worsens parking difficulties. “Neighbors, including an elderly disabled lady, have been blocked from leaving their homes,” Buss said.
Another resident pointed to demographic changes since the Covid pandemic: “Many people now work from home here but rarely use their cars, leaving vehicles parked for long durations. It all adds up.”
While the council offers free parking at the Old Railyard car park, Cotswold District Council’s portfolio holder for parking, Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, acknowledges the challenges. “Half of the bays at West Street car park are allocated to season ticket holders, but these tickets don’t guarantee a space,” he said. Hodgkinson emphasized that opportunities to expand parking are limited, but the council remains committed to engaging with the community to address concerns.
Buckingham Palace was contacted for comment.