Bath Rugby Parking at The Rec: 2026/27 Season Guide
TL;DR — The Recreation Ground has no car park of its own, and almost all of central Bath is residents’ permit parking, enforced strictly. The nearest pre-bookable option is MatchdayParking.com at Hayesfield School, Brougham Hayes, Bath BA2 3QX — a 20 minute walk, £19.99 per car for every fixture. Parking on residential streets near the ground risks a Penalty Charge Notice of up to £70. Bath’s Clean Air Zone does not charge private cars.
Is there parking at The Rec?
No. The Recreation Ground has no car park of its own. It sits in the centre of Bath on the banks of the Avon, hemmed in by residential streets that are almost all permit-only.
That leaves three realistic options: a pre-booked space, one of the city’s Park & Ride sites, or the train.
Where to park for Bath Rugby
| Address | Hayesfield School (Brougham Hayes Campus), Brougham Hayes, Bath BA2 3QX |
| Walk to The Rec | 20 minutes |
| Price | £19.99 per car, every fixture |
| Opening time | Varies by kick-off — shown on each fixture’s booking page |
| Closing | Gates lock a set time after the final whistle |
| Overnight | Not permitted |
The site is a school, so access is only available on matchdays and only within the advertised hours. There is no overnight parking and vehicles cannot be left after gates close.
2026/27 fixtures at The Rec
Kick-off times for the 2026 fixtures are confirmed. Kick-off times for all 2027 fixtures are still to be confirmed, and car park opening times will be set once they are — each booking page shows the current times.
| Fixture | Date | Kick-off |
|---|---|---|
| Exeter Chiefs | Friday 2 October 2026 | 19:45 |
| Montpellier (Champions Cup) | Saturday 17 October 2026 | 20:00 |
| Sale Sharks | Saturday 31 October 2026 | 15:05 |
| Gloucester (Cup) | Saturday 14 November 2026 | 14:00 |
| Bristol Bears | Friday 4 December 2026 | 19:45 |
| Leicester Tigers | Saturday 26 December 2026 | 15:05 |
| Stade Français (Champions Cup) | Sunday 17 January 2027 | TBC |
| Northampton Saints | Saturday 23 January 2027 | TBC |
| Bristol Bears (Cup) | Saturday 6 February 2027 | TBC |
| Exeter Chiefs (Cup) | Saturday 13 February 2027 | TBC |
| Sale Sharks (Cup) | Saturday 27 February 2027 | TBC |
| Gloucester | Saturday 20 March 2027 | TBC |
| Newcastle Red Bulls | Saturday 17 April 2027 | TBC |
| Harlequins | Saturday 15 May 2027 | TBC |
| Saracens | Saturday 5 June 2027 | TBC |
Why you should not park on the street
Almost all of central Bath sits within a Residents’ Parking Zone. Parking in a residents’ bay without a permit risks a Penalty Charge Notice of up to £70, halved to £35 if paid within 14 days. Bath & North East Somerset Council enforces these zones strictly, and matchdays are no exception.
The streets immediately around The Rec — Bathwick, Pulteney Road, Great Pulteney Street — are among the most heavily enforced in the city.
Does the Bath Clean Air Zone affect me?
Probably not. Bath operates a Class C Clean Air Zone, which means private cars and motorcycles are not charged, whatever their age or emissions.
Charges apply only to commercial vehicles: £9 a day for vans, taxis, private hire vehicles and minibuses that do not meet emissions standards, and £100 a day for non-compliant buses, coaches and HGVs. The zone runs 24 hours a day, every day.
If you are driving a private car to the rugby, the CAZ is not something you need to think about.
Park & Ride and the train
Bath has three Park & Ride sites — Lansdown, Newbridge and Odd Down. Bath Rugby works with TravelWEST to extend services for evening fixtures so supporters can get back to their cars after the final whistle.
Bath Spa station is around a 10 minute walk from The Rec, with direct services from Bristol, Swindon and London Paddington.
Frequently asked questions
Is there parking at The Recreation Ground in Bath?
No. The Rec has no car park of its own. The nearest pre-bookable parking is at Hayesfield School, Brougham Hayes, Bath BA2 3QX, a 20 minute walk away.
How much is parking for Bath Rugby?
£19.99 per car for every fixture of the 2026/27 season when booked in advance through MatchdayParking.com.
How far is the car park from The Rec?
Hayesfield School on Brougham Hayes is a 20 minute walk from The Recreation Ground.
Can I park on the street near The Rec?
Not without a permit. Almost all of central Bath is a Residents’ Parking Zone, and parking without a permit risks a Penalty Charge Notice of up to £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
Does the Bath Clean Air Zone charge cars?
No. Bath operates a Class C Clean Air Zone, which does not charge private cars or motorcycles. Charges apply to non-compliant vans, taxis, minibuses, buses, coaches and HGVs.
What time does the car park open?
It varies with kick-off. Each fixture’s booking page shows the opening time for that match. Kick-off times for 2027 fixtures are still to be confirmed.
What time do I need to collect my car?
Gates lock a set time after the final whistle. There is no overnight parking at the site.
Book your space
All 15 Bath Rugby home fixtures for 2026/27 are open for booking now at £19.99 per car.
See all Bath Rugby fixtures and book parking
Last updated: September 2026.
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