To address the financial deficits facing the Authority and in line with the directive from Welsh Government to increase income we are piloting the introduction of ANPR systems in our car parks.
The pilot has been introduced to help manage the National Park Authority’s car parks more effectively, ensure the correct parking charges are paid, improve the visitor experience and contribute towards the ongoing management and maintenance of the sites.
ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) is a camera system that reads vehicle number plates as vehicles enter and leave a car park.
It records the time a vehicle arrives and departs, helping to manage parking fairly and efficiently. The system does not record who is driving the vehicle, and all data is handled in line with GDPR and relevant data protection legislation.
The new system will be implemented from 15th March 2027 (ahead of the main season)
Cae Llan (short stay) will continue to be a Short Stay car park up to 2 hours stay, with cars allowed to park overnight from 18:00 to 08:00 for the overnight tariff of £1.00.
We have received regular comments and complaints regarding the lack of short stay parking in the village and recent data has shown that vehicles are currently parking for lengthy periods at Cae Llan. This change will bring about improvements to the availability of short term parking spaces (up to 2 hours max. 08:00 until 18:00 daily)
Betws y Coed Station Road (Long Stay) will continue to be the long stay parking option with the existing tariff implemented. Feedback is sought on the addition of a 1 hour tariff @ £1.50 to provide further options for short stay users. Any enhancements to the existing tariff will be considered and decided by the full Authority.
We are preparing a planning application for the new system at both Cae Llan car park (short stay) and Betws y Coed Station Road car park (long stay). We expect to submit the application in late September 2026, after which it will be considered by a future Planning Committee. The process will include a public consultation period, giving consultees and members of the public an opportunity to comment before a decision is made.
The system will operate all year round.
We are holding a drop-in session for businesses in the Tourist Information Centre on Thursday 17th September between 15:00-19:00 to share information and answer any further questions you may have.
The ANPR system will be managed on behalf of the Eryri National Park Authority by Initial Parking. They operate in accordance with the British Parking Association (BPA) Code of Practice and comply with all relevant DVLA and Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) regulations to ensure that personal data is processed securely and appropriately. Initial Parking currently manage the St Mary’s Church car park in the village of Betws y Coed along with several other car parks throughout North Wales.
An enhanced Community Fund has been allocated that is funded from parking revenues to support community events and projects. For further information please see: Eryri Community Funds – Park Authority
Up to 1 hour free parking will be available for local and leisure opportunities in the long stay car park on a daily basis, for one visit during these time periods:
- One hour free parking between 02:00am & 08:00
- One hour free parking after 17:30 until midnight.
Yes. If you regularly use Eryri National Park Authority car parks, you may wish to purchase an Annual Parking Permit. The permit allows unlimited parking in participating National Park Authority pay and display car parks for one year (1 April to 31 March) for £120. This specifically excludes Cae Llan (Short Stay) and Pen y Pass.
You can find the permit application process on our online shop.
As the current provision effective from March 2026 Blue Badge holders receive double the standard parking time allowance. To benefit from this provision, please ensure your valid Blue Badge is scanned when paying for parking and inputting your vehicle registration. Blue Badges must be clearly displayed on your vehicle dashboard at all times during your visit.
Overnight camping is not permitted at any National Park Authority car parks. Visitors wishing to stay overnight are encouraged to use one of the many designated campsites within and around Eryri National Park.
Yes, however this is a pilot scheme which will be monitored and reviewed throughout the season. Feedback from users and Community Councils will be considered before any future permanent decisions are made.
If you have any questions about the pilot scheme, would like to provide feedback or wish to make a comment, please contact the Eryri National Park Authority at parc@eryri.llyw.cymru
This is not correct. In 1938, the landowner, the Ancaster Estate, granted a 999-year lease for part of the land, including the current Cae Llan car park, to the former Betws-y-Coed Urban District Council. Through subsequent local government changes, responsibility for the lease transferred to Eryri National Park Authority in 1996.
The original lease included a condition that no charges could be made for using the car park.
In 2015, the Estate and the Authority agreed a formal variation to the lease which removed the restriction on charging for parking and introduced an arrangement for the Estate to receive a share of the car park income. This agreement enabled the Authority to introduce pay-and-display parking at Cae Llan. The lease and variation have been registered with the Land Registry.