Craigavon is unusual among Northern Ireland towns because so much of its parking is free. The big draw is Rushmere Shopping Centre, where the large surface and multi-storey car parks are free for shoppers, making it the easiest place to leave the car if you are heading to the shops, the cinema or the food court. Nearby Craigavon Central, the Civic Centre and the Lakes area also offer generous free parking, and the layout of the town with its wide roads and roundabouts means you rarely have to drive far to find a space.
If you are visiting the older town centres of Portadown or Lurgan, which sit within the wider Craigavon Borough, the picture is a little different. Portadown has pay-and-display and time-limited on-street bays around High Street and Thomas Street, plus council car parks off Edward Street and Meadow Lane. Lurgan has similar on-street restrictions around Market Street and free and paid options near the train station and Lurgan Park. Always check the signage on each street, as free periods, maximum stays and disc-zone rules vary from one block to the next.
Find live parking in Craigavon →Yes, plenty. Rushmere Shopping Centre, Craigavon Central, the Civic Centre and the Lakes area all offer free parking, which is why most people heading to the shops or leisure facilities park there. In the older Portadown and Lurgan town centres parking is more often pay-and-display or time-limited, so check the signs before you leave the car.
Council car parks and on-street bays in Portadown and Lurgan are generally free in the evenings and on Sundays, but always read the signage as some bays keep restrictions. The free car parks at Rushmere and the Lakes follow the centre and facility opening hours, so they are handy for evening cinema trips or weekend visits to the lake.
Avoid the time-limited and disc-controlled on-street bays around Portadown's High Street and Lurgan's Market Street if you plan a long stay, as overstaying can earn a penalty. Use the nearby council car parks off Edward Street, Meadow Lane or near Lurgan train station instead, and keep clear of double yellow lines and loading bays on the busy main shopping streets.