Finding Disabled Parking in Leeds City Centre

Leeds city centre is vibrant and bustling, filled with shops, theatres, cafés, galleries, offices and hospitals. But for drivers with reduced mobility, navigating parking can be one of the biggest challenges of any city trip. That’s where the Blue Badge scheme comes in — and Leeds has a wide selection of dedicated parking spots across the heart of the city so you don’t have to walk miles after you arrive.

Under the UK Blue Badge rules, badge holders can park on-street for free in pay-and-display and metered bays and use designated disabled bays, as long as the badge is clearly displayed and any parking clock is shown when required. In Leeds city centre there are over 100 dedicated spaces distributed across about 21 main locations, each placed strategically near key destinations. As disabled parking bays are subject to change, you can find any changes on the Leeds City Council website.

Below is a street-by-street breakdown of on-street Blue Badge parking spots and some extra tips on where to go for specific needs. This should help you plan a stress-free visit whether you’re heading to a show, hospital appointment or a shopping trip.

Central & Shopping Streets

These locations are ideal for visiting high-street stores, cafés, libraries and major attractions like the Corn Exchange and Victoria Quarter.

Calverley Street – one of the busiest disabled parking streets near The Light and Leeds Town Hall. Several bays here mean you’re a short walk from shops and restaurants.

Cookridge Street – central to city shopping and a short step from the central library and Trinity area.

Oxford Place – located in a quieter corner of the core city, still close to cafés and shops.

Oxford Row – pedestrian-friendly street with disabled bays serving nearby shopping zones.

Mark Lane / New Briggate – handy for those heading to the heart of Briggate and Boar Lane shopping.

Percival Street – small number of spaces near Hawksworth Street and central venues.

South Parade – quieter street with a handful of bays that are perfect for heading toward Millennium Square or Victoria Gardens.

Wormald Row – near the junction of Greek Street and Cookridge Street, close to city centre amenities.

St Anne’s Street – close to the city’s nightlife and restaurant quarter.

King Charles Street – quieter space right by Leeds Grand Theatre and the City Square.

Lower Basinghall Street – short hop from the Corn Exchange and city centre walkways.

Edward Street – close to Kirkgate Market and other local attractions.

Cross Belgrave Street / Bridge Street – useful if you’re visiting the northern quarter or heading for independent venues and eateries.

South east streets near Alexander Street & Rossington Street – a small cluster of disabled bays that are great for Millennium Square events.

Event & Entertainment Parking

If you’re heading to a show, gig or performance, the following streets usually have accessible parking within reasonable walking distance:

Tower House Street – popular with visitors heading to First Direct Arena and nearby venues.

Jacob Street – smaller disabled bay area also near the arena.

Waterloo Street – three on-street accessible bays that are frequently used when there are big events or shows on in the south-west of the city centre.

Hospital & Civic Visits

Appointments, medical visits and council services bring people into central Leeds regularly — and there are dedicated bays for those:

Central Road – this area has allocated disabled spaces (note some work-related timing restrictions may apply mid-day).

North Street and Park Street – good for visits around Leeds General Infirmary and civic offices. These streets often fill early, so it’s worth arriving ahead of appointments.

Special Spot Highlights

Here are a few more specific places people often mention because they are easy to spot, well-used or especially helpful for certain destinations:

Rossington Street – especially useful when heading to Millennium Square or theatre events — four-hour limit with badge and clock displayed.

Alexander Street & Calverley Street nearby – these fill quickly during weekend visits and local events.

Park Square North & Park Square East – a nice option if you’re visiting the business districts or heading into restaurants north of the centre.

Greek Street area – quieter side streets with space often available if the core streets are busy.

Tips for Blue Badge Users in Leeds

Blue Badge parking is free in on-street spaces as long as the badge is clearly shown and you follow any time limits or clock display requirements.

Always check the signs on arrival — Leeds has some timed restrictions and vehicle access rules on certain streets during peak hours.

If the on-street spaces are full, multi-storey car parks (like Woodhouse Lane) usually offer disabled bays too, though conditions vary so always read the local rules on site.

Planning your route and destination in advance can save a lot of stress — many people download the council’s disabled parking map to check exact street locations before they set off.

Leeds city centre does its best to balance busy pedestrian flows and vehicle access with genuinely useful disabled parking. With a bit of preparation and by knowing where to look, you can find a spot that puts you close to your destination and lets you enjoy your visit without unnecessary stress.

For disabled parking in another North West city, see my post: Finding Disabled Parking in Manchester City Centre.