Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Parking: Car Parks, Prices & Getting Home

Heading to a show at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre? Here’s everything you need on parking near Exchange Street — which car park to use, what it costs, two things that catch people out on show nights, and how to get home without the hassle if you’d rather not drive.

Quick Answer

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre doesn’t have its own car park, but three council-run car parks sit right on or just off Exchange Street, all within a couple of minutes’ walk of the entrance. An evening visit typically costs between £2.30 and £2.80, and parking is free after 9pm Monday to Saturday. If you’d rather leave the car at home, ABC Taxis 247 can pick you up before the show and collect you after.

Car Parks Near the Theatre

All three are open 24 hours. Charges apply Monday to Saturday, 8am–9pm; outside those hours, and all day on Sundays and bank holidays, it’s a flat £1.80.

Two further multi-storeys, Walton Street and Upper Hundreds, are also within easy walking distance if the closer car parks are full — worth knowing during panto season, when demand around the theatre is at its highest.

Source: Buckinghamshire Council parking pages. Prices correct as of September 2026 — always check the council’s site or the payment machine for current rates.

Two Things to Check Before You Park

The Waterside car park’s ground floor has a 1.5-hour limit. It’s operated separately (linked to the Waitrose store) and priced differently from the rest of the car park. Most performances run longer than that, so if you’re parking at Waterside for a show, use levels 2 or 3, not the ground floor.

Hampden House multi-storey closes at 8pm. If your show starts at 7:30pm or later, don’t park there — you could find yourself locked in after the performance. Stick to Exchange Street, Waterside, or Waterside North, which are all open 24 hours.

What an Evening Show Actually Costs to Park

For a typical 3-hour visit (arriving around 7pm, leaving after a 9:30–10pm finish):

• Waterside: £2.30
• Waterside North: £2.70
• Exchange Street: £2.80

Since charges stop at 9pm, if you arrive after that, you may pay very little or nothing at all, depending on when you leave. Sunday and bank holiday visits are a flat £1.80 regardless of how long you stay. Blue Badge holders park free at all three.

Card payment is accepted at machines, along with JustPark, PayByPhone, RingGo and AppyParking.

Getting to the Theatre Without Driving

The Waterside Theatre sits on Exchange Street, HP20 1UG, in Aylesbury town centre.

• By train: Aylesbury station (Chiltern Railways, direct to London Marylebone) is around a 5-minute walk.
• By bus: The main bus station is within 200 metres of the theatre.
• By taxi: ABC Taxis 247 covers Aylesbury and the surrounding villages, available 24/7. Pre-booking is recommended for show nights so your driver is ready when you come out.

When a Taxi Makes More Sense Than Driving

Parking here is genuinely inexpensive, so a taxi isn’t necessarily cheaper if you’re driving alone. But there are situations where it works out better:

• You’re going as a group. Split three or four ways, a taxi fare can come in below the cost of parking plus fuel.
• You’re having a drink. The Waterside has bars on every level — if that’s part of your evening, driving isn’t an option anyway.
• You’d rather skip the exit queue. With a full house leaving at once, the car park machines and exits can take a few minutes longer than usual right after a show. A pre-booked taxi means you’re not waiting on that.
• You’re coming from outside Aylesbury. For villages like Haddenham or further out, a taxi removes the need to find your car in an unfamiliar multi-storey at 10pm.

If any of that fits, book ahead with ABC Taxis 247 so your driver is timed to meet you as the show ends.

Frequently Asked Questions