Bentall Centre Car Park A and B: Access, Tips and Checks

The Bentalls Centre car park opening times are not something to guess at, because Kingston’s shopping-centre parking can run to different hours from the shops themselves, and Car Park A and Car Park B may not follow identical rules. The quickest reliable route is to check the Bentalls Centre website or the sign at the barrier on the day, then choose the car park closest to the part of Kingston upon Thames you actually want to visit.

Why Car Park A and Car Park B are worth telling apart

Big town-centre shopping complexes tend to grow in stages, and their parking grows with them. The result is often more than one structure or zone, each with its own entrance road, its own stairwells and lifts, and sometimes its own closing arrangements. In Kingston, the Bentalls Centre sits right in the middle of the town, so the car park you pick can change whether your first steps take you towards the Market Place, the high street, the bus stops or the river side of town.

A small amount of planning therefore goes a long way. Open a map before you set off, find the entrance you want to be near, and note which car park the signs steer you towards as you come into the centre. Signs and one-way systems are frequently updated around Kingston, so a route you remember from a few years back may not still apply.

Bentalls Centre car park opening times: how to confirm them

Opening hours for car parks are set by the operator and the centre, and they can vary between weekdays, weekends, bank holidays and the Christmas period. Because of that, any figure quoted on a random page is likely to be out of date. Use these checks instead:

1. Visit the official Bentalls Centre website and look for the page on parking, getting here or visitor information.
2. Read the notice board at the entrance as you arrive. It usually shows the tariff, any overnight rules and the latest time you can leave.
3. If you plan to eat or watch a film in the evening, ask yourself when you will realistically return to the car, then compare that with the last exit time.
4. Phone the centre’s customer service number if the website is unclear. Take the number from the official site, not from a third-party listing.

It is worth separating two questions that people often merge: when the car park is open for entering, and when you can still get out. Some car parks let you leave at any hour after paying, while others lock barriers or close levels. If the rules are not obvious, ask a member of staff before you walk away from the car.

What to check at the entrance

Check	Why it matters
Height barrier	Vans, high-top cars and roof boxes may not clear it, and reversing out of a queue is no fun.
Tariff board	Charges can differ by length of stay, time of day and day of the week.
Last exit or closing time	Essential if you are staying for dinner, a show or late shopping.
Payment method	Pay on exit, pay at a machine, a phone app or number plate recognition each work differently.
Accessible and parent-and-child bays	These are normally near lifts, so look for them on the first levels.
Electric vehicle charging	Confirm whether chargers exist, what connectors they use and whether they carry a separate fee.
Validation	If a shop or cinema validates tickets, find out how long the discount lasts.

A calm routine for your visit

1. The day before, look at the official site for closures, events or works that could affect access.
2. Set off early on Saturdays, during school holidays and in the run-up to Christmas, when the nearest levels fill first.
3. Drive in slowly and follow the lane signs for drivers with tickets, season-pass holders or pay-by-plate systems.
4. Once parked, take a photo of the bay number and the level sign, plus any colour or animal zone marker.
5. If you take a paper ticket, keep it with you, not in the car.
6. If you need to pay at a machine, do it before you get to the barrier, then allow a few minutes for the queue.

Accessibility and family needs

If you use a Blue Badge, or you are travelling with a pushchair or a wheelchair user, look at the layout before you commit. Lifts, wider bays and step-free routes into the shops are usually close to certain entrances. The centre’s website should explain what is available, and customer services can answer specific questions. It is also sensible to ask whether the accessible bays are on a particular level, since a free bay on a different floor may not help you much.

Common mistakes with Kingston shopping-centre parking

Drivers regularly mix up the several car parks in Kingston town centre, then find they have paid on one system but parked on another. Another classic slip is trusting a validation without checking how many hours it covers, so that extra time is charged at the standard rate. If you pay by app or online, type your registration carefully: one wrong character can lead to a penalty notice that is irritating to appeal.

It also helps to be realistic about time. A trip that starts as a quick errand can stretch into a lunch, and the cheapest short-stay ticket may turn out to cost more than a longer stay. Look at the structure of the tariff board before you pick a duration.

If both car parks are full or you want another option

Kingston has several other town-centre car parks, run by the council and private companies, and you will see signs pointing to them as you come into the centre. Our guide to car parks in Kingston upon Thames compares the main options so you can plan a fallback.

You can also skip the driving altogether. Kingston station has direct trains from London Waterloo, and many bus routes serve the town. If you would rather be dropped off, it helps to know how to compare firms when booking a cab, as we explain in our piece on booking a taxi and comparing local operators. For general advice on parking charges and penalty notices, the government’s guidance at GOV.UK is a reliable starting point.

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

For a hassle-free trip, treat Car Park A and Car Park B as separate places: confirm the hours, decide on the nearest entrance, check the height limit and take a photo of where you leave the car. With the official website and the entrance signs as your final word, you will avoid most of the usual Kingston parking surprises.