Thickthorn
Thickthorn Park & Ride, from First Bus
Conveniently located just off the A11, our site at Thickthorn is the perfect choice for those heading in to the city from the South, and West of the county.
Thickthorn Park & Ride
Fast, convenient travel into Norwich for those coming from the South & West of the country. Park for free and continue your journey by bus on our zero-emission electric buses.
PR1: Sprowston Park & Ride - Norwich City Centre
PR1: As little as 17 minutes to the City Centre (Castle Meadow)
PR1: up to every 14 mins
726 parking spaces inc. 21 disabled spaces and 18 family spaces.
Getting here
Address:
Thickthorn Park & Ride, Norwich Road, NR9 3AU
What3Words:
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Conveniently located just off the A11
Service information
- Route: PR1 operates 7 days a week
- Destination: Airport P&R, via Norwich City Centre
- Frequency: Up to every 14 minutes
- Operating Hours: The first bus leaves Thickthorn Park & Ride at 05:57 during the week, at 06:40 on Saturdays, and at 08:30 on Sundays and Public Holidays. The last bus back to the site leaves Castle Meadow at 20:14 on weekdays and Saturdays, and at 17:31 on Sundays and Public Holidays.
If you're travelling home later, don't worry! We've got you covered. After 18:00, your ticket is also valid on our Turquoise Line 13 and Green Line 14A services. These buses operate until late, and stop just outside the Park & Ride site throughout the evening. The last bus back from the City leaving Castle Meadow is at 23:15. Note: these buses (13/14A) do not call at Norwich Bus Station, please use St Stephens Street instead.
If you do happen to miss that last bus back, you can still enter the Park & Ride on foot. Once you've retrieved your car, drive up to the barriers slowly, and they'll open automatically to allow you to exit.
Prices
You can grab you Park & Ride tickets in advance on the FREE First Bus App, or simply pay on the day with cash or by contactless when you board the bus. Easy peasy!
- Adult Day: £3
- Young Person 5-19 Day: £2
- Concession Day: £2
- Duo Day*: £4
- Group Day**: £5
*Duo Day is valid for any two people travelling together, all day.
**Group Day is valid for a group of up to five people of any age, travelling together, all day.
How Park & Ride works
Drive
Travel to our easy to reach Park & Ride and follow signs to the car park.
Park
Parking is free in any marked bay — all you need to do is pay for your bus journey.
Catch the Bus
Board one of our frequent, electric buses. Relax, sit back, and leave the traffic to us - it’s all part of the ride!
Enjoy your day
Get dropped off right where you need to be. Whether it’s for shopping, exploring the city’s attractions, or enjoying some leisure time. Once you're done, simply catch the bus back!
Want to visit one of our other Park & Ride Sites?
Useful tools
Journey Planner
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Download the First Bus App
Travelling by bus on Norwich Park & Ride couldn't be easier!
Frequently Asked Questions
Parking
Overnight parking is not permitted at Sprowston Park and Ride. Check the opening times for the site before you travel.
No, overnight parking is not permitted, so vehicles cannot be left on site for consecutive days. However, you’re welcome to use the Park & Ride service on multiple days — as long as you leave the site before closing each day and return to park again the next day.
Customers may not park without using the Park & Ride service or displaying a valid permit. Please note that you can walk to the Park & Ride site and then pay to use the bus into Norwich.
All our sites are equipped with Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) and proudly hold the Park Mark Safer Parking Award. However, whilst all of these provisions are in place, in line with most car parks, parking of any vehicle is entirely at the owner’s risk.
You can still enter the Park & Ride site on foot. Once you’ve retrieved your car, drive up to the barriers slowly and they’ll open automatically to allow you to exit.
How to use the Service
Parking is free, so simply park in a marked bay, and head over to the bus stop, then pay for your travel on the bus
Thickthorn Park & Ride is situated on the A11/A47 junction. The postcode is NR9 3AU
No, there’s no need to book. Simply follow the four easy steps: drive to the site, park for free, buy your ticket on the bus, and ride into Norwich.
No, no registration is required. Simply park up for free, board the P&R service, purchase a ticket from your driver and enjoy your day!
Yes, your park & ride day ticket is valid for as many journeys as you need.
No, you can’t. Our Park & Ride tickets are only valid for journeys that start at the Park & Ride site. If you’re starting your journey from any other bus stop, normal fares apply
Stops & Destinations
Don't worry - our buses are fitted with next stop visual audio announcements to help you know when you’re arriving into the city. The driver will be happy to help if needed, and you can also use the First Bus app to track where you are along the route.
Both! The PR1 stops at both the bus station, and Castle Meadow so you can get as close as possible to wherever you’re heading.
No, but if you get off at Tombland the station is just a short 10 minute walk down Prince of Wales Road.
Payment & Tickets
Find a parking space and park your car free of charge. Then, simply board the next bus into the city and pay the driver with cash or a contactless debit/credit card if you haven't already bought your ticket from the First Bus App. Full details of all our tickets & fares for Park & Ride can be found above
There are no period tickets available for the Park & Ride, but at just £3 for unlimited trips each day, you’re already saving!
Unfortunately not, but we do offer a discounted ticket for concession pass holders at the cost of £2.
Yes, group tickets are only valid if you’re travelling together. This is because you’ll only get one ticket for your group, not a ticket each.
A Group Day is valid for a group of up to five people of any age, travelling together, all day. A Duo Day is valid for any two people travelling together, all day.
Vehicle & Site Restrictions
Vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes, trailers and touring caravans are not permitted to park within the site.
Accessibility
Yes, each bus has one dedicated wheelchair space, and a further flexible space for pushchairs and buggies.
Facilities
Our Thickthorn P&R site has a range of facilities including:
- 726 Parking Spaces, 21 Disabled Spaces, 18 Family Spaces
- Toilets
- Accessible Toilet
- Real Time Bus Information
- Sheltered Waiting Areas
- Motorcycle Parking
- Sheltered Cycle Parking
- Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
Pets
We welcome well-behaved dogs on leads on all of our buses, but please keep them off the seats.
Support
Contact the First Bus Lost Property Team using our dedicated lost property page, our team will check to see if it has been handed in. If we have an item matching the description, we will contact you to provide you with a lost property reference and a time and place of where you can collect the item from. Any lost property found on our vehicles, providing the item is not perishable, will be kept for one month.
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