Does the car park actually close? Currently at Center Parcs Penrith and planning to escape the compound at dawn for a spin at Whinlatter. Will I be able to get on the car park?

‘Proper’ lakes riding planned later in the week 😜

I don’t remember there being a barrier at the main visitor centre.

And even if there was, there are two or three car parks further back towards Braithwaite which you could use.

Cool, thanks 👍

As you go up the whinlatter pass/road , before the main entrance to the car par there are some smaller car parks on the left. They never close.

The main vc / shop car park had a locked barrier when I went on an mtb leader course 18 months ago (early start and we had to faff as the lock was frozen)

or just be a total cock – park on the verge just outside the gates.  You’ll see where I mean by the mudfest and massive tyre tracks dug in the grass