Three fantastic offers are available this month to get either free or cheaper stays in car parks in Aberdeen city centre – at the same time as free brick-filled trails including one with roarsome dinosaurs.
The offers – two of which are for council car parks and one for a private car park in a shopping centre – are on top of the two free trails during the October school holidays.
Denburn car park and Frederick Street car park both will have free parking for the last three weekends in October and the first weekend in November, covering the school October break and the start of the Christmas shopping period.
Seven council car parks also have parking for just £1 after 5pm. The car parks for this offer are Virginia Street, the Gallowgate, Frederick Street, Summer Street, Chapel Street, West North Street, and the Denburn. This offer is available in October. Motorists should be aware normal charging rates resume from 8am.
In the Trinity Centre Q-Park, there is 20% off pre-booked parking with the code ABRDN20 during October. This code and offer is valid until October 31.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “The three parking offers are a great way to take part in the two free dinosaur trails which are being held over the school October holidays.
“The trails promise a great family day out letting youngsters learn about dinosaurs in venues all over the city centre while having lots of fun at the same time.”
Aberdeen City Council Net Zero, Environment and Transport Vice Convener Councillor Miranda Radley said: “The parking offers will also be a boost for people coming into the city to start their Christmas shopping, going to see at show at His Majesty’s Theatre and other venues, or to have a look at what’s on in Aberdeen Art Gallery, the Maritime Museum and Provost Skene’s House.
“I’d encourage people to also take the time to visit local businesses across the city centre including shops, cafes, restaurants, and pubs, as we have a huge number of fantastic independent traders as well as major national retailers.”
The Iconic Bricks Dinosaur Trail, from 12 to 27 October, will include 18 brick dinosaur models located in various city centre businesses, including a stegosaurus, triceratops and adorable baby dinosaurs.
Also available will be the Hidden Lego Minifigure Competition, where small Lego figures have been hidden in 10 shop windows around the Upperkirkgate and Belmont Street area for people of all ages to find in a treasure-hunt style challenge. Once each minifigure is found, there is an opportunity to enter a prize draw to win an Aberdeen Gift Card worth £20.
Additional activities will be available throughout the October school holidays offering fun activities in various locations across the city that all ages can get involved with, including LEGO sessions, bookbug sessions, and animation.
Motorists are reminded while there have been changes recently to city centre roads, all city centre car parks can be accessed without going through the city centre bus gates. Motorists can still get to destinations, just by using a different route than they’re perhaps used to.
For the low emission zone, similar to those in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee, you can check if your vehicle is compliant online. Drivers of non-compliant vehicles can still access the city centre by using 10 out of the 14 city centre car parks - College Street, Union Square, Trinity Centre, Virginia Street, Frederick Street, West North Street, Gallowgate, Loch Street, Harriet Street, and Denburn.
Details on all the parking offers, the Iconic Bricks free dinosaur trail, the Hidden Lego Minifigure free trail, maps for both the trails, and inspiration about what other free fun activities are available in the city centre, is at Dinosaur trails & parking offers | Aberdeen City Council
The Iconic Bricks Dinosaur Trail and the free weekend parking offer received grant funding from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.