If you’re seeking good options for parking in Swanage, then look no further, as we’ve got you covered.
For visitors unfamiliar with the area, navigating Swanage’s roads can be challenging, especially during the summer months when identifying available car parks becomes tricky as it’s so busy.
Often, many non-locals resort to parking along the seafront, paying steep fees.
To help you out, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about Swanage parking to ensure you know the best options.
Parking In Swanage: Your Options
There are many parking options throughout Swanage.
Below I have outlined some key options you’ll probably want to know.
You’ll see where to park for long stays, options close to the beach, and some free parking as well.
Lets get started!
Long Stay Car Parks In Swanage
You have three large council-operated long-stay car parks in Swanage and a small independent one.
They are as follows:
Broad Road Car Park
Just Park location ID: 5950
Address: Broad Rd, Swanage, BH19 2AP
Operating times: Open 24hrs
Pricing: From £2 per hour, £9 per day, £20 for three days, and up to £40 per week.
Daily tickets are transferable between the Main Beach and Broad Road car parks.
Three-day and weekly tickets are transferable between all the council-run long-stay car parks (Broad Road, Main Beach, North Beach). You will have to use the pay and phone service to do this.
Resident permit holders can park free between the 1st of November and the 31st of March. Click here for more info.
Main Beach Car Park (Victoria Avenue)
Just Park location ID: 5951
Address: Main Beach Car Park, Swanage, BH19 1PW
Operating times: Open 24hrs
Pricing: From £2 per hour, £9 per day, £20 for three days, and up to £40 per week.
Daily tickets are transferable between the Main Beach and Broad Road car parks.
Three-day and weekly tickets are transferable between all the council-run long-stay car parks (Broad Road, Main Beach, North Beach). You will have to use the pay and phone service to do this.
Resident permit holders can also park here for free between the 1st of November and the 31st of March.
North Beach Car Park (De Moulham Road)
Just Park location ID: 5954
Address: North Beach Car Park, BH19 1NL
Operating times: Open 24hrs
Pricing: From £1.60 per hour, £7.00 per day, £20 for three days, and up to £40 per week.
Three-day and weekly tickets are transferable between all the council-run long-stay car parks (Broad Road, Main Beach, North Beach). You will have to use the pay and phone service to do this.
Swanage Pier Car Park
Address: Pier Approach, Swanage BH19 2AP
Operating times: All year round except Christmas Day.
Winter (October – March): Daily from 9 am to 4 pm and 3 pm during December, January and February).
Summer (April – September): 9 am-5 pm on weekdays and 7 am to 5 pm on weekends.
Pricing: From £2.50 per hour to £11.50 per day in the summer and from £1.50 per hour to £8 per day in the Winter.
This car park has limited spaces and can usually get full quickly in the summer months, so Broad Road car park is your next closest long-stay car park in Swanage.
Parking Options Closest To Swanage Beach
Beach Front Parking (Shore Road)
You can’t get closer to the beach than this. This is a nice long road that runs along the beach.
However, beware, it’s not cheap.
You pay a premium to park here.
Address: Shore Road, BH19 1LB
Prices: From £4.30 per hour to £20.60 for 10 hours. You can park overnight (6 pm to 8 am) for £7.
Mermond Place (Recreation Ground)
This is a handy little car park which I use a lot. Just overlooking the beach with easy access to the town and Santa Fe Fun Park.
It’s cheaper than Shore Road and still very close to the beach (approx 2 mins walk).
Just Park location ID: 5953
Address: Horsecliffe Lane, Swanage, BH19 1DQ
Operating times: 24hrs a day, all year round.
Prices: Summer – Mon-Sun 08:00 – 19:00, Maximum stay 2 hours, 1 Hour £1.20, 2 Hours £2.10
Winter – Mon-Sun 08:00 – 19:00, 1 Hour £0.60, 2 Hours £1.20
Cars can park overnight for free in both the summer and winter between 19:00 and 08:00.
The following car parks have been mentioned before, so refer to the addresses previously stated.
Below is the walking distance from each to the beach.
Broad Road Car Park:
The estimated walking time from Broad Road car park to the beach is approx 7 mins.
North Beach Car Park (De Moulham Road):
The estimated walking time from North Beach car park to the beach is approx 5 mins.
Main Beach Car Park (Victoria Avenue):
The estimated walking time from Main Beach car park to the beach is approx 7 mins.
Swanage Pier Car Park:
The estimated walking time from Swanage Pier car park to the beach is approx 7 mins.
Free Parking in Swanage
The good news is there are options for free parking in Swanage.
You can park at the car parks mentioned below at certain hours without a fee.
You can also find free road parking without time restrictions throughout Swanage.
Here are the car parks and their times.
Central (Co-operative) Car Park
Address: 52 Kings Rd W, Swanage BH19 1HP
Just Park location ID: 5952
Cars can park here for free between 7 pm and 8 am.
Mermond Place (Recreation Ground)
Cars can park here for free between 7 pm and 8 am.
Click here to jump back to the address.
North Beach Car Park (De Moulham Road)
You can park here without charge between the 1st November and the 31st March each year.
Click here to jump back to the address.
Free Street Parking In Swanage
There are plenty of free road parking options throughout Swanage. Depending on how close you are to the town centre will affect the parking time limit etc.
Here are some free road parking options (car and motorcycles only) in Swanage without time limits.
Burlington Road
Beach Gardens
Gannetts Park
Rabling Road
See red pin drops.
Disabled Parking In Swanage
All the Swanage council-operated car parks have disabled/wheelchair-accessible parking.
Please note that a car park fee still applies to blue badge holders.
Parking With EV Charging Points
Swanage has a couple of options for parking with EV charging points.
Mermond Place (Recreation Ground)
Type 2 – 7.0 kW – Total 2
Main Beach Car Park (Victoria Avenue)
Type 2 – 7.0 kW – Total 4
There are other EV charging points in Swanage. Click here for more info.
