Parking in Swanage
There are lots of places to park in Swanage for cars, motorbikes, motorhomes, campervans and coaches.
All 5 of the visitor car parks located in the town centre provide pay & display parking and are owned and managed by Swanage Town Council.
There is also on-street pay & display parking for cars and motorbikes adjacent to the beach on Shore Road.
Ticket machines will accept coins (some machines also accept payment with a debit/credit card), however you can also pay with JustPark by mobile phone or smartphone App. Using JustPark allows you to add extra time onto your parking ticket without having to return to your vehicle. You can do this via the App, or by phone call or SMS text message from a mobile phone. You will need to set-up a JustPark account before using the SMS text message service for the first time.
JustPark car park ID numbers are as follows: Broad Road - 5950, Main Beach - 5951, Central (Co-op) - 5952, Mermond Place – 5953 and North Beach - 5954.
For those using Sat Nav systems, the nearest postcodes for each car park are shown in brackets.
Long stay car and motorbike parking in Swanage
There are 3 long stay car parks in Swanage, two of which are located near the beach and one near the Pier. All have parking for cars and motorbikes as well as accessible car parking spaces.
Charges apply 24 hours a day and tickets are available from 1 hour up to 24 hours, although no camping or overnight sleeping is allowed. A 3 day ticket and weekly ticket is also available by using the JustPark app and these are transferable between all 3 of Swanage Town Council long stay car parks.
If you are visiting the beach and also want to be close to the town centre, the Main Beach car park (BH19 1AP) on Victoria Avenue has 265 parking spaces. There is a market held here every Friday, however parking is still allowed on that day. It has 4 Electric Vehicle charging bays and free public toilets.
North Beach car park (BH19 1NL) on De Moulham Road is close to the northern section of the beach and the Beach Gardens Sports Park. This car park has 165 parking spaces as well as free public toilets.
Broad Road car park (BH19 2BB) is close to the Pier and town centre and has 210 parking spaces.
Short stay car and motorbike parking in Swanage
There are two short stay car parks in Swanage which accept cars and motorbikes only – both have accessible car parking spaces. One car park is near the Recreation Ground and one car park is next to the Co-Op Supermarket and Swanage Railway Station.
Charges apply from 8am until 7pm with tickets available to purchase for 1 or 2 hours. Please note, no camping or overnight sleeping is allowed in either car park.
Mermond Place car park (BH19 1DQ) is located behind the Recreation Ground and Santa-Fe Fun Park, close to the town centre. There are 80 parking spaces in this car park and there is a height restriction barrier at the entrance measuring 7ft 6ins (2m 28cm). There are also 2 Electric Vehicle charging bays and free public toilets in this car park.
Central car park (BH19 1HB) adjacent to the Co-Op Supermarket has 95 parking spaces. Visitors to Swanage Railway could also use this car park however there is a maximum time limit of 2 hours.
Parking for coaches, motorhomes and campervans in Swanage
There are 6 parking bays for motorhomes/campervans and 14 parking bays for coaches at the Main Beach long-stay car park on Victoria Avenue (BH19 1AP). There are also 73 extra-long parking spaces and free public toilets in this car park.
At North Beach car park (BH19 1NL) there are 14 parking spaces for motorhomes/campervans as well as free public toilets and a changing places toilet.
Broad Road car park (BH19 2BB) does not have dedicated parking bays for motorhomes or campervans, however they are permitted to park here. If the vehicle parks across two bays, two parking tickets will need to be purchased.
Swanage's Electric Vehicle charge points
There are 3 EV charging stations in Swanage town centre car parks operated by POD Point. All are 7kw chargers and are capable of charging two cars at the same time. Each bay has a 'Type 2' universal socket.
Four charging bays are located at Main Beach car park (BH19 1AP) and two charging bays at Mermond Place car park (BH19 1DQ). You must purchase a valid parking ticket while your vehicle is charging, and there is a maximum permitted charging time of 4 hours at Main Beach car park and 2 hours in Mermond Place car park.
Additional 22kw EV chargers are located on the edge of town at Durlston Country Park where there is a café, Visitor Centre and Castle to visit with free entry. Parking charges apply.
Accessible parking in Swanage
All five of the town centre pay & display car parks have accessible parking spaces. There is also a small parking bay for blue badge holders near the seafront and various roadside parking suitable for flat, easy access to the shops and beach – some of which is pay & display.
There are wheelchair accessible toilets at Mermond Place, North Beach and Main Beach car parks.
Read more on the Accessible Swanage webpage.
Plan Your Visit
More to see and do...
Attractions and Activities
From heritage attractions and crazy golf to sea fishing and diving, whether on land or at sea,...
Explore and Discover
Swanage is located on the Jurassic Coast - a natural World Heritage Site.
Travelling Around Swanage
Neighbouring villages and local landmarks can be reached by bus and train.
Dog Friendly
Many of the parks, attractions and eateries welcome dogs and Monkey Beach is dog friendly all year...