The cost of parking a vehicle in the two longstay town centre car parks in Swanage is to remain at £1 a day until Friday 31st March 2023 to help boost business through difficult economic times.
With the cost of living crisis biting and the Sandbanks Ferry out of action and not bringing daytrippers over from Poole and Bournemouth to Swanage, there’s been a reduction in footfall in the town centre.
Main Beach car park is just a short walk to the shops
Encourage more people to visit the shops
Swanage Town Council hopes that by keeping the cost of Broad Road and Main Beach car park at £1 a day, it will encourage more people to visit the shops.
A little further out of town, North Beach car park remains free throughout the winter.
This only applies to the car parks in Swanage which are owned by the town council. The on-street parking where charges apply, costs more and is controlled by Dorset Council.
North Beach car park in Swanage is free from 1st November to 31st March
Car park charges until 31st March 2023
Broad Road long stay car park – postcode BH19 2BB
- £1 a day for cars, coaches and motor caravans
Main Beach long stay car park – Victoria Avenue postcode BH19 1AP
- £1 a day for cars, coaches and motor caravans
North Beach long stay car park – De Moulham Road postcode BH19 1NL
- No parking charges
Mermond Place short stay car park – Recreation Ground postcode BH19 1DQ
- Cars 60p an hour (height restriction of 228 cm applies)
Central short stay car park – Co-op postcode BH19 1HB
- Cars 60p an hour
Great views from Broad Road car park for £1 a day over winter
Residents parking until 31st March 2023
Residents of Swanage and the surrounding villages of Langton Matravers, Studland, Worth Matravers, Harmans Cross, Corfe Castle, Kingston, Church Knowle, Kimmeridge and Steeple may apply to Swanage Town Council for a residents’ car parking permit which entitles the holder to free parking in certain car parks.
A £5 admin fee is charged for each new or replacement permit.
- Horsecliffe Lane parking near the Recreation Ground – free up to two hours
- Broad Road and Main Beach car parks – free up to 24 hours
- Central Co-op and Mermond car parks – free overnight parking between 7 pm and 10 am.
Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders in all car parks
Blue Badge holders
Spaces for Blue Badge holders are allocated in all car parks – the standard car park fee applies.
There’s free parking for residents’ parking permit holders visiting the Friday Market over the winter in Main Beach car park
“Support our local businesses”
Swanage Town Council visitor services manager Culvin Milmer said:
“We always try to keep our parking charges low over winter but I think it’s especially important to highlight the fact this year. We need to do all we can to support our local businesses.
“That includes getting the message out that it’s cheap to come and park in Swanage over the winter and there’s still plenty of things going on in the town. Especially when we get a bright sunny winter’s day, Swanage is a great place to visit, whether it’s to browse in the shops, grab something to eat or just to stroll along the beach.”
Further information
- More about Swanage Town Council parking charges or how to apply for a residents’ permit is on its website
