Travel
Wareham Long-Stay Parking
Explore the Saxon walled town at your leisure by using one of Wareham's long-stay car parks
Continue readingCar Parks
There are several car parks in Swanage and across Purbeck, both long and short stay, ideally situated for beach or town exploring, or getting out into the beautiful Dorset countryside.
You’ll also find various free parking spots both in town and at more rural locations - handy for exploring the Purbeck Hills or the South West Coast Path, as well as in side streets in nearby towns and villages. [gallery type="single-slider" ids="11656,6604,8194,11748"] Most car parks allow you to use pay-by-phone apps, but some may be cash or card only. And some of the smaller parish car parks may simply ask for a donation. The main parking app in use in and around Swanage is the JustPark app. All location numbers for the app where relevant are given on the relevant car park pages. Simply register your payment card and vehicle registration details to use the app.Parking for the beach
If you want to park right by the sea, there's beach-front parking along Swanage’s promenade on Shore Road. Alternatively, park at one of these long-stay car parks, which are all a short stroll from sandy beaches and, often, handy amenities, such as shops, public toilets and places to eat.Swanage
All the car parks in Swanage are great for a day trip to the beach, but there are some key long-stay car parks close to the strand where you can leave your car for several hours or all day for a lazy day at the seaside. [caption id="attachment_7078" align="alignright" width="300"]
Sandy beach at Swanage[/caption]
- Main Beach car park - This is the largest long-stay car park in Swanage. It’s about a five-minute walk along one road from here to the central stretch of Swanage Beach
- North Beach car park - Park at North Beach for the middle and northern end of Swanage Beach, hotels, and kayak-hire in the warmer months
- Seafront parking - You can't get closer to the sea than this!
Studland Bay
Studland Bay has four miles of sandy beaches and is a short bus ride or drive from Swanage. You can also easily access the bay and its beaches if you’re coming from Poole or Bournemouth via the Sandbanks Ferry. The ferry also carries the No. 50 bus, which stops at various points near beaches in Studland and Swanage, where it terminates. All car parks at Studland are owned by the National Trust, so if you’re a member you can park for free. [caption id="attachment_4454" align="alignright" width="300"]
Knoll Beach has sweeping, golden sands[/caption]
- Knoll Beach Car Park - This is the main beach at Studland and has a large car park, National Trust shop, café and discovery centre
- Middle Beach Car Park - A smaller beach with historical interest and café
- South Beach Car Park - Located right next to Studland's village pub. South Beach also has a popular café and walking route to Old Harry Rocks
- Shell Bay Car Park - Visit Shell Bay bistro or walk amongst the heathland and dunes here
More coastal car parks
To explore more of the Jurassic Coast's local landmarks and coastline, you can continue your Dorset adventure from one of these popular spots: [caption id="attachment_3738" align="alignright" width="300"]
Overflow car parking for Lulworth Cove in the summer[/caption]
- Lulworth Cove Car Park - Visit the pretty cove and West Lulworth village
- Durdle Door Car Park - Walk down to Dorset's famous limestone arch
- Tyneham for Worbarrow Bay Parking - It's about a mile's walk from the abandoned village to Worbarrow Bay
Town & shoppers' car parks
Whether you need to make a quick stop for a food shop, are catching a film at The Mowlem, or want to spend a few hours exploring the town's shops, restaurants and bars, there's plenty of town-centre parking options in Swanage. Note that there is a short one-way system in town, which starts by the roundabout outside the Swanage Railway, and continues down Station Road, onto Institute Road and along High Street and Kings Road East. We've also included shopping car parks for Wareham as it's the closest town to Swanage just before you reach the Isle of Purbeck, coming from the A531.Swanage
Long stay parking
- Broad Road Car Park - Park at Broad Road Car Park for the southern end of town including Swanage Pier, The Downs and Peveril Point
- Main Beach Car Park - This large car park located off Victoria Avenue is perfect for parking for a day at the beach
- North Beach Car Park - A spacious car park at the northern end of town
Short stay car parks
- Co-Op - The Co-Op is located right next to Swanage Railway Station and close to all the town's amenities
- Mermond Place (Recreation Ground) - Town-centre parking great for children's amusements, shops, Budgens supermarket, cafés and the beach
On-street parking
Pay a minimal charge on Station Road to pop to the pet shop, bank, pharmacy or hardware store, or find free hourly parking on High Street for stopping for a beach stroll before picking up your fish & chips or takeaway.Station Road ons-street parking prices
- £1 for 30 minutes
- £1.50 for 1 hour
- Free from 6pm
Wareham
There are several car parks in Wareham, both long and short stay, which are all handy for supermarket shopping, eating out, nearby walks and boat trips on the river.- Short-stay parking - Wareham's short-stay car parks are handy for doing a bit of shopping in town
- Long-stay parking - Spend the day exploring everything Wareham has to offer
Free parking in Swanage
There are some free parking spaces along central roads in Swanage, such as High Street in town, where you can park for free for an hour. Typically this is between Monday to Saturday during the day, with evenings and Sundays having no time limit.
As with most towns you're likely to find further free on-street parking on some residential streets a short walk away from the main shopping area and beaches.
Useful places to look include Northbrook Road outside Day's Park and some of the roads in the Durlston area.
Some car parks are also free during evening hours, such as Co-Op Food on King's Road West, which is free from 7pm - 8am.
Disabled parking in Swanage
You'll find dedicated disabled parking spaces in all of the main Swanage car parks.
If you're a blue badge holder, simply display your badge in your windscreen and you can park for free for three hours.
You may also park with your badge displayed in any other parking space if no designated ones are available.
Note that all car parks in Purbeck are free for blue badge holders with the exception of the Purbeck Park car park at Norden.
Motorhome parking
[caption id="attachment_12002" align="alignright" width="300"]
Dedicated campervan parking bays, Main Beach car park[/caption]
Both Main Beach and North Beach car parks accommodate campervan and motorhome parking.
Note that if your vehicle takes up two spaces you'll need to pay double.
All car parks in Swanage do not allow overnight parking, camping or sleeping, but there are a number of excellent caravan sites and tourist parks in the area to stop for the night.
- Main Beach postcode - BH19 1AP
- North Beach postcode - BH19 1NL
Residents' parking
If you live in Swanage or Purbeck you can apply for a parking permit for certain areas in town. Find out more about residents' parking permits.Swanage Railway parking
If you're coming to Swanage to visit the Railway, there are various options for parking - leave your car at the park-and-ride at Norden and arrive into Swanage in style by steam train, or hop on a bus to take you the rest of the way. [caption id="attachment_6061" align="aligncenter" width="1170"]
Purbeck Park car park at Norden, near Corfe Castle[/caption]
The closest long-stay car park in Swanage itself for the railway is Main Beach on Victoria Avenue. Swanage Railway Station is under a five-minute walk from here.
Alternatively there is parking at Harman's Cross and Corfe Castle, both of which have stations along the train route.
- Purbeck Park - Just off the A351 before you reach Corfe, park here at Norden - the first stop on the Swanage Railway
- Main Beach Car Park - Find this large car park just off Victoria Avenue - the main road into Swanage town and beach
- Harman's Cross Station - Use the village car park opposite Harman's Cross village hall. You'll find this just off the A351 to Swanage, down Haycrafts Lane. Postcode: BH19 3EB
- Corfe Castle Railway Station - Park in one of the village car parks for Corfe Castle Station. The closest is on West Street, postcode: BH20 5HH
Village car parks for exploring Purbeck
Corfe Castle
Park for free as a National Trust member in the dedicated Castle View car park at the foot of Corfe Castle or pay for a day’s ticket. If you're approaching from Wareham the car park entrance will be on your left just before you reach the castle and village. [caption id="attachment_8799" align="alignright" width="300"]
Corfe Castle's village square[/caption]
There’s also a small section of free parking just to the right of this car park (along the road toward Church Knowle) and a further pay & display car park on West Street (postcode: BH20 5HH). This is located at Holland's Close, just off West Street. (JustPark location reference: 7715).
If you're combining your visit with a trip on the Swanage Railway you can park at nearby Norden's Purbeck Park. The castle is a 10-minute walk from here (note that part of the path is not suitable for wheelchair-users or pushchairs.) Postcode: BH20 5DW.
Free one-hour parking is available in the village square and on West Street itself.
Langton Matravers
There is a good-sized National Trust car park at Spyway in Langton Matravers. You'll also find some free on-street parking in the village. Park at Langton Matravers to visit the village pub, use the children's playground or head out on the walking trail toward Dancing Ledge. Spyway car park postcode: BH19 3HGHarman's Cross
There's a large car park in the village of Harman's Cross, situated between Corfe and Swanage - handy for village hall events, visiting the adventure playground here, or taking a trip on the Swanage Railway.
Harman's Cross Station itself is also worth a visit to see the restored station buildings and vintage posters, which evoke a bygone time.
Parking here is a £2 donation.
Harman's Cross car park postcode: BH19 3EB
Worth Matravers
[caption id="attachment_2166" align="alignright" width="300"]
Worth Matravers village and duck pond[/caption]
If you’re exploring the stunning walking trails around Worth Matravers or simply visiting its much-loved Square & Compass pub for a drink or to watch a band, there’s a good-sized, although very popular, car park in the village just up the road from The Square. Just pop a small donation in the box.
There may also be a limited amount of free on-street parking.
Park here also for Winspit - to fuel your walk stop at the kitchen window of Worth Tea Rooms for some delicious homemade cake, hot drinks and light bites.
Worth village car park postcode: BH19 3LE
Studland
Park at South Beach car park or Middle Beach car park for Studland village. Both are handy for a stroll around and to visit the Bankes Arms pub or The Pig on the Beach hotel & restaurant, which does itself have a small car park. Both of these eateries have great beer gardens with views to Old Harry Rocks.
There are various other tucked-away treasures to explore here, including a fascinating Norman church and a children's play area.
Kimmeridge
There is very limited parking in Kimmeridge village itself, with a small car park for customers of the popular Clavell's restaurant & café. [caption id="attachment_3763" align="alignright" width="300"]
The beach at Kimmeridge Bay[/caption]
You may find some on-street parking, but the bay has a large parking area directly above the short footpath down to the shoreline. There is also a second parking area to the left of this, handy for walking up to Clavell Tower. You'll also find public toilets here.
Parking for the bay itself is free, however access to the car park is via a toll road. The toll is currently £6 for a car.
Visitors to the Etches Museum can also use the main bay car park via the toll road.
East Lulworth
[caption id="attachment_2269" align="alignright" width="300"]
The Weld Arms pub, East Lulworth[/caption]
As well as the main car park in West Lulworth for Lulworth Cove, there is a small amount of parking in the neighbouring village of East Lulworth, which is a sweet spot for a small stroll and a visit to Past & Presents gift shop and tearoom or The Weld Arms pub, which also have their own parking spaces.
And if you’re visiting Lulworth Castle here for the day there’s plenty of parking in its grounds.
Note that all Lulworth Estate car park tickets are interchangeable, so the same ticket at the castle also allows you to park at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.
Walkers' car parks
The Isle of Purbeck has some of the best walking paths in the country, and there are many places in and around Swanage to start your day's hike or ramble. Many of the more popular trails are clearly signposted and way-marked, with dedicated car parks, although some are more off-the-beaten-track. Here's just a few starting points for keen walkers to park up and head out along some of the fantastic inland and coastal walking trails in this special part of Dorset.Durlston Country Park
If you're visiting Durlston Country Park for the day, there's a large on-site car park split into two adjacent sections - one close to the coast path and learning centre, and one right by Durlston Castle, the SeventhWave Café and some pretty woodland paths.
You can park here by the hour or all day. There's also a seasonal shuttle bus from town which is great for visitors staying in Swanage without a car.
Postcode for Durlston: BH19 2JL
Challow Walker’s at Corfe Castle for the Purbeck Ridgeway
If you’re heading up into the Purbeck Hills from Corfe you might be lucky enough to get a free spot at Challow (postcode: BH20 5JF), from where you can head straight onto the ridgeway path. There really is only room for a handful of cars here, however there is also some free parking close by on Sandy Hill Lane. Alternatively, there are two larger car parks in the village itself, one of which is a National Trust car park, and both have easy access onto the ridgeway or the vast and varied Corfe Common. If you're exploring this popular stretch of the Purbeck Hills from Swanage, there's an area of free lay-by parking at Ulwell close to the holiday park, with a (somewhat steep) path leading directly up to the obelisk on Ballard Down. You can then walk along the ridgeway and take the steam train or bus back to Swanage from Corfe Castle. (Nearest postcode for SatNav: BH19 3DG)Wareham Forest - Sika Trail
[caption id="attachment_10947" align="alignright" width="300"]
Sika Trail car park[/caption]
The main walkers' and cyclists' car park for the forest is at the Sika Trail, which is the closest to Wareham town.
Discover the seven-mile circular Sika Trail on foot or by bike, or for a quicker walk there's the Woodlark Trail, which starts from the same point.
Look out for sika deer in the trees as you stroll, and cosy up in one of Wareham's pubs or cafés after your walk for a local ale or coffee and cake.
Wareham Forest postcode: BH20 7PE
Chapman’s Pool & Winspit, from Worth Matravers
Renscombe car park is the most convenient for the somewhat challenging, but breathtaking, walk down to Chapman's Pool. The closest postcode for this is BH19 3LL, but the car park will be signposted from the village of Worth Matravers. For Winspit, park at Worth's main village car park for the pleasant walk down to the intriguing disused quarry. You can also walk to Chapman's Pool from the village of Kingston (park in the village or at Houns Tout car park: BH20 5LN)Dancing Ledge
[caption id="attachment_6914" align="alignright" width="300"]
Walking to Dancing Ledge from Spyway[/caption]
Park at the National Trust Spyway car park for a moderately challenging walk to Dancing Ledge and its tidal pool.
It's a flat, relatively even terrain for the most-part - you'll reach some excellent, sweeping coastal views, before a rather steep descent down to Dancing Ledge itself.
Postcode for parking: BH19 3HG (Turn into Durnford Drove off the main road in Langton Matravers and Spyway car park will be at the end of the road.)
You can also walk to the fascinating Spyway Dinosaur Footprints from here.
Poole Harbour Viewpoint
Take a pause on your journey to or from Corfe Castle to Studland by parking at the layby along the B3351 and be treated to stunning views over the Purbeck landscape toward Poole Harbour. You can walk into Studland's heathland toward the agglestone from here. During the warmer months there's often an ice cream van at the viewpoint for a welcome refreshment. Caution is advised on leaving this parking area as the road is hilly and winding immediately before and after the parking area. [caption id="attachment_1279" align="aligncenter" width="1170"]
View toward Poole Harbour from the lay-by on the B3351 Corfe to Studland road[/caption]
Swyre Head
Either Houns Tout or Sheep Pens car parks in the village of Kingston are great for getting out onto this stretch of the South West Coast Path, as well as visiting the highest point on the Isle of Purbeck, Swyre Head. Expect fantastic, panoramic views across the land toward Kimmeridge Bay and beyond. On a clear day you can see across to Portland. You can also walk to Chapman's Pool from Houns Tout - simply walk back into the village and follow the road by the church toward the track leading into the valley toward the sea.- Sheep Pens car park for Swyre Head - BH20 5LP
- Houns Tout postcode - BH20 5LN
Isle of Purbeck AONB Viewpoint
[caption id="attachment_5086" align="alignright" width="300"]
Grange Arch[/caption]
Park here for stunning, panoramic views on both sides of the Purbeck Ridgeway.
It's a short stroll to the quirky Grange Arch folly from the car park, and a good spot to pick up the Lulworth Range Walks when open.
There is often also an excellent pop-up café in an adjacent field during warmer months, (typically from 1 April - end of October). Keep an eye on the café's website for updates: popuponthehill.com
You'll find this free-to-park car parking area on Grange Hill (nearest postcode: BH20 5DF)
South West Coast Path
The South West Coast Path starts right here in Dorset and goes all the way to Minehead in Somerset, 630 miles away. You can pick the path up at various points, but if you're keen to try it from the start, Shell Bay is the place to park (free for National Trust members) for the first leg of your walk (postcode: BH19 3BA). The South West Coast Path in Purbeck consists of varying terrain, with some pleasant, easy stretches and some a little more challenging. [caption id="attachment_2044" align="aligncenter" width="1170"]
Start of the South West Coast path at Shell Bay[/caption]
