Long-Stay

Postcode: BH19 1AP

Park here for an easy day at the beach – just walk straight up Victoria Avenue and you’ll reach the sea within five minutes.

You’ll also pass by the town as you stroll down, so you can make a quick detour to the shops to stock up on beach supplies and picnic food.

It’s also a handy place to park for King George’s playground, Swanage Golf Games and the Friday Market.

Parking charges

Park by the hour, for the day, for three days or for a whole week:

• Hourly – Park from £1.50 for an hour, or £1.80 in high season
• Daily – A day ticket costs £8 and is also valid at Broad Road Car Park
• Three-day or weekly tickets – You can get a three-day or weekly car parking ticket at Main Beach, which is handy if you’re staying at a nearby B&Bs that may not have its own parking

JustPark park location number: 5951

Main Beach Car Park also has coach and campervan parking, as well as electric vehicle charging points.

Postcode: BH19 1NL

Located at the northern end of town, North Beach Car Park is handy for the middle and northern end of Swanage beach, walking in the Purbeck Hills and visiting the hotels or pubs at this end of town for a meal.

It’s a bit further away from the town’s main shopping area and entertainment, but there’s a waterfront bar and public toilets, as well as kayak-hire with Ocean Bay on the strand in the warmer months.

Parking information and prices

• Park for the day at North Beach from just £1.50
• A day-ticket here is just £6

JustPark location ID – 5954

Parking postcode – BH19 2BB

This large long-stay car park is convenient for various pubs and restaurants including la Trattoria and The Ship Inn, as well as for exploring Swanage Pier or a quick scamper on the town’s year-round dog-friendly beach.

It’s also the nearest car park to the town’s amphitheatre located in Prince Albert Gardens, which holds  performances and plays host to various festivals throughout the year.

You’ll find Broad Road car park by following High Street to the southern end of town.

Turn right up the hill by Gee Whites and East Bar onto Seymer Road and the car park at Broad Road will be on your left.

Parking prices

• Hourly – Park from £1.50 for an hour to just over £6 for four hours, or up to £7.20 for six hours. If you’re arriving in the evening it’s just £1 from 6pm for the duration of your parking (until 8am the following day)
• Daily – A daily car parking ticket (£8) is also available and can also be used at Main Beach Car Park
• Three/seven-day tickets – You can pay for a three-day or weekly car parking ticket at Broad Road, which is handy if you’re staying at one of the local B&Bs that may not have dedicated parking, or if you’re staying in a neighbouring Purbeck village, but want the ease of being able to come and go to Swanage as you please. This pay-by-phone only parking ticket is valid in all long-stay Swanage car parks.

JustPark location – 5950

Parking prices vary slightly according to whether it is high or low season – visit the town council’s parking large for full information: www.swanage.gov.uk/carparkcharges.aspx

Purbeck Park – for Swanage Railway

Postcode for SatNav: BH20 5DW

If you’re coming via Wareham/the A351, simply turn into the large parking area at the Norden roundabout (just before Corfe Castle) and from there you can hop on a heritage steam or diesel train into Corfe itself, or continue on to Harman’s Cross and Swanage.

You can also pick up the Number 40 bus to Swanage here, hire a bike, or head out into the countryside along walking trails.

Purbeck Park is also the best place to park for visiting the Purbeck Mineral & Mining Museum.

There’s also a small children’s play area and refreshments kiosk here.

Car park opening times and charges

JustPark location no: 7712

The car park is open daily from 7am – 7pm, and charges apply from 8am – 6pm.

Tickets are £4 for the day for cars and £7 for motorhomes.

Train tickets can be booked direct on the Swanage Railway website.

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 car park postcode – BH19 1AP
• North Beach postcode – BH19 1NL