College Street Car Park is a council-run car park in Southampton city centre, popular for the Oxford Street dining area, St Mary’s Stadium and the eastern waterfront district. This guide covers the latest parking charges, opening times, payment options and nearby attractions.
College Street Car Park Southampton Parking Charges
This car park offers both short-stay and all-day parking, making it suitable for shoppers, theatre visitors and longer city-centre stays. The regular daytime and evening pricing tiers apply as follows:
| Parking Duration | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 2 hours | £2.80 |
| Up to 3 hours | £3.70 |
| Up to 4 hours | £4.60 |
| Up to 5 hours | £5.50 |
| Up to 10 hours | £9.00 |
| Over 10 hours (Daily Maximum) | £11.00 |
College Street Car Park Southampton Opening Times
The operating schedules and standard charging sessions for this location are detailed below:
- Opening Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Unlike the local multi-storey options, this surface lot has no overnight lock-up times.
- Charging Hours: Standard tariffs apply from 08:00 am until midnight, Monday to Sunday.
Where Is College Street Car Park?
The facility is located in the southeastern area of the city centre, offering straightforward vehicle access from major incoming routes.
- Address & Entrance: Opposite 14-18 College Street, Southampton
- Sat-Nav Postcode: SO14 3DZ
- Digital Coordinates: what3words: ///shout.share.drank
- Driving Approach: Follow the local road signage for City Zone South to guide you directly to the entry layout.
How to Pay for Parking at College Street Car Park
Southampton City Council manages this site using traditional pay-and-display physical layouts alongside modern mobile applications.
- Pay and Display: Upon arrival, park within a designated bay and use the on-site terminal machinery to buy a physical ticket with cash or card. Ensure your ticket is displayed face-up clearly on your front dashboard area.
- Mobile App Payments: Drivers can pay digitally through their mobile device by opening the PayByPhone application. The unique location identification code for this specific site is 805211. Please ensure you confirm your correct car registration mark inside the app interface prior to finalizing your payment session.
Facilities and Space Information
The layout of this open surface facility contains dedicated areas for distinct parking demands:
- Number of spaces: 168 open-air surface parking bays.
- Blue Badge bays: There are no wider, dedicated accessible spaces inside this particular surface lot. Blue Badge permits allow holders to use standard parking bays free of charge without time limit restrictions.
- Motorcycle spaces: Dedicated, marked motorcycle bays are available on-site. Motorbikes can utilize these specific bays free of charge with no time constraints.
- Height restrictions: An overhead entrance clearance restriction framework limits incoming vehicle heights to below 2.06 metres (6 feet 9 inches).
Places Near College Street Car Park
Parking at this facility places you a short walk away from the primary business, dining and cultural spots in the southeastern section of the city centre:
- Oxford Street restaurants: Located just a 3-minute walk away, providing immediate access to premium dining establishments, bistros, and cocktail lounges.
- St Mary’s Stadium: Around a 10 to 12-minute walk northeast, making it a highly useful matchday base for Southampton FC supporters.
- Ocean Village Marina: Accessible within a 10-minute stroll south, giving quick access to cinemas, luxury bars, and harbor tours.
- The High Street & City Core: Located a short distance westwards, allowing visitors to reach central shopping districts without hassle.
Alternative Parking Options Nearby
Because of its proximity to the restaurants on Oxford Street and stadium event routes, this surface lot can fill up quickly during peak hours. If you find the spaces are full, the best alternative options within a 5-minute radius include:
- Eastgate MSCP (SO14 3HH): A large council-run multi-storey option located close by on Eastgate Street, providing covered spaces under standard Group B parking rates.
- Gloucester Square Car Park (SO14 2GH): A neighbouring council-run surface lot located just a few streets away, serving as an excellent alternative for waterfront or town quay visits.
- Ocean Village Marina Car Park (SO14 3TJ): A large multi-storey parking facility managed privately by Premier Marinas, situated slightly south within the marina complex itself. It uses an automated ticketless barrier design and features standard hourly payment tiers alongside overnight parking options.
Is College Street Car Park the Best Option?
This car park is a highly practical choice for drivers seeking flat, open-air city-centre parking close to the southeastern business and dining districts.
- Convenience: The open-air, flat layout means you can pull in and park without navigating narrow multi-storey ramp structures or tight concrete internal pillars.
- Value: It accepts long-term resident anytime permits, making it highly valuable for local flat occupiers or extended weekday office workers.
- Limitations: Because it is completely open to the elements, your vehicle will not be protected against wet weather conditions or winter frost.
College Street Car Park Southampton FAQs
Can motorcycles park for free in Southampton council car parks?
Yes. Motorcycles can park completely free of charge with no time limits, provided they are parked inside the designated, marked motorcycle bays. If you choose to park a motorcycle in a standard car bay, regular parking charges apply and you must pay via the app or machine.
Do Blue Badge holders have to pay for parking?
No. Blue Badge holders can park free of charge with no time limit constraints across all open-air, surface-level council car parks in Southampton. This includes College Street Car Park, provided the valid badge is displayed clearly on the dashboard.
What happens if I am locked in a car park overnight?
College Street Car Park is an open surface facility that remains fully accessible 24 hours a day. Your vehicle cannot get locked inside overnight, removing the worry of clearing gates before a strict midnight closure window.
Can I park a motorhome or a large van in these car parks?
Only if it fits within a single marked bay and does not exceed 5 metres in length or 3.5 tonnes in weight. For this specific car park, any large vehicle must also safely clear the physical entrance barrier height limit of 2.06 metres.
How do I appeal a parking fine (PCN) in Southampton?
You can formally challenge a Penalty Charge Notice online through the official Southampton City Council portal within 28 days of receiving it. If you file your appeal within the first 14 days, the council will freeze the 50% early payment discount while your case is under review.
