Gloucester Square Car Park is a council-run car park in Southampton city centre, popular for the historic High Street, the Town Quay waterfront and the bars and restaurants on Oxford Street. This guide covers the latest parking charges, opening times, payment options and nearby attractions.
Gloucester Square 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 | £2.90 |
| Up to 3 hours | £3.80 |
| Up to 4 hours | £4.70 |
| Up to 5 hours | £5.60 |
| Up to 10 hours | £9.00 |
| All Day (Daily Maximum) | £11.00 |
Gloucester Square 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 Gloucester Square Car Park?
The facility is located in the southeastern area of the city centre, offering straightforward vehicle access from major incoming routes.
- Address & Entrance: Gloucester Square (off High Street), Southampton
- Sat-Nav Postcode: SO14 2GH
- Digital Coordinates: what3words: ///firm.secure.exams
- 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 Gloucester Square 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 805210. 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: 90 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: There are no vertical height clearance restrictions or barriers at this site, making it accessible for high-top vehicles.
Places Near Gloucester Square 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:
- Town Quay & Waterfront: Situated right opposite the pier, providing rapid access to the Red Funnel ferry terminals for trips to the Isle of Wight.
- Oxford Street restaurants: Located less than a 5-minute walk away, making it an ideal choice for visiting the boutique dining and cocktail strip.
- Ocean Village Marina: A brief 10-minute walk eastward along the waterfront path, giving quick access to restaurants and cinemas.
- The High Street & Old Town: Positioned just off the lower High Street, offering immediate access to Southampton’s historic city walls and medieval vaults.
Alternative Parking Options Nearby
Because of its location close to the waterfront and major restaurants, this 90-space surface lot can fill up very quickly during lunch hours and weekend dinner times. If you arrive and find the spaces are full, the best alternative options within a 5-minute radius include:
- College Street Car Park (SO14 3DZ): A council-managed surface-level lot situated just a couple of blocks to the east, offering an open-air flat layout under standard Group A daily fees.
- Eastgate MSCP (SO14 3HH): A large council-run multi-storey option located slightly north up the High Street, offering covered spaces under standard Group B fees.
- Town Quay Parking (SO14 2HJ): An open surface-level private parking zone situated directly on the pier structure itself. It relies on an automated ANPR camera network and serves as a highly convenient direct option for ferry travelers or dock visitors.
Is Gloucester Square 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 surface layout features no overhead height barrier framework, allowing high-top delivery vans, large SUVs, and commercial vehicles to park with ease.
- Value: It accepts standard council anytime long-stay season tickets, making it a highly cost-effective option for regular local commuters and waterfront workers.
- Limitations: Spaces are strictly limited to 90 bays and the entire area is closed off to the public for up to 30 days during the autumn for the Southampton International Boat Show.
Gloucester Square 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 Gloucester Square Car Park, provided the valid badge is displayed clearly on the dashboard.
What happens if I am locked in a car park overnight?
Gloucester Square 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. Because this site lacks a physical height restriction barrier, large high-top vans can safely enter, provided they fit inside a standard designated bay line.
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.
