Grosvenor Square North Car Park is a council-run car park in Southampton city centre, popular for the Bedford Place boutique shopping district, the Mayflower Theatre and the local Cultural Quarter. This guide covers the latest parking charges, opening times, payment options and nearby attractions.
Grosvenor Square North 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 |
Grosvenor Square North 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 adjacent multi-storey building, 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 Grosvenor Square North Car Park?
The facility is located in the northern area of the city centre, offering straightforward vehicle access from major incoming routes.
- Address & Entrance: Grosvenor Square, Southampton
- Sat-Nav Postcode: SO15 2DA
- Digital Coordinates: what3words: ///looked.dirt.intro
- Driving Approach: Follow the local road signage for City Zone North to guide you directly to the entrance area.
How to Pay for Parking at Grosvenor Square North 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 805225. 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: 88 open-air surface parking bays.
- Blue Badge bays: 2 wider, dedicated accessible spaces are available on-site. Blue Badge permits allow holders to use these spaces free of charge without time limit restrictions.
- Height restrictions: An overhead entrance clearance restriction framework limits incoming vehicle heights to below 1.90 metres (6 feet 4 inches).
Places Near Grosvenor Square North Car Park
Parking at this facility places you a short walk away from the primary business, dining and cultural spots in the northern section of the city centre:
- Bedford Place & Carlton Place: Located right next to the parking lines, these vibrant streets are known for their independent boutiques, bars, coffee shops and traditional local pubs.
- Mayflower Theatre: Accessible within a short 5-minute stroll, providing a highly reliable surface parking location for catching evening stage performances.
- The Cultural Quarter: Located a few minutes down the road, giving quick access to SeaCity Museum, the O2 Guildhall and the Southampton City Art Gallery.
- Southampton Central Station: Approximately a 7-minute walk away, making it a handy drop-off or commuter backup parking option.
Alternative Parking Options Nearby
Because of its location near popular restaurants and the theatre, this 88-space surface lot can fill up quickly on weekend evenings. If you find the spaces are full, the best alternative options within a 5-minute radius include:
- Grosvenor Square MSCP (SO15 2BE): The large council-run multi-storey facility situated directly next door, providing 532 covered spaces and ground-floor EV charging points under matching Group A daily fees.
- Bedford Place MSCP (SO15 2TZ): A closely situated, council-run multi-storey option that relies on the JPass ANPR system and matching Group A tariff structure.
- Amoy Street Car Park (SO15 2DR): An open surface-level lot situated nearby, which features no vertical height boundary restrictions and is perfect for shorter daytime visits or quick retail trips.
Is Grosvenor Square North 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 northern 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: Unlike the neighbouring multi-storey structure, this open lot never closes overnight, making it ideal for visitors staying out in Bedford Place past midnight.
- Limitations: With only 88 spaces available on-site, finding a parking bay during peak weekend dining hours or major theater productions can require a wait.
Grosvenor Square North 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 Grosvenor Square North Car Park, provided the valid badge is displayed clearly on the dashboard.
What happens if I am locked in a car park overnight?
Grosvenor Square North 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 frame height limit of 1.90 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.
