The Euro Car Parks Harbour Parade facility (Old Toys R Us Car Park) is a prominent private open surface parking site in Southampton city centre. Situated right on Western Esplanade, it is one of the most popular parking hubs for Southampton Central Station, the Westquay shopping districts and Geothermal transport lines. This guide covers the latest parking charges, opening times, payment options and nearby attractions.
Old Toys R Us Car Park Southampton Parking Charges
Unlike the council-run spaces across the city, this private Euro Car Parks site operates on a simplified flat rate across weekdays, weekends, and bank holidays. The pricing tiers apply as follows:
| Parking Duration | Standard Fee (All Days) |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 hour | £1.00 |
| Up to 3 hours | £2.00 |
| Up to 24 hours (Daily Maximum) | £4.50 |
Note: Mobile application payments incur a small standard convenience fee of £0.20 alongside the base tariff rates shown above.
Old Toys R Us Car Park Southampton Opening Times
The operating schedules and enforcement details for this landmark site are outlined below:
- Opening Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- Enforcement Window: Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras operate continuously. Charging sessions apply across a full 24-hour cycle from entry to exit.
Where Is the Old Toys R Us Car Park?
The facility covers a large footprint running parallel to the railway line and Western Esplanade, making it highly visible when arriving into the city.
- Address & Location: Harbour Parade / Western Esplanade, Southampton
- Sat-Nav Postcode: SO15 1QJ
- Digital Driving Directions: Use the Euro Car Parks site location code 5540 to map your route.
How to Pay for Parking at the Old Toys R Us Car Park
Euro Car Parks operates an automated camera system at this site. Because there are no physical exit barriers, you must pay for your stay via digital channels or on-site terminals immediately upon parking:
- ECP ParkBuddy App: You can pay directly through your mobile device by downloading the ECPparkbuddy application. The unique location identification code for this specific lot is 5540.
- PayByPhone App: This car park is also fully integrated with the PayByPhone system. If you prefer to use this application, input the location code 686993 (or 686995 for the adjoining section) to fund your session.
- Phone Payments: Drivers can buy parking time by calling the automated Euro Car Parks telephone payment service on 0330 022 3866.
Facilities and Space Information
As one of the largest flat surface lots in central Southampton, the site offers substantial capacity:
- Number of spaces: 275 open-air surface parking bays layout.
- Height restrictions: There are no overhead clearance beams or physical height barriers at this flat outdoor lot, making it an excellent choice for oversized utility vehicles, camper vans, and high-top commercial transport.
- Enforcement Type: This site uses high-speed ANPR cameras at the entry and exit lines. Your arrival time is logged automatically when you pull off Western Esplanade, so ensure you pay for enough time to cover your stay from the exact moment of entry.
Places Near the Old Toys R Us Car Park
Leaving your car at this central lot provides direct, rapid walking access to several major transport and shopping hubs:
- Southampton Central Train Station: Located just a 2-minute walk away across the street line, making this an incredibly popular budget alternative to the official South Western Railway parking lots.
- Westquay Retail Park: Positioned immediately adjacent to the eastern edge of the lot, giving shoppers instant access to large home outlet stores, electronics warehouses, and food chains.
- Westquay Shopping Centre: Accessible within a 4-minute walk southwards to reach the primary multi-level fashion mall and dining plazas.
Alternative Parking Options Nearby
Because of its unmatched all-day rate and location right by the station, this 275-space open surface lot is highly heavily utilized. If you arrive and find the spaces are fully occupied, the best alternative options within a 3-minute radius include:
- Marlands MSCP (SO15 1BA): A massive council-run multi-storey facility situated just to the east on Harbour Parade. It provides over 800 covered spaces, utilizes the ticketless JPass ANPR system, and offers multi-level protection from the elements.
- Westquay Retail Park Car Park (SO15 1RA): A sprawling private surface parking lot managed by Britannia Parking, located right beside the adjacent retail outlets. This layout utilizes ANPR tracking cameras and provides a free 1-hour parking window during its daytime operating session.
- Southbrook Road South Car Park (SO15 1GQ): A council-managed 113-space open surface facility located just north of the rail lines, which operates under the standard municipal Group A daily commuter tariff scale.
Is the Old Toys R Us 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: It offers an completely flat, easily navigable parking field with zero restrictive low clearance bars or steep multi-storey concrete spiral ramps.
- Value: For long-stay commuters and rail travellers, this site is arguably the best value spot in the entire city centre. Charging just £4.50 for a full 24-hour block makes it far cheaper than any council multi-storey or official station lot.
- Limitations: Because the ANPR tracking system logs the precise second you pass the entry line, any delay in paying via the app or machine can result in an automated postal fine. Ensure your payment is finalized promptly upon arrival.
Old Toys R Us Car Park Southampton FAQs
Does this car park use ticket barriers?
No. The Old Toys R Us site features an open entry and exit system with no physical drop-down arms. Enforcement is entirely managed by overhead ANPR cameras that capture your vehicle registration mark as you drive in and out.
Can I park a large van or motorhome here?
Yes. Because it is a completely open-air surface facility with no overhead height barriers, high-top commercial vans, caravans, and larger vehicles can safely park here, provided they fit cleanly within the marked lines of a bay.
Is this car park run by Southampton City Council?
No. This site is privately owned and operated entirely by Euro Car Parks. Because of this, standard council parking permits, anytime off-street season tickets, and municipal parking fine appeal portals do not apply to this location.
How long do I have to pay after entering the car park?
You must pay for your parking session immediately upon arriving and securing a bay. Because the ANPR cameras calculate your stay from the exact moment you cross the perimeter line rather than when you purchase a ticket, delaying your app check-in can trigger a non-compliance fee.
Can I extend my parking session remotely?
Yes. If you pay via the ECP ParkBuddy or PayByPhone mobile applications, you can log back into the interface from anywhere and add more time to your active session without having to return to Western Esplanade.
