Bedford Place Multi-Storey Car Park is a council-run car park in Southampton city centre, popular for the Bedford Place shopping and dining district, the Mayflower Theatre and the Cultural Quarter. This guide covers the latest parking charges, opening times, payment options and nearby attractions.
Bedford Place 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 | £11.00 |
Extended cruise liner passenger rates are also available at this multi-storey facility. If you are leaving your vehicle for a cruise getaway, the extended rates are priced below:
| Cruise Parking Option | Rate Details |
|---|---|
| Charge for first 24 hours | £11.00 |
| Subsequent charge per day | £5.00 |
| Example charge for seven day stay | £41.00 |
Bedford Place Car Park Southampton Opening Times
The operating schedules and standard charging sessions for this location are detailed below:
- Opening Hours: Open daily from 05:30 am until midnight.
- Charging Hours: Standard tariffs apply from 08:00 am until midnight, Monday to Sunday.
Please note: The facility is locked strictly overnight, meaning vehicles cannot be retrieved or accessed between midnight and 05:30 am.
Where Is Bedford Place Multi-Storey Car Park?
The facility is located in the northern area of the city centre, offering straightforward vehicle access from major incoming routes.
- Address & Entrance: Lower Bannister Street (via Salisbury Street), Southampton
- Sat-Nav Postcode: SO15 2TZ
- Digital Coordinates: what3words: ///vanish.prep.dimes
- Driving Approach: Follow the local road signage for City Zone North to be guided directly to the entrance doors.
How to Pay for Parking at Bedford Place Car Park
Southampton City Council uses ticketless technology at this multi-storey facility to automate calculations upon exit.
- ANPR Barrier System: This site uses an Automatic Number Plate Recognition system. A camera captures your registration mark automatically at the entry gate, removing the need to pull or display a paper ticket.
- Payment Methods: Before returning to your vehicle, enter your registration mark into the physical on-site pay stations to pay with cash, debit card or credit card. Alternatively, drivers can pay through their phone by downloading the official JPass app or scanning the 3D QR codes on display within the structure. Card payments are also accepted at the exit barrier lanes.
Facilities and Space Information
The interior layout of this multi-storey structure contains dedicated areas for distinct parking demands:
- Number of spaces: 289 total parking bays arranged across multiple levels.
- Blue Badge bays: 8 wider, dedicated accessible spaces located near the lifts for drivers with mobility permits. Lifts serve floors 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
- EV charging: 6 dual-socketed fast AC charging points managed via the Shell Recharge app are located on Level 2. Regular parking fees still apply while charging.
- Height restrictions: A physical entrance safety barrier limits access to vehicles below 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 metres).
Places Near Bedford Place Multi-Storey 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 outside the exit, these streets are known for their independent boutiques, cafes, hair salons and local pubs like The Cricketers Arms.
- London Road: Just a 2-minute walk away, featuring a mix of high-street banks, eateries, office spaces and local businesses.
- Mayflower Theatre: Accessible within a 5 to 10-minute walk down Commercial Road or through the nearby parks, making this a useful spot to park for evening shows.
- The Cultural Quarter: A 7-minute stroll brings you to the O2 Guildhall, SeaCity Museum and Southampton City Art Gallery located at the Civic Centre.
Alternative Parking Options Nearby
Because of its location near popular restaurants and the theatre, the multi-storey can get busy on weekend evenings or during big show times. If you find the spaces are full, the best alternative options within a 5-minute radius include:
- Grosvenor Square MSCP (SO15 2BE): Another large council-run multi-storey option about 0.3 miles away. It uses the exact same JPass ANPR barrier system and matching tariff structure.
- Amoy Street Car Park (SO15 2DR): A surface level parking lot located just a couple of streets over, ideal for short-stay visits to the Polygon area.
Is Bedford Place Car Park the Best Option?
This car park is a highly practical choice for drivers seeking covered, secure city-centre parking close to the northern business and dining districts.
- Convenience: It is generally quieter and easier to access than the busy shopping centre car parks further south, such as Westquay.
- Value: The flat daily caps and dedicated long-stay cruise options make it highly cost-effective for extended stays.
- Limitations: Drivers with large commercial vans or high-top SUVs will need to choose an open surface lot instead due to the strict entrance height barrier.
Bedford Place 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?
Yes, standard fees apply inside this multi-storey facility. Blue Badge holders can park for free with no time limits inside all open-air, surface-level council car parks across Southampton, but normal charging rules remain in place for the multi-storey structures like Bedford Place.
What happens if I am locked in a car park overnight?
Your vehicle cannot be accessed or retrieved until the building reopens at 05:30 am the next morning. If you require an emergency release while the gates are locked between midnight and dawn, you must call the council’s out-of-hours helpline, which can result in a call-out fee.
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.
