Compton Walk Car Park is a council-run car park in Southampton city centre, popular for the St Mary’s Road commercial outlets, Charlotte Place development and the eastern edge of the Cultural Quarter. This guide covers the latest parking charges, opening times, payment options and nearby attractions.
Compton Walk Car Park Southampton Parking Charges
This car park offers short-stay, mid-stay, and all-day parking options, with a helpful grace window for brief turnarounds. The regular daytime and evening pricing tiers apply as follows:
| Parking Duration | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 minutes | Free |
| Up to 1 hour | £1.50 |
| 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 |
Compton Walk 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 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 Compton Walk Car Park?
The facility is located on the northeastern fringe of the immediate city centre, offering straightforward vehicle access from major incoming routes.
- Address & Entrance: Compton Walk (off St Mary’s Road / Pratt’s Walk), Southampton
- Sat-Nav Postcode: SO14 0BH
- Digital Coordinates: what3words: ///coffee.softly.mouth
- Driving Approach: Follow the local road signage for City Zone North to guide you directly to the entry layout.
How to Pay for Parking at Compton Walk 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 805223. 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: 35 open-air surface parking bays.
- Blue Badge bays: There are no wider, dedicated accessible spaces inside this small 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 Compton Walk Car Park
Parking at this facility places you a short walk away from primary independent shopping, professional, and civic spots:
- St Mary’s Road Retail Quarter: Located directly outside the car park lines, giving instant access to international grocery markets, local service shops, and independent eateries.
- Charlotte Place Commercial District: A brief 3-minute walk westwards, making it highly convenient for those visiting corporate offices, offices, or local hotel facilities.
- Solent University Campus: Around a 5-minute walk across the main road, serving as a helpful alternative parking spot for visitors attending university events.
- East Park & Central Parks: A short 5-minute stroll away, placing you close to the sprawling municipal parklands, walking routes, and historic monuments.
Alternative Parking Options Nearby
Because of its useful location next to busy community high streets and local offices, this compact 35-space open lot can fill up quickly during core weekday business hours. If you find the spaces are full, the best alternative options within a 5-minute radius include:
- Six Dials Car Park (SO14 0AH): A larger council-run open surface-level lot located a short distance southwards, offering an alternative open-air layout.
- Trinity Road Car Park (SO14 0DX): Another nearby council surface parking facility that services the broader St Mary’s area and operates under standard municipal rates.
- Kings Park Road Car Park (SO15 2AU): A council-managed 76-space open flat lot situated slightly further west across the park borders, running on standard Group A daily tariffs.
Is Compton Walk 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 completely flat layout features no overhead height barrier framework, allowing high-top delivery vans, large SUVs, and commercial vehicles to park without clearance concerns.
- Value: It is one of the few central open lots to feature a completely free 10-minute parking window, and it holds a Safer Parking Award designation for peace of mind.
- Limitations: With only 35 total standard parking bays available on-site, it is highly competitive during working weekday hours or local clinic operational sessions.
Compton Walk 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 Compton Walk Car Park, provided the valid badge is displayed clearly on the dashboard.
What happens if I am locked in a car park overnight?
Compton Walk 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.
