Eastgate Multi-Storey Car Park is a council-run car park in Southampton city centre, popular for the High Street shopping district, the historic City Walls and the restaurants on Oxford Street. This guide covers the latest parking charges, opening times, payment options and nearby attractions.
Eastgate 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 1 hour | £1.60 |
| 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 | £7.00 |
| Over 10 hours (Daily Maximum) | £9.00 |
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 | £9.00 |
| Subsequent charge per day | £5.00 |
| Example charge for seven day stay | £39.00 |
Eastgate 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 Eastgate Multi-Storey Car Park?
The facility is located in the southeastern area of the city centre, offering straightforward vehicle access from major incoming routes.
- Address & Entrance: Eastgate Street, Southampton
- Sat-Nav Postcode: SO14 3HH
- Digital Coordinates: what3words: ///upset.finds.festivity
- Driving Approach: Follow the local road signage for City Zone South to be guided directly to the entry lines.
How to Pay for Parking at Eastgate 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: 709 total parking bays arranged across multiple levels.
- Blue Badge bays: 2 wider, dedicated accessible spaces located near the internal lift access points. Lifts serve floors 1, 3, 5 and 7 (please note that the lifts do not stop at floors 9 and 10).
- EV charging: 5 fast charging devices compatible with the 50five charging network are located on Level 3. Regular parking fees still apply while charging.
- Height restrictions: A physical entrance safety barrier limits access to vehicles below 6 feet 6 inches (1.95 metres).
Places Near Eastgate Multi-Storey Car Park
Parking at this facility places you within easy walking distance of the primary historical sites, retail zones and dining areas in the south of the city centre:
- Oxford Street: A 5-minute walk from the exit, this street is highly popular for its independent restaurants, cocktail bars and outdoor dining areas.
- The High Street & Bargate: Located right on the doorstep, offering direct access to high-street retailers, historic architecture and local market stalls.
- Holy Rood Church: A 2-minute walk away, allowing visitors to explore the preserved shell of this historic merchant church ruined during the Second World War.
- Town Quay & Waterfront: Around a 10-minute stroll south, making it a handy alternative parking spot if you are taking a passenger ferry to the Isle of Wight.
Alternative Parking Options Nearby
Because of its location close to Oxford Street and major high-street shops, this multi-storey can fill up during peak weekend shopping hours or dinner times. If you arrive and find the spaces are full, the best alternative options within a 5-minute loop include:
- College Street Car Park (SO14 3EJ): A council-run surface level car park located just a short distance away, useful for shorter stays or if you want to avoid a multi-storey layout.
- Grosvenor Square MSCP (SO15 2BE): A larger council-run multi-storey option located further north, utilizing the matching JPass system and pricing structure.
Is Eastgate Car Park the Best Option?
This car park is an excellent choice for drivers looking for a secure, covered space near the historic core or the southeastern dining spots.
- Convenience: It provides immediate access to the High Street and historic walls without needing to deal with the busier traffic surrounding the main shopping centres.
- Value: With a maximum day rate cap of £9.00 and dedicated long-stay cruise options, it is highly cost-effective for visitors staying for the entire day.
- Limitations: The 6 feet 6 inches (1.95 metres) height restriction is tighter than other local multi-storeys, meaning taller commercial vans and large high-top vehicles must use open surface lots instead.
Eastgate 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 multi-storey structures like Eastgate.
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 1.95 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.
