Car parks in Christchurch

There are 20 car parks in the Christchurch area. Those marked with an asterisk have height barriers preventing access by vehicles over 2m high. The RingGo system is available in all car parks.

Town centre car parks

Saxon Square *
Pit Site
Bridge Street
Bank Close
Bargates (formerly Law Courts)
Leisure Centre *
Wick Lane *
By Pass

Beach car parks

Mudeford Quay
Steamer Point *
Avon Run Road *
Highcliffe Cliff Top
Southcliffe Road *

Highcliffe car parks

Wortley Road
Highcliffe Castle

Christchurch Quay area car parks

Christchurch Quay
Priory
Mayor's Mead
Willow Way *

Purewell car park

Purewell Dairy*

RingGo - Pay by mobile phone

This service is available in all car parks across the borough so anyone with a mobile phone can pay for their parking with just one quick call. No coins? No problem!

The RingGo system charges the parking session to the callers credit or debit card, with an additional convenience fee of 20p. The convenience fee pays for the system and does not go into the council coffers!

Texts can be sent as a reminder that the session is coming to an end and if required the customer can extend their parking session from wherever they are. The Civil Enforcement Officers check valid RingGo parkers via handheld devices so can distinguish between them and non-payers.

Motor cycle parking

Parking for solo motorcycles is free provided that machines are left in a designated motorcycle bay. If the motorcycle is parked in a marked parking bay, please buy a parking ticket but keep it with you in case an Penalty Charge Notice is issued.

Designated motorcycle parking is available at Pitsite, on the approach road to Saxon Square, Leisure Centre and Wortley Road (Highcliffe) car parks. There is also an unmarked area for motorcycles at the entrance to Wick Lane car park.

Car park refund scheme

Town centre traders are operating a scheme that refunds the cost of one hours parking in shoppers' car parks (now worth 70p) for customers spending £10 or more in their shops.

Approximately 40 shops in and around Christchurch High Street are taking part in the scheme managed by Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce and they display the 'Smiley Car' sticker and lists of these are displayed at the car park ticket machines. Simply produce the tear off slip from one of the car park tickets purchased from the Shopping Car Parks when you make a minimum purchase of £10.

If you have any questions about the scheme, please contact Christchurch Chamber of Trade (opens in a new window) or Christchurch Borough Council on 01202 495000.

Paying for parking in Christchurch

All Pay and Display machines accept 5p 10p £1 and £2 coins. Please use the correct money as the ticket machines do not give change. A ticket will not be issued if the fee paid does not meet the minimum charge and the coins will be rejected. Parking in some of the town centre car parks is free between 7 pm and 8 am - please check the charge notices on the ticket machines. To assist drivers parking overnight, the machines will issue tickets during the free period which will be treated as valid for the following morning from 8 am. Season tickets (parking permits) are available for regular users.

Tickets are not transferable between car parks - if you have unexpired time on a pay and display ticket in one car park you may not use this ticket in an other car park.

Annual parking report - 2008-09

Every local authority that enforces parking is now required to produce a report [36kb] (opens in a new window) within six months of the end of each financial year.

Bank Close Car Park BH23 1JG
Access via Sopers Lane just off Fountain Roundabout (A35), BH23 1JG. This is a Town Shoppers Car Park for Town Centre, Monday Market and Barrack Road Recreation Ground.
Bargates Car Park - (formerly Law Courts) BH23 1QL
Access via Bargates, Fountain Roundabout end (A35), BH23 1PA. A Town Shoppers car park for Town Centre and Bargates shopping.
Bridge Street Car Park BH23 1DY
Access via Bridge Street, sited in front of the Civic Offices, BH23 1AZ. This is a Town Shoppers Car Park for Civic Offices and Town Centre shopping.
By Pass Car Park BH23 1QD
A town shoppers car park with a mix of short stay parking (2 hour maximum stay except for Blue Badge holders) and long stay (designated long stay parking bays only).
Christchurch Quay Car Park BH23 1BY
Access via Quay Road, BH23 1BU. This is a town amenity car park for Christchurch Quay.
Highcliffe Castle Car Park BH23 4LE
Access via Rothesay Drive - signposted from A338 Lymington Road, BH23 4LE. Maximum stay 4 hours. Gates closed at dusk each day (see Highcliffe Castle Web site for information on opening/closing times and special events). A beach amenity car park for Highcliffe Beach, Castle Visitor Centre and Tea Rooms.
Highcliffe Cliff Top Car Park BH23 5JE
Access via Wharncliffe Road, BH23 5JE - signposted from Highcliffe Village Centre. A beach amenity car park for Highcliffe beaches and Cliffhanger Cafe.
Leisure Centre Car Park BH23 1HW
Access via Stony Lane South, BH23 1HW. A 2m height restrictions to main parking areas but 20 unrestricted spaces plus Coach Parking available. A Town Shoppers car park for Town Centre, Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre, Golf Course and East Dorset Bowls Club. Convenient for Bridge Street and Purewell.
Mayors Mead Car Park BH23 1HU
Access via St Margarets Avenue/Wick Lane, BH23 1HU. Note - up to 3 days stay available at this car park. A Town amenity car park for Christchurch Quay and Mayors Mead.
Mudeford Quay Car Park BH23 4AB
Access via Chichester Way and sign posted from Mudeford, BH23 4AB. This is a beach amenity car park for Mudeford Quay, Haven House Inn, Mudeford Sandbank (accessible by ferry).
Pit Site Car Park BH23 1PA
Access via Barrack Road (just past Christchurch Police Station), BH23 1PA. A Town Shoppers car park for Town Centre, Bargates and Barrack Road Recreation Ground.
Priory Car Park BH23 1BU
Access via Quay Road adjacent to the Priory, BH23 1BU. A town amenity car park for the Priory, Red House Museum, Place Mill and Christchurch Quay.
Purewell Dairy Car Park BH23 1EU
Access via Dairy Close off Purewell (Stanpit end), BH23 1EU. Please note 2m height restriction in this car park. A District shopping car park for Purewell shops.
Saxon Square Car Park BH23 2SQ
Access via A35 Christchurch By-Pass off at Millhams Street North, BH23 2SQ. Note 6' 3" height restriction in this car park. A Town shoppers car park for Town Centre, Saxon Square and Monday Market.
Avon Run Road Car Park BH23 4DU
Access via Avon Run Road or Island View Avenue, Friars Cliff. Please note that the car park gates are locked between 9pm and 9am every day. A two metre height restriction applies in this car park.
Southcliffe Road Car Park BH23 4EN
Access via Southcliffe Road, BH23 4EW, Friars Cliff - signposted from Bure Lane. Note 2m height restriction in this car park. Grassed surface with no marked bays. Car Park gates are locked between 9pm and 9am every day. A beach amenity car park for Friars Cliff Beach.
Steamer Point Car Park BH23 4TA
Access via Seaway Avenue, BH23 4TA, Friars Cliff - signposted from Bure Lane. Note two metre height restriction in this car park. Overflow car park gates locked between 9pm and 9am each day. A beach amenity car park for Steamer Point and Friars Cliff beaches and Steamer Point woodland.
Wick Lane Car Park BH23 1HU
Access via Wick Lane (one way traffic), BH23 1HT. Note 2m height restriction in this car park. A town centre shoppers car park for Town Centre and Regent Centre.
Willow Way Car Park BH23 1JJ
Access via Sopers Lane, BH23 1JF opposite Twynham School Playing Fields. Note 2m height restriction in this car park. A Town shoppers car park for Christchurch Quay, Mayors Mead and Town Centre.
Wortley Road Car Park BH23 5DR
Access via Wortley Road, BH23 5DR or Lymington Road, BH23 5EG. A district shopping car park for Highcliffe shopping.