Southampton is a port city in the English county of Hampshire. The location appears to have been inhabited since the Stone Age. Parts of the medieval town walls still stand today, as does a restored Tudor house from the 12th-14th centuries that is now a museum.
Southampton developed as a spa town in the 18th century and expanded significantly during the Victorian era, with the first docks opening in 1842 and the establishment of a railway link to London. The city is well-known for being the departure point for the RMS Titanic, and it is still a major cruise ship port today.
During WWII, the city was heavily bombed, known as the Southampton Blitz, and was one of the ports from which the D-Day invasion departed. It was also the site of the Spitfire’s construction.
Southampton was granted city status in 1974, and it had a population of over 250,000 people in 2011 – including over 40,000 university students. Southampton Maritime Museum, God’s House Tower, Solent Sky, and SeaCity are just a few of the museums that document the city’s history.
Arts and culture are an important part of life in Southampton. The Mayflower Theatre is the largest outside of London in southern England, and Southampton University has its own theatre, the Nuffield. The city has an entire Cultural Quarter filled with galleries, museums, restaurants, theaters, and live music venues such as the o2 Guildhall and City Eye. Chinese New Year, the Southampton Boat Show, Oktoberfest, Slamma skateboarding festival, and Pride are all annual events. Southampton is home to several famous people, including singer Craig David, comedian Benny Hill, and radio DJ Scott Mills.
Southampton also has one of the largest retail districts in the south of England, with the Westquay shopping center being the city’s largest. Marlands and Westquay South are two more shopping centres. The city has been ranked 13th in the UK for best shopping.
Football (with Southampton FC as the city’s professional team), cricket, rugby, basketball, yachting, and water sports are among the many sports played and represented in Southampton. There is a massive Sports Centre with a dry ski slope, and the city also has the world’s oldest surviving bowling green, which was built in 1299.
Space is at a premium in Southampton due to its location between the rivers Test and Itchen. In the city center, parking can be difficult to come by and very expensive. On this page, we’ve compiled a list of all the free parking options in Southampton; see the map below for an overview, or continue reading for more information.
In this guide, we will see where can we find Free and Paid Parking In Southampton.
Important Note:
While UKFreeParking.com takes every step to ensure that the parking information provided is accurate at the time of writing, local ordinances, parking availability, parking prices, and parking regulations change with time.
UKFreeParking.com accepts no responsibility for any fines or tickets received as a result of using our website.
Please ensure that you park your vehicle safely and responsibly every time, making sure to adhere to local parking rules, signs, and regulations.
Free Parking in Southampton
Restricted Parking Zones
A large portion of Southampton is divided into restricted parking zones, which can be viewed on the council website. Permit holders can only park in these zones during operational hours. Some zones, however, become unrestricted in the evenings, overnight, and occasionally on weekends. The following zones in the city are unrestricted at the times listed:
- Zone 1 – 10pm-8am Monday-Saturday, free all day Sunday
- Zone 2 – 10pm-8am every day
- Zone 3 – 10pm-8am every day
- Zone 4 – 6pm-8am Monday-Saturday, free all day Sunday
- Zone 5 – 6pm-8am Mon-Sat, free all day Sunday
- Zone 6 – 6pm-8am Mon-Sat, free all day Sunday
- Zone 7 – 6pm-8am Mon-Fri, free all day Saturday & Sunday
- Zone 8 – 6pm-8am Mon-Sat, free all day Sunday
- Zone 9 – (depending on where you park – be sure to check signs before leaving your vehicle) 6pm-8am Monday-Friday, free all day Saturday & Sunday OR 3pm-11am Monday-Friday, free all day Saturday & Sunday OR 6pm-8am Monday-Friday, free all day Saturday & Sunday (1st Oct-31st May)
- Zone 10 – 6pm-8am Monday-Friday, free all day Saturday & Sunday
- Zone 11 – (depending on where you park – be sure to check signs before leaving your vehicle) 6pm-8am Monday-Friday, free all day Saturday & Sunday OR 6pm-8am Monday-Saturday, free all day Sunday
- Zone 12 – 6pm-8am Monday-Friday, free all day Saturday & Sunday
- Zone 16 – 6pm-8am Monday-Saturday, free all day Sunday
- Zone 17 – 6pm-8am Monday-Saturday, free all day Sunday
- Zone 18 – 6pm-8am Monday-Saturday, 6pm-1pm Sunday and Bank Holidays
- Zone 19 – 3pm-8am Monday-Friday, free all day Saturday & Sunday
- Zone 23 – 8pm-8am every day
Residential Streets
Residential streets are one of the best places to find free parking. This can be challenging if you are unfamiliar with the area. We have listed all of Southampton’s unrestricted residential streets below, organized by distance from the city center. We have also included postcodes for your GPS and a walking distance to the city’s geographic center.
Keep in mind that all residential street parking in Southampton requires at least a mile walk to the city center, so this option may not be suitable for groups such as the elderly, the disabled, and young children.
North
Parking to the north of the city allows for a direct walk into the city center without crossing any waterways. You will also be nearer Southampton Common.
- Court Road SO15 2JR – 1.2 miles
- Earls Road SO14 6SH – 1.3 miles
- Arthur Road SO15 5DZ – 1.3 miles
- Cavendish Grove SO17 1XE – 1.4 miles
- Atherley Road SO15 5DT – 1.4 miles
- Imperial Road SO14 0SH – 1.4 miles
- William Street SO14 5QH – 1.4 miles
- Stafford Road SO15 5EA – 1.4 miles
- Thornbury Avenue SO15 5DA – 1.5 miles
- Bond Street SO14 5QA – 1.5 miles
- Portswood Park SO17 2EW – 1.5 miles
- Western District Cut SO15 3HS – 1.5 miles
- Darwin Road SO15 5BU – 1.5 miles
- Charlton Road SO15 5FL – 1.6 miles
- Norfolk Road SO15 5AT – 1.6 miles
- Suffolk Avenue SO15 5EF – 1.6 miles
- Lawn Road SO17 2EY – 1.6 miles
- Avenue Road SO14 6UA – 1.6 miles
- Raymond Road SO15 5AG – 1.7 miles
- Spring Crescent SO17 2GA – 1.7 miles
- Woodside Road SO17 2GU – 1.8 miles
- Osborne Road South SO17 2EZ – 1.8 miles
- Horseshoe Bridge SO17 2NP – 1.8 miles
- Gordon Avenue SO14 6WD – 1.8 miles
- Shakespeare Avenue SO17 2HA – 1.8 miles
- Tennyson Road SO17 2HG – 1.9 miles
- Westwood Road SO17 1DH – 1.9 miles
- South Road SO17 2JL – 2 miles
- Adelaide Road SO17 2HX – 2.1 miles
- North Road SO17 2LZ – 2.1 miles
- Belmont Road SO17 2GF – 2.1 miles
- Eastfield Road SO17 2JF – 2.1 miles
- Macnaghten Road SO18 1GJ – 2.2 miles
- Cross Road SO19 4BY – 2.2 miles
- Garfield Road SO19 4DA – 2.2 miles
- Harcourt Road SO18 1GP – 2.3 miles
- Bullar Road SO18 1EJ – 2.3 miles
- Whitworth Crescent SO18 1GD – 2.3 miles
- Priory Road SO17 2LS – 2.3 miles
- Cobbett Road SO18 1HJ – 2.3 miles
- Midanbury Lane SO18 4HF – 2.4 miles
- Vinery Gardens SO16 6HJ – 2.6 miles
- Honeysuckle Road SO16 3HS – 2.9 miles
The streets that follow are much further away from the city center. They are, however, close to Southampton Airport, the University of Southampton Highfield and Avenue campuses, the Southampton Municipal Golf Course, and Alpine Snowsports.
- Langhorn Road SO16 3TP – 3 miles
- Bluebell Road SO16 3LL – 3.1 miles
- Monks Wood Close SO16 3TT
- Farmery Close SO18 2JX – 3.3 miles
- Friars Way SO18 2JU – 3.3 miles
- Lobelia Road SO16 3JU – 3.3 miles
- Poppy Road SO16 3JZ – 3.3 miles
- Lupin Road SO16 3LD – 3.3 miles
- Laburnum Road SO16 3LG – 3.3 miles
- Stoneham Lane SO16 2NN – 3.3 miles
- Phillimore Road SO16 2NQ – 3.3 miles
- Willis Road SO16 2NS – 3.4 miles
- Havenstone Way SO18 2RA – 3.4 miles
- Westbrook Way SO18 2JY – 3.4 miles
- The Parkway SO16 3PB – 3.4 miles
- Courtland Gardens SO16 3PP – 3.5 miles
- Carnation Road SO16 3JH – 3.5 miles
- Bassett Green Village SO16 3NB – 3.5 miles
East
Parking in the city’s Woolston area, across the River Itchen from the centre, will put you in the Woolston area. Weston Hard Woolston beach and the Weston Shore Promenade are located on this side of the river. Crossing the bridge takes you past several historical sites, including the Crosshouse, the Solent Sky air museum, and the town walls.
- Garton Road SO19 2DJ – 1.5 miles
- Manor Road South SO19 2DP – 1.5 miles
- Porchester Road SO19 2JD – 1.8 miles
- Millais Road SO19 2FY – 1.8 miles
- Bishops Road SO19 2FD – 1.9 miles
- Radstock Road SO19 2HW – 1.9 miles
- Cranbury Road SO19 2HZ – 2 miles
- Station Road SO19 8HH – 2 miles
- Temple Gardens SO19 9FD – 2.1 miles
- Archery Grove SO19 9FB – 2.1 miles
West
There are few parking options to the west of Southampton city center. It is, however, more convenient for getting to Southampton Central train station.
- Richmond Road SO15 3FT – 1.5 miles
- Lakelands Drive SO15 3AL – 1.7 miles
- Somerset Terrace SO15 3FW – 1.7 miles
- Testwood Road SO15 8RP – 1.8 miles
- Foundry Lane SO15 3FX – 1.8 miles
Remember the usual on-street parking rules when parking on residential streets. Do not block any entrances or driveways, keep noise to a minimum, be respectful of residents, and never park on double-yellow lines.
Free Overnight & Weekend Parking in Southampton
In addition to the restricted zones mentioned above, there are several car parks in the city center that are free overnight and on weekends:
- Eastgate Street Car Park SO14 3HH – 6pm-7am Sunday-Friday, 6pm Saturday-11am Sunday
- Sussex Road Car Park SO14 1NB – 6pm-7am Sun-Sat, 6pm Saturday-midday Sunday
- Marlands MSCP SO15 1BA – 6pm-7am Sunday-Friday, 6pm Saturday-11am Sunday
- Gloucester Square SO14 2GH – 6pm-7am Sunday-Friday, 6pm Saturday-11am Sunday
- College Street Car Park SO14 3DZ – 6pm-7am Sunday-Friday, 6pm Saturday-11am Sunday
Cheapest Paid Parking Options in Southampton
Unless you know where to look, parking in Southampton’s car parks can be very expensive. The following are the city’s cheapest paid parking lots:
- Eastgate Street Car Park SO14 3HH – £2.50 for 2 hours
- The Quays SO15 1BA – £2.50 for 2 hours, 4 hour maximum stay
- West Quay Retail Park SO15 1BA – first 30 minutes free, £1.50 for 2 hours, 6 hours maximum stay
- Marlands MSCP SO15 1BA – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Gloucester Square Car Park SO14 2GH – £2.50 for 2 hours
- Mayflower Park SO14 2AQ – £1.00 for 2 hours
- College Street Car Park SO14 3DZ – £2.50 for 2 hours
- James Street Car Park SO14 1PH – £1.40 for 2 hours
- Leisure World SO15 1RE – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Ascupart Street SO14 1LU – £1.40 for 2 hours
Southampton is a thriving city with a rich history, shopping, and culture. It would be a shame to waste too much time looking for a parking spot before you could enjoy your trip there. We hope the information on this page simplifies your search and saves you money.