Let’s first talk about Bournemouth and then, we will explore the best parking spots there, both free and paid.
Bournemouth is a coastal resort town on the River Bourne, with the River Stour on two sides. It is the largest town in the county of Dorset, with a population of 183,000+ in 2011, boosted by a large student population. The area began as a heathland, primarily used by fishermen, with a history of smuggling. Bournemouth was officially founded in 1810 as a health resort, and its growth was accelerated by the introduction of railways.
Bournemouth has over 200 listed buildings, including the Grade I St. Peter’s Church. The town center still has a lot of Victorian architecture. Many of Bournemouth’s parks are also listed, including the upper, central, and lower gardens, which run through the town and all the way down to the seafront.
The seafront includes cliffs, sandy beaches, and two piers. The famous Old Harry rock formations are located directly east of Bournemouth. In order to prevent urban sprawl and preserve the natural beauty of the environment, the town is also located in the center of a green belt.
Bournemouth is a regional business center with a financial district worth over a billion pounds, as well as a seaside resort and popular holiday town. There is a thriving shopping center and a vibrant nightlife. The Bournemouth International Centre, the o2 Academy, and the Pavilion Theatre (both of which are housed in Grade II-listed buildings) are among the major venues. Bournemouth has its own symphony orchestra as well.
Bournemouth hosts numerous annual festivals, including the Food and Drink Festival, Arts by the Sea, the 7s Festival, the Air Show, and Bourne Free.
Sport is well-represented in the town, with AFC Bournemouth playing their home games at Dean Court Vitality Stadium. A local rugby club, a coastal rowing club, and events in other water sports such as sailing and surfing are also available.
Bournemouth receives over 5 million tourists each year, making it a very popular destination, especially during the summer months. When traveling there, finding parking can be a difficult and costly process. On this page, we’ve compiled a list of all of the free parking options in town. The map below provides a quick overview of these; continue reading for more information and different parking options.
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 Bournemouth
Residential Streets
Generally, parking on residential streets is the best way to find free parking. The usual on-street rules apply, so avoid blocking driveways or entrances, keep noise to a minimum, and check around your vehicle for any signs indicating parking restrictions before leaving.
If you are unfamiliar with a neighborhood, finding unrestricted residential streets can be difficult and time-consuming. We have done the legwork for you and listed the available streets in the order they are accessible from the town center. We have also included postcodes for your GPS and the walking distance from each street to Bournemouth’s geographical center.
North
Parking north of Bournemouth will put you close to Bournemouth University. A pleasant walk to the sea can be taken through the upper, central, and lower Bournemouth Gardens. Northern roads are also more convenient for getting into the town’s shopping center.
- Cavendish Road BH1 1QY – 0.4 miles
- Wellington Road BH8 8JN – 0.6 miles
- Portchester Place BH8 8JS – 0.6 miles
- Corporation Road BH8 8SJ – 0.6 miles
- Lytton Road BH1 4SH – 0.6 miles
- Stanley Road BH1 4SD – 0.8 miles
- Spring Road BH1 4PZ – 0.8 miles
- Victoria Road BH1 4RS – 0.9 miles
- Methuen Road BH8 8NB – 0.9 miles
- Ascham Road BH8 8LZ – 0.9 miles
- Bodorgan Road BH2 6NL – 0.9 miles
Despite being a longer walk from the town center, parking on these streets can be convenient for Castlepoint Shopping Centre, the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, and Queens Park Golf Course.
- Osborne Road BH9 2JJ – 1.7 miles
- Withermoor Road BH9 2NX – 1.8 miles
- Frederica Road BH9 2LZ – 1.8 miles
- Sedgley Road BH9 2JW – 1.8 miles
- Stanfield Road BH9 2NL – 1.8 miles
- Wimborne Road BH9 2BU – 2.6 miles
- Braishfield Gardens BH8 0QA – 2.7 miles
- St Margarets Road BH10 4BQ – 2.9 miles
- Hazell Avenue BH10 4DN – 2.9 miles
- Noel Avenue BH10 4DP – 3 miles
- Acton Road BH10 4DW – 3 miles
East
Parking in any of Bournemouth’s easterly streets puts you within walking distance of the shore and, by extension, the town’s beautiful sandy beaches. These streets are also close to many of the seaside vacation rentals.
- Frances Road BH1 3RY – 0.5 miles
- Gardens View BH1 3QA – 0.6 miles
- Spencer Road BH1 3TE – 0.7 miles
- Southcote Road BH1 3SS – 0.7 miles
- Carlton Road BH1 3TF – 0.8 miles
- Knyveton Road BH1 3BP – 0.8 miles
- Vale Road BH1 3SU – 0.9 miles
- Boscombe Spa Road BH5 1AL – 0.9 miles
The roads listed below are in the Bournemouth neighborhood of Boscombe. Though it is a longer walk to the town center, parking here is preferable if you plan to visit Boscombe Pier, o2 Academy Bournemouth, or Vitality Stadium. Parking here is also convenient for walking along the beaches of Boscombe and Bournemouth to get to the town center, or for those who simply want to spend time at the beach.
- Gordon Road BH1 4DW – 1 mile
- Knole Road BH1 4DQ – 1.1 miles
- St Johns Road BH5 1EQ – 1.1 miles
- Sea Road BH5 1DH – 1.2 miles
- Horace Road BH5 1DY – 1.3 miles
- Argyll Road BH5 1ED – 1.3 miles
- Florence Road BH5 1HH – 1.4 miles
- Watkin Road BH5 1HP – 1.4 miles
- Glen Road BH5 1HR – 1.4 miles
- Michelgrove Road BH5 1JH – 1.4 miles
- Byron Road BH5 1JD – 1.5 miles
- Boscombe Cliff Road BH5 1JN – 1.5 miles
- Gladstone Road BH7 6HD – 1.5 miles
- Shelley Road BH1 4HX – 1.5 miles
- Westby Road BH5 1HE – 1.5 miles
- Grantley Road BH5 1HW – 1.5 miles
- Grovely Avenue BH5 1JA – 1.6 miles
- Haviland Road East BH7 6HN – 1.6 miles
- Kings Park Drive BH7 7AF – 1.6 miles
- Wickham Road BH7 6JX – 1.9 miles
- Colville Road BH5 2AG – 1.9 miles
- Rosebery Road BH5 2JH – 2 miles
- Morley Close BH5 2JP – 2 miles
- Morley Road BH5 2JJ – 2 miles
- Clarence Park Road BH7 6LF – 2.2 miles
- Scotter Road BH7 6LY – 2.2 miles
- Spurgeon Road BH7 6LZ – 2.2 miles
- Wheaton Road BH7 6LH – 2.2 miles
West
The following streets to the west of the town centre are the most convenient in terms of location and distance to Bournemouth’s main shopping hub. They are also near the seafront and the Bournemouth Gardens.
- Dean Park Road BH1 1HY – 0.6 miles
- West Hill Road BH2 5EH – 1 mile
- St Michaels Road BH2 5DZ – 1.1 miles
- Durley Road BH2 5JL – 1.1 miles
- West Cliff Gardens BH2 5HR – 1.2 miles
- Hahnemann Road BH2 5JW – 1.2 miles
- Chine Crescent BH2 5LB – 1.2 miles
- Durley Chine Road BH2 5JG – 1.3 miles
- Durley Gardens BH2 5HT – 1.3 miles
- Norwich Avenue West BH2 6AJ – 1.4 miles
The streets listed below are in Bournemouth’s Westbourne neighborhood. If you want to spend time on Alum Chine or Durley Chine beaches, or if you want to walk along the beaches to get to Bournemouth pier and several attractions such as the Oceanarium, the BIC, and the Pavilion Theatre, parking here is ideal.
- West Overcliff Drive BH4 8AA – 1.5 miles
- Chine Crescent Road BH2 5DA – 1.5 miles
- Crosby Road BH4 8JD – 1.8 miles
- Sandbourne Road BH4 8JH – 1.9 miles
- Earle Road BH4 8QJ – 1.9 miles
- Milner Road BH4 8AD – 1.9 miles
- Studland Road BH4 8HH – 1.9 miles
- Burnaby Road BH4 8JF – 1.9 miles
Free Evening/Overnight & Sunday Parking in Bournemouth
After 5pm:
- St Pauls Place BH8 8HF – 0.2 miles
- Meyrick Road BH1 3DP – 0.2 miles
- St Pauls Lane BH8 8AJ – 0.3 miles
- Gervis Road BH1 3ED – 0.4 miles
- East Overcliff Drive BH1 3AH – 0.5 miles
- Derby Road BH1 3QB – 0.6 miles
- Manor Road BH1 3HG – 0.6 miles
- Cambridge Road BH2 6AG – 1.1 miles
- The Marina BH5 1BJ – 1.3 miles
After 6pm:
- Wootton Gardens BH1 1PW – 0.2 miles
- Lansdowne Road BH1 1RS – 0.6 miles
After 8pm:
- Madeira Road BH1 1QL – 0.2 miles
- Lorne Park Road BH1 1JN – 0.2 miles
- Old Christchurch Road BH1 1EP – 0.4 miles
- Hinton Road BH1 2EF – 0.5 miles
- Westover Road BH1 2BY – 0.6 miles
- Richmond Hill BH2 6HE – 0.7 miles
- Bourne Avenue BH2 6DT – 0.7 miles
- Braidley Road BH2 6JY – 0.8 miles
On Sundays:
- Lansdowne Crescent BH1 1SA
- Wootton Gardens BH1 1PW
- Madeira Road BH1 1QL
- Lorne Park Road BH1 1JN
- Glen Fern Road BH1 2LZ
- Old Christchurch Road BH1 1EP
- Upper Hinton Road BH1 2HH
- Derby Road BH1 3QB
- Richmond Hill BH2 6HE
- Manor Road (East) BH1 3HG
- Avenue Road BH2 5SL
Park & Ride Service in Bournemouth
A shuttle bus runs from Kings Park, near the stadium, to Boscombe Pier. Parking costs £5 for the entire day, but buses run every 15 minutes beginning at 9 a.m. This is useful for getting close to the seafront without having to look for nearby parking.
Cheapest Paid Parking Options in Bournemouth
In the summer, car parks in Bournemouth, like many other seaside towns, can be quite expensive. The first way to get cheaper parking is to go during off-peak hours. There are, however, existing car parks that aren’t prohibitively expensive, which we’ve listed below in order of distance from the town center.
- Eden Glen BH2 5AU – £2.50 for 2 hours, maximum stay 4 hours
- Bh2, Exeter Crescent BH2 5AU – £2.00 for 2 hours
- Bournemouth International Centre Car Park BH2 5BH – £3.20 for 2 hours
- Winter Gardens BH2 5AQ – £2.50 for 2 hours
- Exeter Park Road BH2 5BD – £2.50 for 2 hours
- Central, Upper Hinton Road BH1 2HH – £2.50 for 2 hours
- Avenue Road BH2 5SL – £2.50 for 2 hours
- Richmond Gardens BH1 1JD – £2.50 for 2 hours
Whether in the summer or winter, Bournemouth is a lovely place to visit. We hope that with the information on this page, you will have a much easier time finding parking when you visit.