Let’s first talk about Winchester and then, we will explore the best parking spots there, both free and paid.
Winchester is the county town of Hampshire and a cathedral city located on the River Itchen, west of the South Downs National Park. It began as an Iron Age oppidum, which the Romans expanded upon.
Winchester is now one of the most expensive and affluent areas in the United Kingdom, with a population of around 50,000 people. Despite its small size, Winchester receives an estimated 5.6 million visitors each year. Several well-known people have come from the city, including actor Colin Firth and singer Frank Turner.
The cathedral dominates the city’s modest skyline, highlighting the city’s history. The ruins of Wolvesey Castle and Palace, complete with the legendary King Arthur’s Round Table in the Great Hall, the City Cross – a 15th-century scheduled ancient monument, and the Gothic revival style Guildhall, are all historical highlights.
Winchester was originally a walled city, and parts of the wall, as well as two surviving medieval gates into the city center (Kingsgate and Westgate), still stand today. Winchester College, founded in the 14th century, is the oldest public school in Britain still using its original buildings and is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious schools. The university, on the other hand, was founded in 2005. Several museums, including the City and Westgate Museums, provide opportunities to learn about Winchester’s history.
Winchester hosts a number of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Hat Fair, Street Theatre, and Farmers Market. Sport is also a popular pastime in the city, with football, rugby, bowls, and golf teams.
Because of the city’s historical listed buildings and narrow, ancient streets, parking in Winchester can be extremely difficult. The city center is quite constrained, with few paid, let alone free, parking options. For your convenience, we have compiled all of the information we could find on free parking near Winchester city centre on this page. See the map below for a quick overview, or continue reading for more options and information.
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 Winchester
Residential Streets
One of the best ways to find free parking in any city is to park like a local on residential streets with no restrictions. This can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with the area, which is why we have compiled a list of such streets in Winchester. The postcodes and walking distance to the city’s geographic center are included with the street names for ease of GPS navigation.
North
Parking north of the city center puts you close to the Winnall Moors Wildlife Reserve. Depending on where you park, you will also be closer to the Winchester railway station and the Brooks Shopping Centre.
- St Johns Road SO23 0HQ – 0.5 miles
- Moss Road SO23 0PG – 0.7 miles
- Garbett Road SO23 0NY – 0.7 miles
- Imber Road SO23 0NQ – 0.8 miles
- Firmstone Road SO23 0PA – 0.8 miles
- Birinus Road SO23 7EG – 0.8 miles
- Winnall Manor Road SO23 0NN – 0.9 miles
- Shepherds Road SO23 0NR – 0.9 miles
- Warren Road SO23 0NL – 1 mile
- North Hill Close SO22 6PE – 1.2 miles
- Westley Close SO22 5LA – 1.4 miles
- Charles Close SO23 7HT – 1.5 miles
- Old Gardens SO22 6AD – 1.5 miles
- Courtenay Road SO23 7ER – 1.6 miles
- Bere Close SO22 5HY – 1.6 miles
- Stockers Avenue SO22 5LB – 1.6 miles
- Wessex Drive SO22 6DQ – 1.8 miles
- Kynegils Road SO22 6DF – 1.9 miles
- Bradley Road SO22 6LS – 2.1 miles
West
Parking further west will put you close to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital and the University of Winchester. You will enter the city center through the Great Hall and Winchester Cathedral.
- Ivy Close SO22 4QR – 1.4 miles
- Stanmore Lane SO22 4AJ – 1.4 miles
- Mildmay Street SO22 4BX – 1.5 miles
- Battery Hill SO22 4BY – 1.6 miles
- Wayneflete Place SO22 4DA – 1.7 miles
- Wavell Way SO22 4EQ – 1.7 miles
- Thurmond Crescent SO22 4DH – 1.8 miles
- Thurmond Road SO22 4DE – 1.8 miles
- Kilham Lane SO22 5PT – 2.1 miles
- Woodfield Drive SO22 5PY – 2.1 miles
There is also one street in the east that has free parking:
- Fairdown Close SO23 0JU – 0.7 miles
Parking here would take you to St Giles Hill, then over the bridge next to the Winchester City Mill (an 18th-century corn mill that still works) and into the Abbey Gardens before reaching the city center.
Remember the standard on-street parking rules when parking on residential streets. Above all, never block driveways or entrances, and never park on double-yellow lines. Before leaving your vehicle, check the area for parking signs to ensure that you have permission to park there. Keep noise to a minimum, especially in the evenings, out of courtesy to the residents. Always remember that you are parking on a residential street at your own risk.
While parking on a residential street is free, it does come at a cost: time and effort. It takes time to find a parking spot, and there is no guarantee that one will be available. After parking, there is a short walk into the center, which can be difficult for groups such as small children, the elderly, or people with disabilities.
Free Short-Term Parking in Winchester
If you only need to make a quick trip into Winchester, the on-street parking bays in the central area can be ideal. These are all within walking distance of the city center and its main attractions, but they are only open for two hours at a time. Remember that you cannot return to the space for at least 4 hours after using it, and always check nearby signage for more information on restrictions.
- Vale Road SO23 0PT
- College Walk SO23 9NG
- St Catherines Road SO23 0PS
- Garnier Road SO23 9PA
- College Street SO23 9NA
- Romans Road SO23 9QR
- Hyde Gate SO23 7EJ
- Saxon Road SO23 7DJ
- St Cross Road SO23 9RE
- Mead Road SO23 9RF
- Ranelagh Road SO23 9TA
- Edgar Road SO23 9SJ
- Christchurch Road SO23 9SR
- Compton Road SO23 9SL
- Beaufort Road SO23 9ST
- Hatherley Road SO22 6RT
- St Pauls Hill SO22 5AB
- Stockbridge Road SO22 6RN
- Cheriton Road SO22 5AZ
- Bereweeke Avenue SO22 6EY
- Greenhill Road SO22 5DU
Free Overnight & Sunday Parking in Winchester
If you plan to stay in Winchester overnight, several streets in the city center become unrestricted after 6 p.m. On Sundays, these same streets are also free all day, making it an ideal day to visit the city. Pay and display fees apply Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The following are the central streets with free overnight and Sunday parking, including postcodes and walking distances to Winchester’s central point:
- Colebrook Street SO23 9LH – 128 ft
- The Broadway SO23 9BE – 0.1 miles
- Market Lane SO23 9AL – 0.2 miles
- Water Lane SO23 0EJ – 0.2 miles
- The Square SO23 9EX – 0.3 miles
- Parchment Street SO23 8AT – 0.4 miles
- St Peter Street SO23 8BS – 0.4 miles
- North Walls SO23 8DB – 0.5 miles
- Upper High Street SO23 8UT – 0.6 miles
- Tower Street SO23 8TA – 0.7 miles
- Victoria Road SO23 7DU – 0.8 miles
- Andover Road SO22 6AU – 1.4 miles
Cheapest Paid Parking Options in Winchester
Of course, there are paid parking options in Winchester, including some that are not too expensive if you know where to look. If you prefer the convenience and security of an official car park, we have compiled a list of the cheapest ones in Winchester, in order of distance from the city center:
- Jewry Street SO23 8RY – £2.90 for 2 hours
- Upper Brook Street SO23 8DF – £2.90 for 2 hours
- The Brooks SO23 8QY – £2.90 for 2 hours
- Friarsgate Multi Storey SO23 8AD – £2.90 for 2 hours
- St Peter’s, Gordon Road SO23 7DD – £2.90 for 2 hours
- River Park Leisure Centre SO23 7DE – £1.00 for 2 hours
- Durngate SO23 8DX – £1.50 for 2 hours
- Cattle Market SO23 7AB – £1.50 for 2 hours
- Chesil, Barfield Close SO23 0HU – £1.50 for 2 hours
We hope that with the information on this page, you will be able to park for free (or for much less money) when you visit Winchester, giving you more time and money to enjoy this beautiful, ancient city.