Car Parking and Parking Permits

Electric Vehicle Charging Facilities

Electric Vehicle Charging Facilities - the Town Council has two Open Charge POD Point electric vehicle charging points in its Main Beach car park, and one in its Mermond Place car park and is currently looking to increase its provision. Please follow the links above for further information, charging instructions, and live availability.

Blue Badge Holders

A number of spaces for Blue Badge holders are allocated in all car parks, but please note that pay and display parking charges apply.  A list of the charges payable can be accessed here.

Dorset Council Restricted Mobility Permits

Holders of a Dorset Council issued Restricted Mobility Permit are entitled to park in all of the Council’s pay & display car parks (with the exception of the Co-operative car park) up to 3 hours for free, once per day.  You can use the permit in any parking bay, including disabled bays.  You must display your Blue Badge and permit and set the clock at the time you arrive.

For details of eligibility and how to apply for a permit please visit: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/blue-badge-parking-in-car-parks

Motorhomes 

Provision has been made for the parking of larger Motorhomes in the Main Beach and North Beach car parks, with a small number of bays available in the Broad Road car park.  These bays are called Multi-Use bays and are for the use of vehicles in excess of 4.8m in length (the size of a standard parking bay). 

Motorhomes may be parked in a standard bay if the vehicle can fit wholly within these bays.

Motorhomes are prohibited in all of the council’s car parks between 10 pm and 8 am.  Camping, cooking and overnight sleeping are also prohibited.  There are, however, a variety of campsites and holiday parks in the local area offering such facilities, please contact Swanage Information Centre, or visit the 'Visit Dorset' tourism website, for further information or assistance.

Residents’ Car Parking Permit

Residents of Swanage and the surrounding villages of Langton Matravers, Studland, Worth Matravers, Harmans Cross, Corfe Castle, Kingston, Church Knowle, Kimmeridge and Steeple are eligible to apply for a Residents’ Car Parking Permit. This entitles the permit holder to park in the Residents’ Car Park, off Horsecliffe Lane behind the Recreation Ground. A small hourly charge applies in the summer, but parking is free in the winter.  A pay & display or virtual ticket must be displayed at all times between 10am and 7pm.

You can apply for a residents' parking permit by submitting copies of the following documents to the Town Council - both documents must be registered to the same address within the civil parish of either Swanage or one of the villages listed above only:

• Your current Council Tax Bill and 
• Vehicle Registration Document (V5)

Please note that an administration charge of £6 will be charged for each new or replacement permit.

Please see the information sheet for further details and for information on how to apply and pay for the permit: Residents' Parking Permit information sheet.

Seasonal and Annual Permits

Seasonal and Annual permits are available for the Main Beach and North Beach car parks, at a cost of £380 annually or £285 for the Summer Season (1st April - 31st October). Please email admin@swanage.gov.uk for more details.

Excess Charge Tickets - Payments and Appeals

If your enquiry relates to the payment of an excess charge notice, payments can be made by card/cash in person at the Town Hall, High Street, Swanage, BH19 2NZ, by direct bank transfer to Swanage Town Council, Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-99-12, Account No. 01275158, or you can phone 01929 423636 to pay by card.

You must include the five-digit Excess Charge Notice number and your vehicle registration number as the reference for these payments, without which we will be unable to match the payment to the notice, and you may continue to receive payment demands. Thank you.

If your enquiry relates to an appeal, please send the following information by email to appeals@swanage.gov.uk, or by post to the above address within 14 days of the date of issue:

• ECN number (found at the top right-hand corner of the notice)
• Vehicle registration number
• Your full name
• The reasons for your appeal and any supporting documentation.

Without this information, we will not be able to process your appeal, and your case will not be placed on hold. Please allow up to four weeks for your appeal to be processed. During this period, it is not necessary to contact us regarding receipt or progress.

While your appeal is under review, the reduced fee remains valid, and the excess charge will not increase. Please do not make payment for your ECN while awaiting a response, as doing so will close your case.

JustPark cashless parking payment facilities

The Town Council is delighted to be working with JustPark to make parking easy and stress-free for residents and visitors. The user-friendly payment system offers a quick and reliable alternative to cash - giving drivers more choice and providing a positive parking experience.

Please visit our 'Cashless Parking in Swanage with JustPark' page for full details and instructions, and to download the app.

See details of car parks in Swanage through the links above.

See details of car parks in Dorset at: www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/travel-dorset/roads-and-driving/parking