Parking in Southport isn't as bad as people think. I say this as someone who lives here and has spent the better part of four decades occasionally circling car parks. The town has plenty of options — the trick is knowing which ones to use and when.
Town centre car parks
The main town centre car parks are clustered around Lord Street and the Market area. They fill up on weekends, but there's usually something available if you're patient and know where to look. The multi-storey options tend to have more availability than the surface car parks, and they're usually fairly central.
- →Lord Street car park — central, convenient, busy on weekends
- →Market Street multi-storey — slightly less well-known, often has spaces when others are full
- →Ocean Plaza — if you're visiting the seafront and don't mind a short walk
Seafront parking
Marine Drive along the seafront has parking with sea views. It's popular in summer and can fill up by mid-morning on a good weather day. The advantage is that you're already at the beach when you park. Worth the early arrival if that's your plan.
Free parking — yes, it exists
There is residential parking on the outskirts of the town centre that's free for a limited period. Some of the residential streets near the edge of the shopping area have unrestricted parking for 30–60 minutes. Worth knowing if you're popping in quickly. Not worth attempting for a full day.
During events
During The Open Championship, the Flower Show, the Air Show, and the Comedy Festival, parking in Southport gets dramatically more complicated. Use the park and ride where it's available. Don't try to drive to Royal Birkdale or Victoria Park during these events — it's not worth the stress.
📱The RingGo app works across most Southport car parks and saves you carrying coins. Worth setting up before you visit. Some car parks also accept contactless payment directly at the machine now.
The honest picture
Southport is not a city. Parking is manageable with a bit of planning. The issues tend to arise on sunny summer weekends and during major events — both of which are predictable. Plan for them, and you'll be fine.
Terry
Chief Editor, SouthportGuide.co.uk — Lives in Churchtown with his wife,
four kids, and Frank the bulldog.
