If you’re thinking of hitting the coast this summer, you might want to check the parking charges before you set off, because in some seaside towns, the cost to leave your car could blow your fish and chips budget.
A new study by CritiqueJeu, using Parkopedia data, has revealed the most and least expensive places to park for eight hours within a short stroll of 30 popular UK beach towns, and the difference is huge.
Cheapest seaside parking
Top of the cheap list is St Andrews by-the-Sea in Scotland, where you can park for just £1.90 all day. That’s followed by Hornsea, East Yorkshire (£1.98) and Portrush, Northern Ireland (£3.47). At those prices, you’ve still got plenty left for ice cream.
Most expensive seaside parking
At the other end of the scale, Brighton tops the list with a jaw-dropping £24.21 for eight hours. That’s nearly double the price of Newquay (£12.32) in second place and just above Falmouth (£12.12) in third. Southend-on-Sea (£11.50) and Bournemouth (£10.42) complete the top five.
Paul Lenglet from CritiqueJeu said: “With temperatures set to soar yet again in the coming days, the UK's beaches will be busier than ever. But for drivers, the cost of parking could be as scorching as the weather itself.
"When fuel costs and refreshment prices now push many day-trip totals past £60 per family, the parking bill can be a real tipping point for many.
"Parking might not be the most glamorous part of a seaside trip, but our research shows it can make a surprising dent in your budget. Picking the right town could mean more for fish and chips, and less for the parking meter."
The least and most expensive parking in UK beach towns
| Seaside destination | Average cost for eight hours |
|---|---|
| 1. Brighton | £24.21 |
| 2. Newquay | £12.32 |
| 3. Falmouth | £12.12 |
| 4. Southend-on-Sea | £11.50 |
| 5. Bournemouth | £10.42 |
| 6. St Ives | £10.33 |
| 7. Ilfracombe | £10.00 |
| 8. Eastbourne | £9.06 |
| 9. Portsmouth | £8.63 |
| 10. Whitby | £8.30 |
| 11. Torquay | £7.95 |
| 12. Padstow | £7.83 |
| 13. Margate | £7.60 |
| 14. Blackpool | £7.59 |
| 15. Weston Super-Mare | £7.11 |
| 16. Scarborough | £7.08 |
| 17. Deal | £7.05 |
| 18. Perranporth | £6.83 |
| 19. Llandudno | £6.35 |
| 20. Staithes | £6.10 |
| 21. Filey | £6.00 |
| 22. Colwyn Bay | £5.84 |
| 23. Tenby | £5.75 |
| 24. Dover | £5.55 |
| 25. Burnham-on-Sea | £5.33 |
| 26. Bridlington | £4.60 |
| 27. Morecambe | £4.33 |
| 28. Portrush | £3.47 |
| 29. Hornsea | £1.98 |
| 30. St Andrews | £1.90 |
