Dorset County Council has a number of pages of details and maps of car parks, some of which give details of height restrictions and areas where motor homes are catered for.
Bournemouth
On 31st August 2006 Bournemouth Council provided the following information:
The following information relates only to Council operated off street car parks. The Council does not provide specific facilities within its car parks for motorhomes.
1. Height Restrictions - Warren Edge, Hengistbury Head, Solent Beach, Overstrand(closing in September), Landseer Road, Riverlands (Wick Lane), Bournemouth International Centre, Richmond Gardens Multi Storey Car Park.
2. Requirements for parking within bay confines. With the exception of our coach and lorry parks at Queens Road and Kings Park all our car parks carry a restriction of maximum weight of 1500kg. However if all 4 wheels of the vehicle are within the marked bay with minimum overhang we allow the vehicle to park and only pay for one space. However please park sensibly to avoid inconvenience to others. Larger motorhomes would have to use Kings Park or Queens Road.
3. Provision of toilet and waste disposal facilities. There are no waste disposal facilities in our car parks. Some have toilets either within the car park or nearby. These are Leslie Road, Milburn Road, Kings Park (nearby in Athletic Stadium or Bowls Pavilion Café), Alum Chine (on seafront), Durley Chine (in nearby pub), Southbourne Cross Road (public convenience nearby).
4. Provision of spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes and or caravans. There are no spaces designated for these types of vehicle however they can park easily at our lorry and coach parks situated at Kings Park and Queens Road. Queens Road car park is on a bus route and within walking distance to the town centre.
5. Provision for (or ban on) overnight parking. With the exception of our short stay shoppers car parks where parking is limited to either 2 or 4 hours (see web site link below for details), the maximum permitted time is 24 hours. No sleeping or cooking is allowed in any Council car park.
6. Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances. The following car parks would be difficult to enter with a large vehicle: Bath Road North, Bath Road South, Pavilion, Berry Court, Eden Glen and Terrace Mount.
Bournemouth Council have further details on their web site Here.
Christchurch
On 23rd October 2006 Christchurch Borough Council provided a spreadsheet containing car park data. This can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from Here. NB. Since the spreadsheet was prepared a further 4 spaces have been reserved for high vehicles outside of the height barrier at Steamer Point car park.
The council also provided the following information:
1. Height restrictions.Yes - see spreadsheet for details.
2. Requirements for parking within bay confines (including any requirement for purchasing two parking tickets where the length of a vehicle means that it overhangs a second bay at its rear). Yes we adopt the principal of paying for the number of bays occupied.
3. Any provision of toilet and waste disposal facilities. No.
4. Any provision of spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes and/or caravans.No.
5. Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking. Yes but not for overnight sleeping/camping - see spreadsheet.
6. Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances. No.
Christchurch Borough Council has further parking details on the Dorset For You web site Here.
East Dorset District
On 18th September 2006, East Dorset Council pointed out that information was available on their web site Here and that there is a link to the right of that web page to a map showing the Wimborne Minster Town Centre car parks.
The Council stated that, from that list, Allenview North Coach Park is the only site in East Dorset District Council where Motorhomes and Caravans attached to their towing vehicle may park. In response to the specific questions regarding applicable car carks, the Council's response is as follows:
1. There is no height restriction.
2. Must park wholly within coach size bay.
3. There is no provision for toilet or waste disposal.
4. No spaces specifically for motorhomes / caravans.
5. No overnight sleeping is allowed.
6. No restriction of access caused by narrow roads or entrances.
North Dorset District
On 4th September 2006 North Dorset District Council provided the following information:
1. Height restrictions. Two of the car parks within the North Dorset area have height restrictions. Stour Meadows in Blandford St Mary - height restriction of 2.1 meters at all times. Marsh and Ham in Blandford Forum - height restriction of 2.1 meters in the months of August and September.
2. Requirements for parking within bay confines (including any requirement for purchasing two parking tickets where the length of a vehicle means that it overhangs a second bay at its rear). As per Clauses 3.2 and 30.1 respectively of the North Dorset (Off-Street) Parking Places Order 2006:
Clause 3.2 "The driver/owner of a vehicle shall not wait or park on any yellow line or hatched area or cause an obstruction or permit it to wait in a parking place other than in a parking bay and for this purpose, except with the permission of the Council and Parking Attendant, every part of the vehicle must be within the limits of the parking bay and not more than one vehicle shall occupy any one such parking bay."
Clause 30.1 "The owner/driver of an authorised vehicle drawing a trailer (which expression shall be deemed to include a caravan) shall not permit the authorised vehicle or the trailer to wait in a parking place unless they have been disconnected. For the purposes of this Order the authorised vehicle and the trailer shall be deemed to be separate vehicles and the said owner/driver shall be deemed to be the owner/driver of each of the said vehicles and shall be liable to pay the appropriate charge in accordance with this Order in respect of each vehicle."
3. Any provision of toilet and waste disposal facilities. There are toilet and Recycling facilities available at:
Blandford: The Marsh & Ham Car Park, Langton road.
Shaftesbury: Bell Lane.
Sturminster Newton: Station Road Car Park.
Stalbridge: Station Road Car Park.
Gillingham: High Street Car Park.
4. Any provision of spaces specifically aimed at motor homes and/or caravans. Non-recognised in any North Dorset Car Park
5. Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking. As per Clauses 20 thru 22 inclusive of the North Dorset (Off-Street) Parking Places Order 2006:
"21 No person shall use any part of a parking place or any vehicle left in a parking place -
21.1 For sleeping or camping purposes, without the written consent of the Council;
21.2 For eating, cooking or sanitary purposes;
21.3 For the purpose of servicing, maintenance or washing any vehicle or part thereof other than is reasonably necessary to enable that vehicle to depart from that parking place; or
21.4 For playing or participating in any sport or recreation.
22 In a parking place no person shall -
22.1 Erect or cause or permit to be erected any tent, booth, stand, building or other structure without the written consent of the Council.
22.2 Install tables, chairs, benches or other similar items without the written consent of the Council.
22.3 Light or cause or permit to be lit any fire; or
22.4 Affix or attach posters, bills or any advertising material whatsoever to either the walls or structure of that parking place or to any vehicle parked in that parking place."
6. Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances. No known restricted access.
On 21st January 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council confirmed that the only changes had been to toilet facilities as follows:
Shaftesbury: Bell Street – these are being passed to Shaftesbury Town Council to operate (following a refurbish); Coppice Street – these are closed. This block and the land are owned by Tescos who have full responsibility for them.
Stalbridge. – these are being passed to Stalbridge Town Council to operate (following a refurbish)
Sturminster Newton – Station Road. – these are being passed to Stalbridge Town Council to operate (following a refurbish)
Blandford – all the toilets are due to close unless Blandford Town Council is prepared to take them on. Discussions are in place.
North Dorset District Council have further details on their web site Here.
Poole
On 28th September 2006 Poole Borough Council provided the following information:
Our Multi storey car parks have height limits and most of our surface car parks require vehicles to be able to fit within a 2.4m x 4.8m bay but you'll be pleased to hear that the council provides extra large spaces (at no extra charge above the car rate) for large motorcaravans at Baiter slipway, Beach Road and Sandbanks - these are the parts of the Borough that most motorcaravaners like to visit.
As well as the car parks mentioned above, Poole is unusual in being able to accommodate large motor caravans in Seldown car park immediately next to the main shopping centre and also in the popular pay and display bays between the beach and the harbour at Banks Road and Shore Road.
Poole Borough Council has further details of car parks on its web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
(1) NCP town centre; between Dolphin Centre and pool; Last known to be OK in 2000. (Thanks to SL for providing this information on 19 July 2006).
(2) Quay side spaces up to 20 feet long. (Thanks to SL for providing this information on 19 July 2006).
(3) There are a couple of places with no restrictions: In the town centre use the NCP car park, between the Dolphin Centre multi-storey and the swimming pool. There are now designated motorhome spaces at the Baiter car park, higher rates too! The roadway at Baiter is still free parking, about a 2 hour limit. If your 'van is less than 20 feet some of the spaces along the Quay are OK, normal charges seem to apply. In Poole the Baiter car park to the east of the quayside has good views overlooking the harbour and there is parking at Sandbanks for good beaches. Our favourite areas are the Isle of Purbeck from Swanage along to Lulworth Cove. Access from Poole via the Sandbanks chain ferry makes a pleasant diversion with good parking at the National Trust Visitor Centre at Studland Bay. (Note that there is a naturist beach area at the northern end!). This information obtained August 2000. (Anon)
(4) We went to France via Poole last year, and on return noticed there was an overnight parking area for £5 on the right hand side as you drive in. Wish we'd have known as would have planned to stay there in order to catch an early ferry on the way out. The Poole Ferry Port web site has further details Here (Thanks to SW for this information, received 23 February 2007).
(5) We visited Poole last year and saw that wardens were ticketing drivers who had not parked between the marked bays, including a lady who was in a van who was ferrying people around in wheelchairs. I reckon everyone should be wary and make sure to read all the instructions at car parks or ask a Traffic Warden. (Thanks to FD/RA for providing this information on 20 March 2007).
Purbeck District
On 22nd August 2006 Purbeck District Council provided the following information:
Purbeck District Council has responsibility for the following car parks:
West Street, Corfe Castle
Station Road, Corfe Castle (residents only - see below)
Bonnets Lane East, Wareham
Bonnets Lane West, Wareham
Connegar Lane, Wareham
Pound Lane, Wareham (residents only - see below)
Streche Road, Wareham
Turning to your particular questions; none of the car parks have height restrictions, vehicles MUST be parked within bay confines. The only car park with toilet facilities is West Street, Corfe Castle. We have no spaces specifically for motorhomes or caravans and none of them have restricted access caused by narrow roads etc.
Purbeck District Council has further details of car parks on its web site.
Swanage Town Council has details of car parks on its web site Here.
On 21st February 2008, in response to a follow-up request, Purbeck District Council provided the following information:
I can confirm that Purbeck District Council has responsibility for the following public car parks: West Street, Corfe Castle; Bonnets Lane East, Wareham; Bonnets Lane West, Wareham; Connegar Lane, Wareham; Streche Road, Wareham.
The car parks at Station Road Corfe Castle and Pound Lane Corfe Castle are residents car parks for which annual permits available and they should therefore be deleted from the list that appears on your website.
The Council’s current Off street parking order specifies a class of vehicles that includes caravans, caravanettes and dormobiles, it does not specifically say ‘Motorhomes’ but we would consider motorhomes to be covered by the generality of this class. Vehicles falling within this class may park in all of the above car parks provided the vehicle is wholly within a parking bay or in the case of West Street Corfe Castle (which is mainly a grass surface) as directed by a person authorised by the Council.
No height restrictions apply to any of these car parks and there are no weight limits. However, the parking spaces are standard dimensions and larger motorhomes are unlikely to be able to park wholly within a parking bay. All of the car parks can be accessed from the highway. Because the car park at west Street Corfe Castle is mainly a grass surface it would be unsuitable for larger motorhomes in wet weather conditions, but this is a practical consideration rather than a prohibition.
Overnight sleeping is prohibited in all of the car parks.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Norden
Norden Park and Ride site, near Corfe Castle. No size restrictions, and free. Although the site primarily serves the steam railway to Corfe and Swanage, as the terminal building until recently also incorporated a bike hire shop it's presumably OK to park there for other purposes, including visits to the adjacent mining museum and the castle. (Thanks to MB for providing this information on 13 May 2007).
Corfe Castle & Wareham
Over the last two months [April-May] we have visited the following car parks, outside peak periods:
Corfe Castle - National Trust car/coach park, limited spaces for coaches and likely to get full. Car park attendant anxious that we did not stop visiting coaches from parking. Stayed two hours which was ample for us to visit and eat at Corfe.
Wareham - West Street [towards Wareham Hospital] smallish car park but availability for approx 6 coaches to park. We parked here as car parking spaces backed on to banks and we could not 'overhang'. Cost £3 for unlimited time. 1/4 mile walk to high Street.
(Thanks to A&BC for providing this information on 18 June 2007).
Corfe Castle, Wareham & Worth Matravers
3 car parks used in Purbeck, Dorset in mid-July, with a Chausson Flash 03, 6.4metre coachbuilt 'van:
Corfe Castle - West Street Car Park, pay and display, £5 all day. No height barrier, one way system in and out of car park, easy access. Hard earth surface with wooden division markers, spaces are a good size but we could have been blocked in if cars had parked on both sides and opposite to us. One of the best views of the Castle in the village. Midweek, mid-July we had no problems.
Wareham - On the Quayside, on the East side of South Street, where it crosses the river. A small tarmac car park, less than 30 spaces but no height barrier. Pay and display, 4 hours for £2. The noticeboard says "No caravans, no parking outside marked bays". The only place available to us was a 2 space bay at the far left corner. Although we were well over the dividing line, there was room for a Smart car in the remaining space. We expected trouble from a warden, especially as we had to feed the metre after lunch, attending an all-day event nearby. But we had no problems and it looked like a small rising top 'van had spent the night there!
Worth Matravers - Just North of the village on the road due North to Kingston, near the Square & Compass pub. No height barrier, £1 honesty box in wall, easy access despite narrow road. Hard earth surface, spaces are a good size but we could have been blocked in if cars had parked on both sides and opposite to us. Care needed if approaching the village from the East - a sharp 45 degree junction with the road to car park. Midweek, mid-July we had no problems.
(Thanks to DW for providing this information on 29 August 2007).
Corfe Castle
The signposted National Trust car park on the left of the main road at the northern edge of the village is extremely handy. There is a visitor centre there and, on the opposite side of the main road, there is a clearly signed footpath to the castle and village centre - 10 minutes walk (max.). (Thanks to TW for providing this information on 23 December 2007).
Lulworth Cove
Large car park with plenty of spaces large enough for motorhomes. However, the main car park was full to capacity when we visited in mid-October (and the overflow car park was closed) so get there early. (Thanks to TW for providing this information on 23 December 2007).
Swanage
Swanage council now allow overnight parking in the coach park, £6 per night but you have to be away by 09.00. I phoned the council to check and they said OK but the chap who goes round to collect tickets said he knew nothing about it. The council said it will take a "few months" to put new signs up. (Thanks to AB for providing this information on 24 September 2007).
West Dorset District
On 25th August 2006 West Dorset District Council provided a spreadsheet containing car park data. This can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from Here.
On 21st September 2006 West Dorset Council, in response to a question from a member of the Motor Home Facts Forum (click here to view the topic) stated:
Due to the length of most motorhomes many of our car parks are not suitable for motorhome parking. Like many Councils we have a maximum length limitation of 4.8m for any vehicles using our car parks. However we recognise that most motorhomes exceed this length and we have either created longer bays or have permited motorhomes to utilise spaces in our coach parks in at least one car park per town so that motorhome drivers may enjoy the delights of West Dorset. The attached spreadsheet gives details of permited parking places. Maps showing the location of the car parks can be found on Dorsetforyou website Here.
The spreadsheet is the same one as provided on 25th August.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Abbotsbury Swannery
Ample parking on site and the narrow access lane was OK for our coachbuilt. (Thanks to TW for providing this information on 23 December 2007).
Charmouth
Ideal for fossil beach. Small village with a few shops for provisions. Large car park on left when approaching the beach. No marked bays so suitable for all lengths of motor home. No barriers, ample parking space. Gates open approx. 10am. until 9p.m. Charge £1.50 all day. Lovely beach and walks 50 yds. Also cafe serving meals, breakfasts, ice- creams etc. Dogs allowed on the beach. Also another car park adjacent with large grass overflow field. Tried and tested April 2007. (Thanks to G&KM for providing this information on 24 May 2006).
Dorchester
1) We visited recently and parked in the top-of-the-hill car park. Coach parking facilities. Beware of pay machine, not clear which tariff to use, we paid for car [£2 -wrong] then for coach [£3] but good facilities and friendly, short walk to shopping. (Thanks to A&BC for providing this information on 18 June 2007).
2) Enter town from the south on the B3147 (Weymouth Road) and take a right fork onto Weymouth Avenue (towards the station). There is a large car park on the left, almost opposite the station access which, I was assured, rarely gets full. (Thanks to TW for providing this information on 23 December 2007).
Lyme Regis
1) Has motorhome parking bays in a couple of the car parks. Received July 2006. (Anon)
2) There are about 4 or 5 dedicated motorhome spaces down on the Cobb car park which is virtually on the sea front. Unfortunately when we were there recently 4 spaces were occipied by cars and the remaining one had a skip deposited there. We have written to the local council who acknowledged receipt of our letter but have since failed to reply to any of the questions we raised about these motorhome marked bays being used by cars and rubbish skips. (Thanks to M&PK for providing this information on 10 November 2007).
3) Here is a web page set up to convey info and pictures on parking at Lyme Regis. (Thanks to BC for providing this link on 19 November 2007).
Sherborne
1) A height barrier has recently been installed in the main car park in Sherborne. It is only across the entrance, not the exit. It is the hinged variety, but are no instructions on how to get it opened, nor a contact number. Oddly, caravans and trailers are among banned items, but not motorhomes specifically. (Thanks to TG for this information, received 6 April 2007).
2) An update on the height barriers in Sherborne, Dorset. These are swung open during the day and motorhomes now have access. The 'closing' times are not displayed and seem to vary!. (Thanks to TG for this information, received 17 August 2007).
West Bay
Has large car park on outskirts no height restrictions which motorhomes are welcome in. (Thanks to JH for providing this information on 21 July 2006).
West Bexington
I was very annoyed to find that West Dorset Council do not even allow parking during the day for any Motorvan over about (9) feet long - i.e. bigger than the standard parking space. This was at the West Bexington Beach Car Park, for Chesil Beach - which is real trek to get to in any case! It is not evident from the signage until you are already in the Car-park. The Council Attendant was friendly enough but the whole thing severely marred my day/overnight stop there for a fishing competition, as the Caravan Site was a mile or two away, up a steep road - with a load of sea-fishing kit.. Thank God I got a lift in both directions, after checking it out on my bike!. (Thanks to PM for providing this information on 23 November 2007).
Weymouth & Portland
On 5th September 2006 Weymouth & Portland Borough Council provided the following information:
Height restrictions. None.
Requirements for parking within bay confines. Vehicles must be parked within marked parking spaces - a ticket is required for any space that is fully or partly occupied by a vehicle.
Any provision of toilet and waste disposal facilities. None of our parking sites have waste disposal facilities. The Swannery, Lodmoor, Chesil Beach, Portland Bill and Nothe Car Parks do have toilet facilities.
Any provision of spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes and/or caravans. There is no specific provision for motorhomes. It is worth noting, however, that the layout of certain sites, especially the Swannery Car Park, have led to some larger spaces being created. In addition, the Chesil Beach and Overcombe Car Parks have a shingle surface and therefore do not have marked bays. Consequently, these sites are better suited for motorhomes. The parking of caravans in our car parks is prohibited except the Chesil Beach site which allows caravans between 0800-Midnight.
Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking. This information is on our website (see below). Additionally, where overnight parking is allowed, it does not permit overnight sleeping.
Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances. Following repeated illegal encampments, the Beach Car Park now has a width limit of 2.1m (6'11"). All other car parks are not affected.
Weymouth & Portland Borough Council has further details of car parks on its web site.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Weymouth
1) The car park at the pavilion (where the ferry used to go from) has long spaces formerly for coaches and a very wide pavement area which you can reverse up to and hang your rear end over!! (Thanks to JH for providing this information on 21 July 2006).
2) We visited recently and parked in British Rail [Jubilee] car park behind the station next to B&Q with the coaches. Gravel surface, no marked bays, short walk to sea front and retail outlet stores and park [dog walking friendly] reasonable price. (Thanks to A&BC for providing this information on 18 June 2007).
3) We have read in MMM that readers have found Weymouth in Dorset unfriendly to Motorhomes, and I can't comment on that, but we found that there is a huge park on Chesil Beach without any marked bays and it can take any number of Motorhomes. Wonderful walks up Portland Bill from there. (Thanks to TC for providing this information on 28 October 2007).
4) I have always found the parking and carpark officers in Weymouth friendly and helpful. Parking behind the Pavilion Theatre (particularly behind the cafe near the ferry terminal) is straightforward with large spaces available. Directly behind the theatre the spaces are smaller and the carpark can be busy – especially when shows are taking place. The Swannery carpark is a good alternative. It also has a number of larger spaces suitable for motorhomes. On Thursday (10.00am-3.00pm) between Easter and Autumn about 1/3 of this car park is taken up with market stalls. The access to the carpark opposite the Swannery (adjacent to B&Q) has recently (January 2008) been fitted with a 2.2m rising barrier so is no longer accessible to most motorhomes and campers. As this park was also used in the past by buses and coaches visiting Weymouth there is a possibility that the barrier may be lifted during the summer. (Thanks to CAB for providing this information on 21 February 2008).
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Last updated: 23 March 2008