A study from online journal CritiqueJeu has named Brighton as the UK’s most expensive seaside resort for parking, with the city’s car parks charging up to £24.21 for eight hours, while St Andrews came in cheapest at a cost of just £1.90.
Online journal CritiqueJeu has published a study that names Brighton the most expensive UK holiday destination in terms of parking, with eight hours at the popular East Sussex resort costing as much as £24.21 – twice that of second place entry Newquay.
The research, compiled using Parkopedia data, focused on car parks located less than 30 minutes’ walk from the centre of several prominent seaside towns, with St Andrews in Scotland claiming the title of cheapest seaside parking in the UK.
“With temperatures set to soar yet again in the coming days, the UK’s beaches will be busier than ever,” said Critique Jeu’s Paul Lenglet. “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.”
Falmouth, Southend-on-Sea and Bournemouth joined Brighton and Newquay in the top five most expensive resorts, charging between £12.12 and £10.42 for the same eight hours of parking. St Ives, Ilfracombe, Eastbourne, Portsmouth and Whitby completed the top ten, charging between £10.33 and £8.30.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, Hornsea was the only resort to join St Andrews in charging less than £2 for an eight hour stay, with fees at the East Riding resort coming in at £1.98.
Portrush charges visitors £3.47, while Morecambe and Bridlington charge £4.33 and £4.60 respectively.
Commenting on the report, the Daily Mail criticised the “eye-watering” charges at many of the resorts listed, adding “drivers are warned to brace themselves for sky-high prices.”
Highest seaside parking rates for 8 hour stays
Most Expensive 10
1. Brighton £ 24.21
2. Newquay £ 12.32
3. Falmouth £ 12.12
4. Southend £ 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
Lowest seaside parking rates for 8 hour stays
The Cheapest 10
1. St Andrews £ 1.90
2. Hornsea £ 1.98
3. Portrush £ 3.47
4. Morecambe £ 4.33
5. Bridlington £ 4.60
6. Burnham-on-Sea £ 5.33
7. Dover £ 5.55
8. Tenby £ 5.75
9. Colwyn Bay £ 5.84
10. Filey £ 6.00
