One UK seaside town is charging £24 for a day's parking - while another demands just £2 - see the top 10

Loading up the family car and heading to the coast for a day has long been a British ritual. But in recent years, the cost of parking has put a damper on proceedings for some - leaving less money for fish and chips, dodgems, and donkey rides.

But some coastal destinations demand far more than others to park up.

A new study by Motorscan has revealed the huge variance in parking fees across the UK's coastal meccas.

The report looked at the cost of parking within a 30-minute walk of town, for eight hours.


Parking charges in Brighton are high

East Sussex town charges a premium for parking

Marking the high tide is ever-popular Brighton, where an eight-hour stay costs an average of £24.41.

At under 1.5 hours' drive from Central London, Brighton is within striking distance for several million people and it seems the East Sussex town has adopted capital pricing - at least in terms of parking fees.

In second spot is Newquay, where parking charges are half that of the "Old Ocean's Bauble" - at £12.32 on average. Surfing, rugged beaches, and an effervescent nightlife make Newquay a perennial favourite among Brits.

Third most costly is Falmouth, just 45 minutes away from Newquay, on the opposite coast. Here you'll pay £12.12 for a day's parking.

In fourth place is Southend-on-Sea at £11.50, famed for its impressive aquarium, theme park - and of course the Southend Pier.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, demands £10.42 for parking, while St Ives (the third Cornish destination in the top 10) charges £10.33.

The idyllic Devonshire fishing town of Ilfracombe will set you back £10 in parking fees, while Eastbourne (40 minutes from Brighton) charges £9.06. The top 10 is rounded out by Portsmouth (£8.63) and Whitby (£8.30).

Which seaside town has the lowest parking fees?

St Andrews in Scotland has the most reasonable parking charges, at just £1.90 for a day - that's nearly 13 times less than Brighton.

Other destinations with lower parking fees include Colwyn Bay in Wales at £5.84 and Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, at £5.33. Morecambe, meanwhile, asks just £4.33 for a day's parking.

Top 10 most costly UK seaside towns for a day's parking:

  1. Brighton (average cost of £24.21)
  2. Newquay (average cost of £12.32)
  3. Falmouth (average cost of £12.12)
  4. Southend-on-Sea (average cost of £11.50)
  5. Bournemouth (average cost of £10.42)
  6. St Ives (average cost of £10.33)
  7. Ilfracombe (average cost of £10)
  8. Eastbourne (average cost of £9.06)
  9. Portsmouth (average cost of £8.63)
  10. Whitby (average cost of £8.30)

Motorscan's Head of Vehicle Intelligence, Oliver Thompson, commented: "As evidenced by our latest study, parking costs can significantly impact holiday experiences, especially during peak periods like Easter half-term. Brighton's staggering average parking fee of £24.21 tops the charts, highlighting the financial strain families may face when planning beach outings.

"On the contrary, St Andrews emerges as a beacon of affordability, offering seaside parking at just £1.90 on average. These findings underscore the importance of informed decision-making and strategic planning to maximise enjoyment while minimising expenses during holiday travels. Just make sure that you’re prioritising safety and security when deciding where to park your car too."