Drivers are encountering "ripoff" parking charges of up to £30 per day at British seaside towns, which the AA warns could be deterring tourists and impacting the vibrancy of these coastal communities. According to an analysis of 10,594 AA members, a third of drivers facing parking costs between £20 and £30 for six hours would either leave the resort immediately or vow not to return.
In addition to daily parking fees, some councils are also increasing peak-season fines. Bournemouth, for example, has introduced fines of £110 to £160 in August, more than double the usual £50 to £70. While these measures are intended to discourage illegal parking such as on verges or double yellow lines, the AA suggests that steep parking charges may be contributing to the problem. Research indicates that only 1% of drivers facing high parking charges would consider parking illegally.
Several towns have notably high parking costs. Rother District Council charges £30 for over six hours at Camber Sands from April 1, 2026. Brighton charges £18 at its Black Rock and King Alfred car parks, and East Devon seaside car parks can cost £2.20 per hour. In Southend-on-Sea, beachfront parking can be as high as £3 per hour, depending on the zone.
In contrast, many coastal car parks in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland remain free. Aberdeenshire offers a voluntary parking charge system. Other councils are implementing measures like red routes to prevent parking on roadsides and pavements.
Jack Cousens, the AA's head of roads policy, stated that while summer visitors are crucial for the economy of coastal resorts, some councils appear to use parking charges to offset financial shortfalls. He noted that AA research shows these high charges can drive visitors away. While acknowledging that illegal parking is unacceptable, Cousens pointed out that parking charges approaching or exceeding half-rate early payment fines can inadvertently encourage such behavior. He added that the situation where a third of drivers seek alternative legal parking options is being created by some councils.
These parking costs come at a time when the government is attempting to support families with summer savings. From September 1, 2026, VAT will be temporarily cut on certain items and attractions to reduce the cost of days out and boost footfall. The Great British Summer Savings scheme aims to make children's meals, cinema tickets, and attraction entry more affordable.
The AA's research also revealed that only about a quarter of drivers check parking costs before heading to the beach. Twelve percent assume charges will be similar to those at home, and 7% always check in advance due to previous experiences with high resort parking fees. The AA advises checking parking costs ahead of time, as it might influence the choice of destination. For instance, daily parking at Hayling Island is £11.50, while Portsmouth's Southsea costs £9.60 for six to eight hours. Parking at West Wittering, Sussex, is £14.60 on weekdays without pre-booking, rising to £16.25 on weekends and bank holidays.