Parking in Havant
Car parks, charges and where to leave your vehicle
Havant has several public car parks serving the town centre, managed by Havant Borough Council. The main car parks are located around The Springs shopping centre and the surrounding streets, providing reasonably convenient access to the shops, the library and the civic buildings.
The car parks near The Springs are the most heavily used, particularly on Saturdays and in the run-up to Christmas. Charges apply during the day, with rates set by the borough council and reviewed periodically. Payment is typically by machine, with card payment increasingly available alongside coins. Some car parks offer a period of free short-stay parking for quick visits, while longer stays incur higher charges.
Havant railway station has its own car park, operated separately from the council car parks. This serves commuters who drive to the station and leave their car for the day. The station car park can fill up by mid-morning on weekdays, and some commuters park on nearby residential streets, which can cause friction with residents.
On-street parking is available on some town centre streets, though restrictions vary. Yellow lines, residents' parking zones and time-limited bays all feature, and drivers should check signage carefully to avoid penalties. The streets immediately around the town centre have the most restrictive parking controls.
The supermarkets outside the town centre have their own car parks, typically free for customers within a time limit. These are well used by shoppers and, controversially, sometimes by people visiting the town centre who prefer free parking to the charged council car parks. Automatic number plate recognition cameras at some stores enforce the time limits.
Parking at Langstone, the harbour and the Billy Trail access points can be limited, particularly on fine weekends when walkers and cyclists descend on the area. The small car park at Langstone fills quickly, and overspill parking on the surrounding roads can be a problem.
For visitors to Havant, the main advice is to head for the town centre car parks if visiting the shops, or to the station car park if catching a train. Arriving early helps, particularly at weekends. The council website provides current information on charges, locations and any temporary closures.
Parking at Langstone, the harbour and the Billy Trail access points can be limited, particularly on fine weekends when walkers and cyclists descend on the area. The small car park at Langstone fills quickly, and overspill parking on the surrounding roads can be a problem. For visitors to Havant, the main advice is to head for the town centre car parks if visiting the shops, or to the station car park if catching a train. Arriving early helps, particularly at weekends. The council website provides current information on charges, locations and any temporary closures. The balance between providing adequate parking and discouraging unnecessary car use is a tension that every town must manage, and Havant is no exception.