Where to Park in Tynemouth
A practical guide to car parks, permit zones, and parking tips in Tynemouth — including Priors Haven, Sea View, and Spanish Battery, plus advice for busy summer weekends.
Parking in Tynemouth is the perennial frustration for visitors and residents alike. The village is small, the car parks are smaller, and on a sunny summer weekend you can spend longer looking for a space than you do on the beach.
Here's a straightforward guide to your options.
The Three Main Car Parks
Priors Haven (Pier Road)
- Spaces: 76 standard + 4 disabled + 1 motorcycle
- Cost: Free
- Maximum stay: 2 hours (no return within 4 hours), 8am-6pm
- Best for: Quick visits to the Priory, King Edward's Bay, or the Fish Quay end of the headland
The most popular car park in Tynemouth — and it fills fast. The 2-hour limit means it's not suitable for a full beach day or a leisurely market visit. Enforcement is active.
Sea View (Oxford Street)
- Spaces: 23 standard + 2 disabled
- Cost: £1.20 (1 hour), £2.40 (2 hours), £3.00 (all day, 9am-6pm)
- Best for: The market, Front Street shops, and Longsands beach access
Small but centrally located, near the station and Front Street. Blue Badge holders and motorcycles park free. Fills early on market weekends.
Spanish Battery (Pier Road)
- Spaces: 51
- Cost: £1.20 (1 hour), up to £3.00 (3-hour maximum)
- Free parking: 6pm-9am
- Best for: Evening visits, Priory walks, sunset on the headland
Slightly further from the village centre but useful for the Priory and coastal walks. Free after 6pm makes it ideal for summer evening strolls.
Best for: All three car parks combined offer fewer than 160 spaces for a village that attracts thousands of visitors on sunny weekends.
Residents' Permit Zones
Most streets surrounding Front Street and the seafront are residents' permit zones or limited to short-stay pay-and-display. If you're visiting, do not assume you can park on any nearby street — check the signage carefully. Enforcement is regular, particularly in summer.
Summer Weekend Advice
On warm weekends between May and September, expect all car parks to be full by 10am. Residents report circling for 30 minutes or more. If you're visiting for the beach or the market on a sunny day:
- Arrive before 9:30am — or accept that you may not find a space
- Try side streets further from the seafront — but read restriction signs carefully
- Consider parking at Cullercoats or North Shields and walking along the coast (15-20 minutes from either)
- Take the Metro — Tynemouth station is on Front Street, directly beside the market and a short walk from both beaches
The Metro Alternative
Honestly, the easiest way to visit Tynemouth — especially at weekends — is to leave the car at home. The Tyne and Wear Metro runs to Tynemouth every 10-12 minutes from Newcastle city centre (approximately 25 minutes). The station is in the heart of the village, steps from Front Street, the market, and both beaches.
A day ticket costs around £5-6 and removes all parking stress entirely.
Best for: The Metro runs every 10-12 minutes from Newcastle. No parking stress, no circling, no ticket machines.
Parking information is correct as of early 2026. Check North Tyneside Council's parking page for any changes to tariffs or restrictions.