Boden Street Car Park – The Chard Town Centre & Leisure Hub Guide

? Type: Council-Run Long Stay

? Open: 24/7 (Charges apply Mon–Sat, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

? Rating: 4.1/5 (Google Reviews)

? Pricing & Permits

Cost (2026 Rates):

• Up to 1 hour: £0.80
• Up to 2 hours: £1.40
• Up to 3 hours: £1.80
• All Day: £3.20

Payment: Coins at the machine or via the PayByPhone app (Location Code: 809128).

Free Periods: Historically free on Sundays and Bank Holidays, though check the signage for any 2026 “Sunday Flat Rate” updates—Somerset Council has been rolling these out recently!

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? Capacity & Physical Features

Feature	Detail
Total Spaces	~85 bays
Surface	Tarmac (mostly smooth, well-marked)
Lighting	Standard street-level lighting
Security	Open lot; generally low risk but no active 24/7 security
Height Limit	None (Ideal for high-roof vans & motorhomes)

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♿ Accessibility

Disabled Access: Generally level and paved, with a direct pedestrian route toward the High Street and Leisure Centre.

Designated Bays: Several dedicated Blue Badge bays are located near the pedestrian exits.

Blue Badge Policy: Normal charges apply unless otherwise stated on local signage (Somerset Council policy generally requires payment in most town-centre lots).

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? EV Infrastructure

On-Site Charging: None. (The old chargers here were removed/decommissioned).

Nearest Options:

• Marketfield Car Park (3-min walk): 22kW Scottish Power chargers.
• Lidl (5-min walk): 50kW Rapid Chargers for a quicker boost while you grab groceries.

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? Peak Times & Occupancy

Live Demand Patterns

Timeframe	Occupancy	User Profile
Weekdays 9 AM–11 AM	80%	Gym-goers & Library users
Tuesdays (Market Day)	95%	Market shoppers & traders
Saturdays 10 AM–3 PM	100%	Weekend shoppers
Evenings after 6 PM	30%	Residents & Leisure Centre users

Pro Tip: If Boden Street is full, The Minnows car park (just off Bath St) is a great long-stay alternative with similar rates.

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? Walkability Score

Destination	Walk Time	Key Benefit
Chard Leisure Centre	1-min	Direct access via pedestrian steps
Chard Guildhall	4-min	Local events & community hub
Fore Street (High St)	3-min	Main shops, banks, and cafes
Lidl	5-min	Budget groceries

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? Nearby Amenities

Essentials

• Public Toilets: Located at the Bath Street car park (4-min walk).
• ATM: NatWest and Nationwide on the High Street (3-min walk).
• Pharmacy: Boots and Superdrug on Fore Street.

Food & Drink

• The Phoenix Hotel (4-min): Great for a classic pub lunch.
• Eleos Cafe (3-min): Award-winning local coffee and cake.
• Chard Fish & Chips (2-min): Located right across the street—perfect for a post-gym treat!

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?️ Alternative Parking Comparison

Site	Distance	Cost	Max Stay	Advantage
Bath Street	4-min	£0.80/hr	4 hours	On-site public toilets
Crowshute	6-min	£2.00/day	Long Stay	Cheapest “All Day” option
Marketfield	3-min	£0.80/hr	Short Stay	Closest to the Post Office

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⚠️ Important Notices

The Leisure Centre Link: There are steps leading directly from this car park up to the Leisure Centre. If you have mobility issues, be aware that these steps are quite steep; you may prefer the flatter route via the main road entrance.

ANPR Monitoring: The council wardens are very active here on Market Days (Tuesdays). Make sure your ticket or app session doesn’t expire!

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? Expert Tips

• The “Gym Hack”: If you’re a regular at the Leisure Centre, check if your membership allows for any parking discounts. The “pay-per-visit” cost adds up quickly!
• Van Lifers: This is one of the few central Chard lots without a height barrier, making it the best spot for large campers or tradesmen’s vans.
• Avoid the Steps: If it’s raining, the steps to the Leisure Centre can get slippery. Stick to the paved slope around the side for a safer (if slightly longer) walk.

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? Future Developments

• Late 2026: Discussions about adding 2-4 dedicated EV bays are ongoing as part of the Somerset Council Green Initiative.
• 2027: Proposed resurfacing of the far corner which currently suffers from some minor pooling during heavy rain.