
Affordable council-run parking in Barnhamโs centre โ steps from village shops, cafรฉs & Barnham Station. Safe, convenient, and comprehensive for stress-free visits.
๐ Type: Council-Managed Pay & Display Car Park
๐ Open: 8:00 AM โ 8:00 PM MonโSat (Closed Sundays)
๐ Rating: N/A (no Google reviews yet)
๐ฐ Pricing & Permits
Cost: First 20 minutes free (ticket required), then ยฃ1 per hour (approx. ยฃ5 for all-day).
Payment: Pay & Display machine (accepts coins/contactless) or PayByPhone app (site code provided on signage).
Future Changes: No parking fees on Sundays (car park closed); potential tariff review in 2026 alongside local development plans.
๐ Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~60 (including 4 designated disabled bays) |
| Surface | Asphalt (level, clearly marked bays & crossings) |
| Lighting | Heritage-style lampposts (moderate coverage) |
| Security | CCTV at entrance (recorded, not 24/7 monitored) |
| Height Limit | None (open-air, no height restrictions) |
โฟ Accessibility
Disabled Access: Yes โ 4 Blue Badge bays available near the entrance. Smooth, level surface throughout for easy wheelchair maneuvering.
Nearest Adapted Parking: Barnham Station car park (~2-min walk) offers additional disabled spaces with step-free access to platforms.
Drop-Off Zone: Unofficial drop-off possible at car park entrance (brief stops allowed using the 20-min free ticket for quick pickups).
๐ EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None (no electric charging points in this car park at present).
Nearest Options:
Barnham Station Pod Point (0.1 mi, ~2-min walk) โ 4x 7kW fast chargers available in station car park.
Lidl Bognor Regis (4 mi, ~10-min drive) โ 50kW rapid charger (Pod Point) for quick top-ups while shopping.
๐
Peak Times & Occupancy
Live Demand Patterns
| Timeframe | Occupancy | Typical Users |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 7โ9 AM | ~80% | Commuters (catching mid-morning trains) |
| Weekdays 11 AMโ2 PM | ~60% | Shoppers & local errands (lunchtime rush) |
| Saturday 10 AMโ1 PM | ~90% | Weekend shoppers (village stores and cafรฉs) |
| Evenings after 6 PM | ~20% | Takeaway patrons (quick dinner pickups) |
Pro Tip: If The Square car park is full, use Barnham Stationโs larger car park (130+ spaces) just a 2-minute walk away via footpath.
๐ถ Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Barnham Station | 4 min | Ideal for rail commuters โ avoid station car park crowd by parking here (20-min free for drop-offs) |
| Village Green & Shops | 1 min | Direct access to Barnhamโs village green and shops (post office, convenience store) |
| Co-op Food (Groceries) | 1 min | Convenient supermarket for everyday essentials right next to the car park |
| Murrell Arms Pub | 7 min | Historic local pub โ enjoy food & drink without worrying about parking time limits |
๐ Nearby Amenities
Essentials:
Public Toilets: No dedicated on-site facilities. Nearest restrooms at Barnham Station (5-min walk, open during station hours).
ATM: Available at the Barnham Trading Post/Post Office (2-min walk) and inside Co-op (during store hours).
Pharmacy: Five Villages Pharmacy (Barnham Rd, 3-min walk) for prescriptions and health needs.
Post Office: Barnham Post Office (inside Barnham Trading Post, 2-min walk) offers full postal services and banking basics.
Food Options:
Sussex Barista (1-min walk) โ Cozy cafรฉ for breakfast, barista coffee, and light bites, open early mornings.
Passage to India (1-min walk) โ Popular Indian restaurant & takeaway with authentic cuisine (evening hours).
Barnham Kebab & Pizza (1-min walk) โ Late-night fast-food spot offering kebabs, pizza, and fish & chips for quick meals.
๐ ฟ๏ธ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnham Station Car Park | 0.1 mi (2-min walk) | ~ยฃ5/day | 24h | Large capacity, CCTV-monitored (good for all-day parking) |
| Barnham Community Hall (Murrellโs Field) | 0.4 mi (5โ7 min walk) | Free | Unlimited | 40+ free spaces (often available outside of event days) |
| On-Street (Barnham Road) | <0.1 mi (adjacent) | Free (1h)* | 1h (est.) | Short-term convenience for quick errands (limited bays, time-restricted) |
โ ๏ธ Important Notices
Overnight Parking: Not permitted โ gates are locked at 8 PM nightly. Vehicles left after closing risk being locked in or fined.
Event Days: During local events like the Music at Murrellโs Field summer festival or holiday fairs, expect this car park to fill early and traffic delays in the village. Plan ahead or use alternative parking on those days.
Maintenance: Periodic maintenance and inspections occur (last resurfacing in 2019). Any planned closures (e.g. line repainting or surface repairs) are announced by Arun Council โ next expected in late 2025.
๐ Expert Tips
Commuter Alert: The car park only opens at 8:00 AM โ if you need to catch an earlier train, use Barnham Stationโs car park instead.
Station Pickup Hack: Picking up someone from a train? Park here and use the 20-minute free ticket instead of paying at the station drop-off โ a quick walk to the platforms saves money and hassle.
Ticket Reminder: Always obtain and display a ticket, even for the free 20-minute stay. Enforcement is strict โ many drivers have been fined for skipping the ticket on a โfreeโ short stop.
Rain Alert: After heavy rain, avoid parking in the far end bays โ minor puddles can form due to slow drainage. Stick to central or entrance-area spaces for a drier spot.
๐ฎ Future Developments
2025: Arun District Council is exploring installing EV charging points here as part of a wider initiative, which could add a few electric bays (subject to funding and approval).
2026+: A proposed mixed-use redevelopment of The Square (including ~37 new homes above/around the shops) is in the planning stages. Plans pledge to retain equivalent parking capacity and improve facilities. During any construction phase, temporary parking arrangements may be provided to minimize disruption.