Somerset Unlocked: Park and Pay with JustPark on the National Parking Platform

Somerset Parking and the National Parking Platform: Everything You Need to Know

Somerset Council launches the National Parking Platform (NPP) for JustPark Park and Pay customers on 22 September 2026, unlocking a new way to pay for parking across the county and introducing JustPark as one of the apps you can use in council-controlled car parks across Somerset.

It's the easiest way to park and pay in Somerset's council-run car parks — get a reminder before your session expires, extend your stay from your phone if plans change, and skip the cash, machines and paper tickets with a digital receipt every time.

If you'd rather have it sorted in advance, you can also pre-book Somerset parking ahead of time across driveways and private spaces, including around Glastonbury, Wells and Clarks Village.

Now, let's explore what makes Somerset worth visiting.

What to Do in Somerset

1. Wells — Park Up or Book Ahead

England's smallest city is built around Wells Cathedral, the first English cathedral built entirely in the Gothic style, with the medieval Bishop's Palace, Vicars' Close and the Wells and Mendip Museum all within a short walk of the centre.

Nearby you'll also find:

• Wells Cathedral — the 12th-century seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells

• Bishop's Palace — moated gardens right beside the cathedral

• Vicars' Close — one of the oldest continuously inhabited streets in Europe

Union Street Car Park, Princes Road Car Park and Tucker Street Car Park, all close to the city centre, are now on the National Parking Platform, so you can park and pay in Wells as you arrive, or, if you're planning a cathedral visit, pre-booking near Wells means it's sorted before you set off.

2. Glastonbury — Park Up or Book Ahead

Glastonbury is Somerset's town of myth and legend, home to the iconic Tor with its 158-metre climb and sweeping Levels views, the ancient Glastonbury Abbey, and the Chalice Well gardens close by.

Nearby you'll also find:

• Glastonbury Tor — the National Trust hilltop with views across three counties

• Glastonbury Abbey — the legendary burial place of King Arthur

• The Chalice Well — tranquil gardens around the town's holy well

St Johns Car Park, Butt Close Car Park and Northload Street Car Park are now on the National Parking Platform, so whether you're heading up the Tor or browsing the Abbey grounds, you can park and pay as you arrive, or pre-book a space near Glastonbury if you'd rather have it sorted before you set off.

3. Street — Park Up or Book Ahead

Street is home to Clarks Village, the UK's first ever outlet shopping centre, now home to more than 90 designer and high street brands across its five shopping districts, just a mile from Glastonbury.

Nearby you'll also find:

• Clarks Village — outlet shopping with up to 60% off RRP

• Glastonbury Tor and Abbey — a short drive away

• The Strode Theatre — Street's independent cinema and arts venue

Grange 1 and Grange 2 Car Parks, Southleaze Car Park and the Mendips Clarks Village Car Park are now on the National Parking Platform, so for a day of outlet shopping you can park and pay as you arrive, or pre-book a space near Street if you'd rather not circle the retail park on a busy Saturday.

4. Minehead — Park Up or Book Ahead

Minehead sits at the western terminus of the West Somerset Railway, Britain's longest independent heritage line, with a sandy seafront, promenade gardens and Exmoor National Park on the doorstep.

Nearby you'll also find:

• West Somerset Railway — steam trains running the 20 miles to Bishop's Lydeard

• Minehead seafront and promenade

• Exmoor National Park — moorland and coastline just outside town

Warren Road Upper Car Park, Station Car Park and Quay West Car Park, all close to the seafront, are now on the National Parking Platform, so however you're spending the day, you can park and pay as you arrive, or pre-book a space near Minehead if you'd rather have it sorted before you set off.

5. Taunton — Park Up or Book Ahead

Somerset's county town centres on 12th-century Taunton Castle, now home to the Museum of Somerset and its Frome Hoard of Roman coins, with the Brewhouse Theatre and Vivary Park close by.

Nearby you'll also find:

• Taunton Castle and the Museum of Somerset

• The Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre

• Vivary Park — Taunton's green space in the town centre

Orchard Multi-Storey Car Park, High Street Multi-Storey Car Park and The Crescent Car Park are now on the National Parking Platform, so whether you're at the museum or the theatre, you can park and pay as you arrive, or pre-book a space near Taunton if you'd rather have it sorted before you set off.

6. Cheddar — Book Ahead for a Day Trip

Cheddar Gorge is England's largest gorge, cut by melting glaciers during the last Ice Age and riddled with show caves, including Gough's Cave where the 9,000-year-old skeleton of Cheddar Man was discovered.

Nearby you'll also find:

• Cheddar Gorge and Caves — three miles of limestone gorge and show caves

• The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company

• The Mendip Hills — an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Cliff Street Car Park and Church Street Car Park in the village are now on the National Parking Platform, but with around 500,000 visitors a year, pre-booking a space near Cheddar is worth doing ahead of a gorge day out, especially over summer weekends.

On-Demand Parking in Somerset

Not every visit is planned in advance. Whether you're heading into Wells for a coffee or a spontaneous wander round Glastonbury, flexibility matters.

Park and Pay with JustPark allows you to:

• Find available spaces nearby, including council car parks now on the National Parking Platform

• Pay digitally through the app, with a digital receipt for every session

• Avoid cash, machines, or paper tickets

• Get a reminder as your session nears its expiry, and extend it remotely if plans change

This is especially useful in busy spots like Glastonbury town centre and Clarks Village on a weekend.

Finding Parking on the Move

When plans change mid-journey, JustPark helps you stay flexible. With voice control via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, drivers can search for nearby available parking while keeping their focus on the road.

Navigating into busy spots like Wells city centre or Cheddar Gorge on a summer weekend becomes simpler, even during peak times.

Where to Find NPP-Enabled Car Parks in Somerset

Open the JustPark app and search Somerset: NPP-enabled locations including Union Street Car Park (Wells), St Johns Car Park (Glastonbury), Grange 1 and Grange 2 Car Parks (Street), Warren Road Upper Car Park (Minehead), Orchard Multi-Storey Car Park (Taunton) and Cliff Street Car Park (Cheddar) will show up alongside other available spaces in the area.

When you arrive, look for the JustPark sign or location code at the car park, enter it in the app, and you're parked in seconds.

Pre-book Parking in Somerset

For busier days, festival weekends, or a family day out at Clarks Village or Cheddar Gorge, pre-booking Somerset parking through JustPark means you can search driveways and private spaces across the county, ahead of time.

It's also worth building into a habit rather than saving for one-off visits. If you're a regular visitor to Wells or Taunton, booking a Reservation each time keeps your spot sorted before you set off.

Best areas to book parking:

• Book near Wells: Ideal for the Cathedral, Bishop's Palace and an easy walk into the city centre

• Find parking near Glastonbury: Convenient for the Tor, the Abbey and the Chalice Well

• Reserve a space near Street: Perfect for a day at Clarks Village

• Reserve near Cheddar: A good option for the Gorge and Caves, especially at weekends

Pre-booking means you can head straight to your space and start enjoying your day.

FAQs About Somerset Parking and the County

Do I need to pre-book parking in Somerset, or can I just turn up?

Both work. Across Wells, Glastonbury, Street, Minehead, Taunton and Cheddar, you can simply park and pay when you arrive at an NPP-enabled location. If you'd rather have your space sorted before you set off, pre-booking a Reservation nearby in advance is a good alternative, especially for busier days at Clarks Village or Cheddar Gorge.

Can I extend my Park and Pay session if I need more time?

Yes, if your plans change, you can extend your session directly from the JustPark app before it expires. You'll also get a reminder as your session nears its end, so you're not caught out.

How do I know if a car park in Somerset is on the National Parking Platform?

Look for NPP signage at the car park, or open the JustPark app and search Somerset: enabled locations will show up alongside other available spaces in the area.

Where is Somerset?

Somerset is a county in South West England, bordering Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, with the Bristol Channel forming its northern coastline.

Is Somerset a county?

Yes. Somerset is a county, governed for most of its area by the unitary Somerset Council, which launched on 1 April 2023 after merging the former Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton, and South Somerset district councils with Somerset County Council. Its county town is Taunton.

Is Somerset in Devon?

No, they're neighbouring but separate counties. Somerset sits to the north and east of Devon, with the two sharing a border around the Blackdown Hills and Exmoor.

What is there to see in Somerset?

Highlights include Wells Cathedral, Glastonbury Tor and Abbey, Cheddar Gorge and Caves, Clarks Village outlet shopping in Street, and the West Somerset Railway running out of Minehead, alongside the wider Mendip and Quantock Hills.

Somerset Unlocked: One Less App to Juggle

Somerset's move to the National Parking Platform unlocks one less app to juggle across the county. Pay for council-run parking on arrival, get a reminder when your session's due to expire, extend it from your phone, and pre-book a space near Glastonbury or Clarks Village when you want it sorted in advance, all in the same JustPark app.

With over 150,000 spaces across the UK bookable in advance, clear pricing, instant confirmation, real reviews, and no hidden fees, JustPark makes it easy to park with confidence in Somerset.

Park and Pay or Reserve Somerset Parking now.