Southampton International Boat Show 2026: Where to Park at Mayflower Park
Ten days, 700+ marine brands and Europe's biggest purpose-built show marina land on Southampton's waterfront this September — and parking near Mayflower Park sells out fast once the show opens its gates.
Southampton International Boat Show Parking Guide — 18–27 September 2026
With over 100,000 visitors expected across the show's ten-day run, spaces close to Mayflower Park won't last — book a spot near Mayflower Park before you set off and skip the queue of cars circling West Quay looking for somewhere to leave the car.
The Southampton International Boat Show returns to Mayflower Park (SO14 2AS) from Friday 18 to Saturday 26 September, running 10am–6pm daily with The Shipyard entertainment area staying open until 9pm on the Friday and Saturday evenings, before the show closes out on Sunday 27 September from 10am–4.30pm. Now one of the largest boating and watersports festivals in Europe, the 2026 edition brings together:
700+ marine brands showcasing everything from paddleboards to superyachts, plus engines, tech and chandlery
500+ watercraft on display across the show's purpose-built marina
The Wooden Boat Stage and Afloat display, featuring classic wooden boats up close
On-water activities, including Try a Boat, paddleboarding and diving sessions
The J/70 Invitational Cup, with 12 teams racing on the water later in the show
Live music at The Shipyard, with late-night sets on Friday and Saturday
Book Southampton International Boat Show Parking
Reserve your space in advance and you'll have somewhere confirmed to leave the car before the crowds descend on Mayflower Park:
Lock in your price before demand pushes it up — book a driveway or off-street space near the showground days in advance rather than risk arriving to a full car park
Choose a walk-in distance that suits you — filter by how close you need to be to Mayflower Roundabout, whether that's a few minutes on foot or a short bus hop into town
Extend your stay from your phone — if you decide to stay for the late Shipyard sets, extend your booking through the app instead of rushing back to the car
Park on a quiet residential street away from the queues building up around Herbert Walker Avenue and the West Quay roundabout
Getting to Mayflower Park
The showground sits on Southampton's waterfront, a short walk from the city centre and well served by rail, bus and ferry:
By train — Southampton Central station is roughly a 5–10 minute walk from the show entrance; use the platform 4 exit to head straight towards Mayflower Park
By bus — CityLink and local services run into Town Quay and West Quay, both a few minutes' walk from the entrance at Mayflower Roundabout
By ferry — Red Funnel's Red Jet passenger service from the Isle of Wight docks at Town Quay, around a 5-minute walk from the show
By road — the show sits just off the A33; on show days, follow the AA road signs on the M3, M27 and M271 rather than your sat nav, as these are set up specifically to route show traffic around peak congestion
Parking Near Mayflower Park
A few things to know before you drive in:
Gloucester Square car park closes for the duration of the show — the council closes this city-centre car park for around 30 days over the boat show period, so don't rely on it as a fallback
Expect congestion around West Quay and Herbert Walker Avenue at opening and closing times each day, particularly on the two late Shipyard nights
Booking a private driveway or off-street space ahead of time avoids both the closures and the scramble for the last few spaces near the showground
Book a space with JustPark for convenience: rates start from around £4.40 a day, with options ranging from short residential driveways a few minutes' walk from Town Quay to spaces further out if you don't mind a slightly longer walk in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free parking near the Southampton International Boat Show?
Free on-street parking near Mayflower Park is limited and heavily contested during the show, so it's best to book a space in advance rather than rely on finding one.
How far is Southampton Central station from the show?
It's roughly a 5–10 minute walk from the station to the Mayflower Park entrance, making the train a straightforward option if you'd rather not drive all the way in.
Are there accessible parking options near the show?
Yes — when booking through JustPark you can filter for accessible spaces, and the show itself offers accessible entrances, step-free routes and accessible toilets across most of the site.
Can I park near the show on the ferry side, close to Town Quay?
Yes — several JustPark spaces sit within a short walk of Town Quay and the Red Funnel terminal, handy if you're arriving from the Isle of Wight or want to combine the show with a walk along the waterfront.
Live Near Mayflower Park? Rent Out Your Driveway During the Boat Show
If you're in the SO14–SO19 postcode area, you'll already know how busy the waterfront gets once the show rolls into town — and that demand is exactly what makes a spare driveway or parking space worth listing for the ten days the show runs. With well over 100,000 visitors passing through Mayflower Park across the event, drivers are actively searching for somewhere close by to leave their car, and a listed space near the showground can bring in useful extra income for very little effort.
List your driveway with JustPark and set your own availability for the show dates — you decide which days to open up your space, and you can pause your listing the moment the event wraps up.
Ready for the Show?
Whether you're spending a day browsing the marina or catching the late Shipyard sets, book your parking near Mayflower Park now and arrive ready to enjoy the show without circling for a space.
