Choose Your Princesshay Parking Before You Reach Exeter
Princesshay Exeter parking includes several different car parks. Therefore, the first entrance you see may not be the best one for your visit.
For example, Princesshay 1 is privately managed, while Princesshay 2 and 3 are operated by Exeter City Council. As a result, prices, payment systems and Blue Badge rules can differ.
In addition, Summerland Gate can cost less for a longer stay. This guide compares the main options, free parking possibilities, access details, EV charging and the map.
PRINCESSHAY 1
Quick Answer: Where Should You Park at Princesshay?
For direct Princesshay shopping access, start by comparing Princesshay 1. It currently costs £3.90 for one hour and £4.90 for two hours.
However, a longer stay changes the comparison. Princesshay 1 currently costs £16.50 for up to 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Summerland Gate currently costs £13.90 for 24 hours. Therefore, it can save £2.60 on a full-day stay.
Princesshay 2 and 3 are also central options. In addition, eligible Blue Badge holders can park free in their public bays.
Princesshay 1
Choose this car park for straightforward access to Princesshay. However, remember the 1.98m height limit.
Princesshay 2 & 3
These council car parks use Exeter’s central tariff. In addition, Sunday rates are lower than Mon–Sat rates.
Summerland Gate
The current 24-hour rate is £13.90. Therefore, compare it for a longer city-centre visit.
Princesshay Exeter Parking Prices for 2026
Princesshay 1 introduced updated charges on 7 October 2026. Therefore, older online prices may now be out of date.
The current tariff starts at £3.90 for one hour. Meanwhile, a stay of up to 24 hours costs £16.50.
Princesshay 1 Car Park
Princesshay 1 has 264 parking spaces. In addition, it includes 18 wider bays and 6 disabled bays.
The car park opens from 7am until 11pm. Therefore, it can work for shopping, dining and many evening visits.
However, the height restriction is 1.98m. For this reason, check your full vehicle height before entering.
How Do You Pay?
Princesshay 1 currently accepts card payments only. Moreover, a camera-controlled parking management system was introduced in October 2026.
Therefore, enter your vehicle registration carefully when payment requires it. A small registration mistake can create unnecessary problems later.
Where Is Princesshay 1?
The official sat-nav postcode is EX1 1GA. However, the final approach matters because the access route changed.
Specifically, vehicles now enter via Paris Street and Dix’s Field. Consequently, drivers can no longer enter Princesshay 1 from Southernhay.
Princesshay 2 and Princesshay 3 Parking
Princesshay 2 and Princesshay 3 are managed by Exeter City Council. Therefore, their tariff differs from the privately managed Princesshay 1.
Both currently sit within Exeter’s central parking tariff. In addition, Sunday charges are lower than Monday-to-Saturday prices.
| Parking | Current Rate | Hours / Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princesshay 1 | £3.90 1h • £16.50 24h | 7am–11pm | Direct Princesshay visit |
| Princesshay 2 | £4.90 2h Mon–Sat | 8am–11pm | Council central parking |
| Princesshay 3 | £4.90 2h Mon–Sat | 8am–11:30pm | Later evening return |
| Summerland Gate | £2.80 1h • £13.90 24h | 7am–2am | Longer or later stay |
Princesshay 2 Prices
Monday to Saturday, two hours currently costs £4.90. Next, three hours costs £6.00 and four hours costs £7.20.
In addition, five hours costs £8.40 and six hours costs £9.50. Finally, the current all-day rate is £19.30.
Sunday Prices
Sunday parking is cheaper in the council-operated central car parks. For example, two hours currently costs £3.70.
Meanwhile, three hours costs £4.50 and four hours costs £5.40. Therefore, Sunday visitors should compare the council car parks carefully.
The current Sunday all-day tariff is £14.50. As a result, it is £4.80 cheaper than the Mon–Sat all-day tariff.
Summerland Gate: A Lower-Cost Alternative
Summerland Gate is operated by the Princesshay parking team. However, it sits on Belgrave Road rather than directly beneath the main shopping area.
The current one-hour rate is £2.80. Therefore, it is £1.10 cheaper than Princesshay 1 for a one-hour stay.
A 24-hour stay currently costs £13.90. As a result, longer-stay visitors may save money by comparing it first.
Summerland Gate opens from 7am until 2am every day. Therefore, it can also suit visitors returning later at night.
Nevertheless, it has the same 1.98m height limit as Princesshay 1. In addition, payment is card only.
Free Parking Options Near Princesshay
There is no general free shopping period advertised at Princesshay 1. Therefore, do not enter expecting a free first hour.
However, eligible Blue Badge holders have a useful option nearby. Exeter City Council allows qualifying Blue Badge holders to park free in the public bays at Princesshay 2 and Princesshay 3.
What About Free Evening Parking?
Do not assume Princesshay 2 or 3 becomes free at 6pm. In fact, the current central charging period runs until 10pm.
Therefore, always check the machine or RingGo tariff before leaving the car. This is especially important because older Exeter parking information may show earlier charging periods.
Free Park & Ride Parking
Exeter also has Park & Ride sites where parking itself is free for service users. However, the bus journey into the city is paid.
As a result, Park & Ride can still be useful when you want to avoid driving into central Exeter.
EV Charging at Princesshay
Princesshay 1 currently has six electric charging bays. Specifically, the chargers are on Level 5 near the up-ramp to Level 6.
The units are 7kWh Pod Point chargers. In addition, the current published electricity price is 50p per kWh.
However, normal parking charges still apply. Therefore, add the parking tariff and charging cost when comparing the total price.
Summerland Gate EV Charging
Summerland Gate also provides charging facilities. Currently, four charging outlets are listed on its lower ground floor.
Therefore, it can be a useful backup if Princesshay 1 charging bays are busy. However, charger availability can change throughout the day.
Accessible Parking at Princesshay
Princesshay 1 currently includes six disabled parking bays. In addition, 18 wider spaces are available.
However, Princesshay 1 is a paid car park. Therefore, do not assume a Blue Badge automatically removes its normal charge.
By comparison, the council-operated Princesshay 2 and 3 provide free public-bay parking for eligible Blue Badge holders. As a result, they may be worth comparing before your visit.
Princesshay Parking Height Restrictions
Princesshay 1 has a 1.98m height restriction. Therefore, measure taller SUVs, vans and vehicles with roof equipment carefully.
Princesshay 2 currently has a 1.95m limit. Meanwhile, Princesshay 3 has a slightly higher 2.0m restriction.
Summerland Gate also has a 1.98m limit. Consequently, Princesshay 3 may be the first option to compare for a vehicle close to two metres high.
Princesshay 1
Therefore, include roof boxes and racks in your total vehicle height.
Princesshay 2
This is the lowest published limit among the three Princesshay options.
Princesshay 3
By comparison, this car park currently has the highest listed limit.
How to Reach Princesshay 1 Car Park
The access route changed in November 2025. Therefore, an old sat-nav habit can send you toward the wrong approach.
Drivers should now approach Princesshay 1 via Paris Street and Dix’s Field. Specifically, entry from Southernhay is no longer available.
After parking, remember your level before entering the shopping area. In addition, keep the 11pm car park closing time in mind during an evening visit.
Which Princesshay Parking Option Fits Your Visit?
Price is important, but it is not the only factor. Therefore, match the car park to the type of visit.
Parking at Princesshay on Busy Shopping Days
Central Exeter can become busy on Saturdays and during Christmas shopping. As a result, the most convenient spaces may fill quickly.
First, choose your preferred car park. Next, save one alternative before leaving home.
In addition, remember the different operators. Princesshay 1 and Summerland Gate use one system, while Princesshay 2 and 3 follow Exeter City Council rules.
Finally, check your closing time before going shopping. Therefore, you will not need to rush back unexpectedly.
Princesshay Parking Checklist
Before You Drive
After You Park
Princesshay Exeter Parking Map
Princesshay sits in central Exeter close to Paris Street and the High Street. Therefore, use the map below to understand the overall location.
However, use EX1 1GA when navigating specifically to Princesshay 1. In addition, follow the latest road signs for the Paris Street and Dix’s Field approach.
Exeter, Devon • Sat-nav: EX1 1GA Open Google Maps
Official Princesshay Parking Information
Parking tariffs and access arrangements can change. Therefore, use the official pages for a final check before travelling.
Princesshay’s own page is most useful for Princesshay 1 and Summerland Gate. Meanwhile, Exeter City Council provides the current details for Princesshay 2 and 3.