Plan Royal Sussex County Hospital Parking Before You Arrive
Royal Sussex County Hospital has two main on-site visitor car parks. However, the better option depends on your hospital entrance, vehicle height, arrival time, and expected length of stay.
First, check your appointment letter. Then, compare the North Car Park with the Louisa Martindale Building underground car park. In addition, allow extra time because hospital parking can become busy.
ON-SITE PARKING
Quick Answer: Where Should You Park?
For most patients and visitors, the first choices are the North Car Park and the Louisa Martindale Building underground car park. Both use Automatic Number Plate Recognition, so you do not need to take a paper ticket when you enter.
However, the two car parks have different access arrangements. North Car Park is open 24 hours a day and has a 2.0m height restriction. Meanwhile, the Louisa Martindale Building car park is open from 6am until 11:30pm and has a 2.2m height restriction.
Prices are currently the same across the hospital parking system. Therefore, choose the car park that works best for your entrance and vehicle rather than choosing by price alone.
North Car Park
Open all day and night. In addition, disabled bays on Levels 6 and 6a provide direct hospital access.
LMB Underground
Useful for taller vehicles that fit within 2.2m. However, normal opening hours end at 11:30pm.
Quick Exit Grace
If you cannot find a space or only need a very short drop-off or pickup, there is a 20-minute fee-free exit period.
Royal Sussex County Hospital Parking Prices 2026
The hospital uses time-based parking charges. Therefore, estimate how long your appointment may take before you travel. Still, hospital visits can overrun, so it is sensible to understand the next price band as well.
If you remain parked for more than 24 hours, the hospital currently charges £18.20 for the first 24-hour period plus the appropriate tariff for the additional time.
In addition, the Trust states that charges apply at all times, except where a valid exemption or concession applies. The 20-minute grace period is already included in the parking system.
How the Hospital ANPR Parking System Works
Royal Sussex County Hospital now uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition. As a result, cameras record your registration when you enter and leave. You do not need to collect a paper entry ticket.
1. Drive into the car park
First, enter normally. The ANPR camera records your vehicle registration.
2. Park and attend your appointment
Next, note where you parked. This is especially useful in the multi-storey car park because several levels can look similar.
3. Pay before returning to the vehicle
Then, use the relevant pay station. North Car Park machines are located on Levels 5 and 6, while LMB payment machines are in the entrance lobby from the car park.
4. Leave after payment
Finally, return to your vehicle and exit. If you need help, the pay stations include an intercom.
Current pay stations accept cash, notes, debit cards and credit cards. In addition, the machines give change.
North Car Park: 24-Hour On-Site Parking
North Car Park is the hospital’s on-site multi-storey car park for patients and visitors. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Therefore, it is the more flexible option when your visit may finish late.
The car park is accessed from Bristol Gate. After passing the A&E entrance, turn left. The car park sits opposite the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.
24 Hours
North Car Park stays open 24/7. As a result, it is useful for late or unpredictable hospital visits.
2.0m Limit
Check your vehicle height before entering. In particular, roof boxes and taller vans may exceed the restriction.
20 Disabled Bays
Accessible bays are provided within the car park. Moreover, bays on Levels 6 and 6a provide direct access into the hospital.
Where Do You Pay?
Pay stations are located on Levels 5 and 6. Therefore, pay before you return to your vehicle. Also, remember your registration number because the ANPR system identifies the vehicle by its number plate.
Louisa Martindale Building Underground Car Park
The Louisa Martindale Building underground car park is another main visitor option. It is accessed from Bristol Gate by taking the first left. Therefore, make the correct turn before continuing farther up the hospital access road.
The car park is normally open from 6am until 11:30pm, seven days a week. In comparison with North Car Park, it has a slightly higher 2.2m height restriction.
6am–11:30pm
Normal vehicle access follows these published hours. Consequently, check your likely departure time if you expect a very late visit.
2.2m Limit
This car park allows slightly taller vehicles than North Car Park. However, always check your vehicle height first.
No Entry Ticket
Your registration is recorded automatically. Then, pay at the lobby machines before returning to the vehicle.
North Car Park vs LMB Underground Parking
Both options use the same published patient and visitor tariff. Therefore, location, opening hours and vehicle height are the main differences to consider.
| Option | Access | Useful For | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Car Park | 24 hours, 7 days | Late or uncertain departure time | 2.0m height limit |
| LMB Underground | 6am–11:30pm | Louisa Martindale Building access | 2.2m height limit |
| Blue Badge | Follow on-site instructions | Eligible badge holders | Hospital parking is fee-free |
| 20-minute grace | Both main car parks | Unable to park / very quick pickup | Exit within the grace period |
Free Parking Options at Royal Sussex County Hospital
General visitor parking is not free. However, several specific situations may reduce the cost to £0. Therefore, check whether you qualify before paying the standard visitor tariff.
Fee-Free Exit Grace
If you cannot find a space or only need a very short pickup or drop-off, you can leave within the published 20-minute grace period without paying.
Free Hospital Parking
Disabled Badge holders can currently park fee-free. However, follow the instructions at the car park exit so the exemption is applied correctly.
Parking Concessions
Selected patients and carers may qualify for concessions. For example, regular dialysis patients are among the groups identified for free parking.
Blue Badge and Accessible Parking
Disabled Badge holders can currently park free in the hospital car parks. However, the exemption still needs to be handled correctly. Therefore, follow the instructions displayed at the exit or payment area.
North Car Park currently has 20 disabled bays. In addition, bays on Levels 6 and 6a provide direct access into the hospital, which can reduce walking distance for some visitors.
If accessible parking is essential, allow extra time. Availability can change during the day, so a listed accessible bay is not a guarantee that one will be vacant when you arrive.
Parking Concessions for Patients, Relatives and Carers
The Trust provides parking concessions for certain patient groups. For example, concessions are available for cancer centre patients, people staying in hospital for a long period, and some relatives or carers.
In addition, specific patient groups can receive free parking. The NHS page identifies regular dialysis patients as one example.
If you think you qualify, ask the relevant clinical team or hospital department before paying. That approach is more reliable than assuming a concession will be added automatically.
Cancer Centre Parking
Parking for Cancer Centre patients is available opposite the Macmillan Horizon Centre on Bristol Gate. However, patients need a permit from the Cancer Centre. The permit can be obtained during the first appointment.
A&E Drop-Off: Important Parking Rule
There is only one drop-off and pickup bay directly outside A&E. More importantly, the hospital states that there is no parking at A&E at any time.
Therefore, use the bay only for an active pickup or drop-off. After helping the passenger leave or enter the vehicle, move the car to an appropriate parking area.
Picking Up or Dropping Off a Patient
A quick hospital pickup can be difficult to time because appointments and discharge processes often run late. Therefore, ask the patient to contact you when they are almost ready.
Both main car parks provide a 20-minute fee-free exit grace period if you cannot find a space or only need a quick pickup or drop-off. However, do not assume this gives you 20 minutes of unrestricted waiting anywhere on the hospital roads.
1. Confirm the correct entrance
First, ask which hospital building or entrance the patient will use.
2. Wait for a message
Next, ask the patient to contact you when they are ready to leave. As a result, you can reduce unnecessary waiting.
3. Use the correct parking or pickup area
Then, follow hospital signs. Do not block A&E access or wait in a restricted area.
4. Leave promptly
Finally, complete the pickup and exit. If you need longer, park normally and pay the applicable tariff.
Street Parking Near the Hospital
Streets around Royal Sussex County Hospital sit within Brighton’s controlled parking system, including Zone H in the Kemptown and hospital area. Therefore, do not assume a nearby street is unrestricted simply because it has an empty space.
Bay types, maximum stays and operating hours can vary. In addition, temporary suspensions may apply. For this reason, the sign beside the exact parking bay should guide your decision.
Brighton & Hove City Council provides an online street-parking map. Use it to understand the area before travel. However, always check the physical sign when you arrive.
Vehicle Height: Check Before You Enter
Vehicle height matters at this hospital because the two main car parks have different limits. North Car Park has a 2.0m restriction, while the LMB underground car park has a 2.2m restriction.
Therefore, check your total height if you drive a van, tall SUV, adapted vehicle, or a car carrying a roof box. Do not rely only on the vehicle’s standard factory height if something has been fitted to the roof.
2.0m
North Car Park has the lower clearance. Therefore, check taller vehicles carefully.
2.2m
The LMB underground car park provides an extra 20cm of published clearance.
Measure First
Add roof equipment to the vehicle height. Otherwise, you may reach the barrier and be unable to enter.
Practical Tips for a Hospital Appointment
Check Your Building
First, read your appointment letter. The correct hospital building can affect which parking route is easier.
Allow Extra Time
Parking can become busy. Therefore, do not schedule your arrival for the exact appointment time.
Remember Your Plate
ANPR uses your vehicle registration. As a result, having the registration available makes payment easier.
Save Your Level
Take a quick photo of the level or nearby marker. This can make finding the vehicle easier after a long appointment.
Ask About Concessions
If your treatment is frequent or long-term, ask the clinical team whether a parking concession applies.
Pay Before Returning
Finally, use the pay station before walking back to the vehicle.
Royal Sussex Parking Checklist
Before You Leave Home
Before You Drive Away
Royal Sussex County Hospital Parking Map
Use the map to understand the hospital campus before you travel. Then, follow current signs for Bristol Gate and your chosen car park.
However, a map does not confirm whether a parking space is available. Therefore, allow time to switch to your backup option if necessary.
Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE Open Google Maps
Official Parking Information
This guide helps you plan the journey. However, hospital parking rules, prices and access arrangements can change. Therefore, use the official NHS page for the final check before travelling.
Parking Elsewhere in Brighton?
If you are visiting Brighton before or after a hospital appointment, use our city-centre guide instead of applying hospital parking rules to other parts of the city.