Where to Park in Sunderland

Parking in Sunderland is a mix of large council multi-storeys, smaller pay and display surface car parks on the edge of the centre, private car parks at the shopping centre, and seafront car parks at Roker and Seaburn. The council revised many of its tariffs from 1 June 2026, so this guide quotes only prices confirmed in the council's own 2026 notices. Always check the signs on the day.

St Mary's and Sunniside multi-storeys

The two big council multi-storeys are the obvious choice for a long stay in the city centre. St Mary's multi-storey, on St Mary's Boulevard, has close to 500 spaces and sits a short walk from Keel Square, Culture House and the High Street West end of the centre. Sunniside multi-storey has more than 650 spaces and is the natural place to park for Sunniside's bars and restaurants, Holmeside and the Empire. Both are barrier-controlled and pay on foot, and both have had improvement works approved, so occasional level closures are possible. Check the council's current tariff before you go.

Best for: longer city-centre stays, theatre trips and evenings in Sunniside.

Farringdon Row multi-storey at Riverside Sunderland

The newest council multi-storey is on Farringdon Row, on the Riverside Sunderland site below City Hall. It opened in 2023 with 657 spaces over 11 split levels, including accessible and electric vehicle bays, and it was designed largely to serve the evening economy alongside permit holders. It suits events at Keel Square, Culture House or the riverside.

Best for: evenings out and events around Keel Square and the river.

Station Car Park on Holmeside

The council's Station Car Park is a newer surface car park on cleared land at Holmeside, close to Sunderland station, Park Lane and the main shopping streets. It has around 200 spaces, a block of electric vehicle charging bays, accessible spaces and a small mobility hub with secure cycle storage. From 1 June 2026 the charge is £1.70 an hour from 8am to 3pm on weekdays and on Saturdays, with a £7.50 daily rate and £3.50 on Sundays and bank holidays. Weekday parking after 3pm is free here.

Best for: shopping trips, catching a train, and charging an electric car.

Smaller council surface car parks

Around the edge of the centre there are several smaller pay and display car parks that tend to be cheaper than the multi-storeys. From 1 June 2026 the council set these charges: Charles Street, Tatham Street and West Wear Street at £1.30 an hour or £5.50 all day; Gorse Road at £1.10 an hour or £5.50 all day; Nile Street at £1.50 an hour or £5.50 all day; and Boughton Street at £1.60 an hour. All of them are £3.50 for the day on Sundays and bank holidays. The council has also run a "free after 3pm" weekday offer at some of these car parks, so check the signs or the council website to see which currently qualify.

A new council car park on Back Hylton Road, off Hylton Road, opened under an order that came into force on 2 July 2026. It is open at all hours except Christmas Day, at 80p an hour or £3.50 all day. The same order removed the High Street West surface car park from the council's list of car parks, so do not rely on older directions that send you there.

Best for: cheaper short stays a few minutes' walk from the centre.

The Bridges shopping centre

The Bridges has its own multi-storey and a rooftop car park, run by the shopping centre rather than the council. Opening hours and charges are set by the centre, so check its website before you travel.

Best for: a shopping trip to The Bridges and the surrounding streets.

Park and ride at St Peter's Metro

If you are heading into the centre from the north, or on to Newcastle, the council's car park at St Peter's Metro station is a useful park and ride. From 1 June 2026 it costs 80p an hour or £3.50 all day, and the Metro runs into Sunderland station and on towards Newcastle. See our guide to getting around Sunderland without a car for the Metro and bus network.

Best for: avoiding city-centre traffic and travelling on by Metro.

Roker and Seaburn seafront

On the coast, the council runs pay and display car parks along the seafront. Harbour View car park on Marine Walk at Roker has 128 spaces, including disabled bays and electric vehicle charging, and it is locked overnight, so check the closing time on the sign. Marine Walk car park, below the cliffs near Roker Pier, is smaller, and Dykelands Road car park serves the Seaburn end. They fill early on sunny weekends, so check the current tariff on the machines.

Best for: beach days, pier walks and seafront cafes.

Stadium of Light on match days

Parking near the Stadium of Light on match days is tight, with restrictions on surrounding streets. Many supporters park in the city centre and walk across the Wearmouth Bridge or the Keel Crossing footbridge, or take the Metro. Our match day guide has more.

Best for: getting to and from the ground without sitting in queues.

Residents' permit areas and on-street parking

Several neighbourhoods, including the streets around the university's city campus and Millfield, and around Seaburn Metro, have permit schemes that reserve bays for residents. Some on-street bays, in parts of Ashbrooke and on Tunstall Terrace, are pay by phone only. Read the signs before you leave the car.

Best for: short visits, with an eye on the signs.

Frequently asked questions

Is parking free after 3pm in Sunderland? At the council's Station Car Park on Holmeside, weekday parking after 3pm is free. The council has also run a weekday free-after-3pm offer at some smaller surface car parks, so check the signs or the council website first.

What is the cheapest place to park in Sunderland city centre? The Back Hylton Road car park, opened in July 2026, charges 80p an hour or £3.50 all day, and the council car park at St Peter's Metro station is also 80p an hour or £3.50 all day if you are happy to finish your journey by Metro.

Where can I park for Roker beach? Harbour View car park and Marine Walk car park on Marine Walk are the closest council car parks to Roker beach and the pier, with Dykelands Road car park towards Seaburn. All are pay and display.

Spotted a parking detail we should update? Get in touch.