I’ve stayed at Central Car Park more times than I can count, in all seasons and in all sorts of moods. Sometimes it’s been a handy stopover. Other times it’s been a bit of a squeeze. It’s one of those places that’s useful, familiar, and slightly flawed all at once.
The first thing you notice is the location. It sits right by the seafront, close to the beach and promenade, with the dunes just a short walk away. You can hear the sea if it’s calm, especially late at night when everything else quietens down. Despite being an urban car park, it’s set back from the main road enough that traffic noise isn’t a big issue. You still get the odd car door slam or engine starting early in the morning, but it’s nothing relentless.
We’ve arrived here at all times. Early afternoon when it’s free during the day and you’re just killing a few hours. Late evening when you’re tired, hungry, and hoping there’s a space left. In summer, that hope doesn’t always pay off. This place is popular. Sometimes too popular for its own good. Vans can end up packed in tightly, lined up like tins on a supermarket shelf. Even out of season it’s often busy, which tells you everything about how well known it is among motorhomers.
There are designated overnight bays for motorhomes, which helps keep things organised in theory. In practice, it depends on who else is around. We’ve had quiet nights where everyone keeps to themselves and you barely notice your neighbours. We’ve also had nights where people treat it like a campsite, chairs out, tables set up, doors flung open. That’s been more of a summer issue, but it has happened often enough to be noticeable. It does change the feel of the place, and not always in a good way.
Overnight parking is paid via the RingGo app and usually costs around £7.50. There’s a maximum stay of three nights, which feels fair enough. During the day it’s free, which makes it handy if you’re just popping into Fleetwood or stretching your legs along the promenade. Payment has always worked fine for us, though mobile signal can be a bit patchy depending on the weather and time of day, so it’s worth sorting it early rather than at bedtime.
One of the reasons we keep coming back is the facilities. There’s an elsan point for chemical toilet disposal, and toilets you can access with a code. They’re basic, and sometimes a bit tired looking, but they’re there and they’re usable. On a cold, wet night in January, that matters more than fancy finishes.
Early mornings can bring dog walkers and joggers. None of it has ever felt unsafe, just part of staying somewhere so accessible.
It’s also a good base. Fleetwood itself is an easy walk, and Blackpool is straightforward to reach from here if you fancy something busier. We’ve used it as a stop before heading further up or down the coast more times than I remember.
If you catch it on a quieter night, Central Car Park can be a decent place to stop. If it’s full and busy, it can feel cramped and slightly frustrating. Either way, it’s a spot we know well, warts and all, and one we’ll probably continue to use when it suits our plans.
Information
Address: Central Car Park, The Esplanade, Fleetwood, FY7 6QE, United Kingdom (central motorhome parking area)
Latitude: 53.9261 (approximate)
Longitude: -3.0202 (approximate)
Directions: Head north along The Esplanade from Fleetwood town centre; the Central Car Park is on your right before the promenade meets the beach dunes area.
Note: Flat tarmac surface with designated motorhome bays and basic access to beach and promenade.