Parking and Road Closures

Beggars Fair day is the busiest Saturday of the year in Romsey, attracting about 7000 visitors to the town. Where possible, we encourage people to use public transport due to the high volume of traffic. If driving, Romsey has many car parks, but please aim to arrive early. Please note that local parking restriction schemes exist for on-street parking in Romsey, and are enforced by wardens.

This is a map of the available car parking in Romsey, including permanent car parks and event parking. The purple lines indicate road closures during the Beggars Fair, and the green lines indicate the pedestrian route to the town centre from the parking in Greatbridge Industrial estate.

Charges and Length of Stay

Visit Test Valley Borough Council’s parking page for details of current charges and length of stay at the council car parks, as well as available payment methods. Details of Romsey Rapids’ car parking is available on their website.

Please be aware that Aldi and Waitrose car parks are for customers only, and the maximum length of stay is strictly enforced.

Disabled Parking

Disabled parking is suspended in Church Place and The Hundred. Blue badge holders may park for free in any Test Valley Borough Council all-day car parks. Holders may also park for 3 hours in Test Valley Borough Council short stay car parks, but must display a clock card showing arrival time.

Road Closures

On the day, there are road closures in operation in the centre of town from 9:30am to 6pm:

  • Church Place (from 7:30am)
  • Cornmarket (from 7:30am)
  • The Hundred from Market Place -> Palmerston Street
  • Latimer Street from Lortemore Car Park -> The Phoenix
  • Church Street from Portersbridge Street -> Market Place
  • Bell Street from the Newton Lane -> Market Place
  • The Abbey from Abbey Water -> Market Place
  • Love Lane from Latimer Street -> for 50m

Additionally, the following roads are access-only during this period:

  • The Abbey
  • The Meads
  • Church Lane

Extra Parking

As well as the permanent car parks in Romsey, the Beggars Fair has arranged additional car parking at:

Romsey School, SO51 8ZB

  • Open: 9am–10pm (gates will close at 10pm)
  • 100 spaces
  • Free to park

Romsey Industrial Estate, Greatbridge Road, SO51 0HR

  • Open: All day
  • 200+ spaces
  • Free and unmanned for public use, choirs and other performers. There will be signs indicating the best places to park, and the footpath to the railway station (leading to the town centre) is signed. Please do not park right in front of any business, open or closed.

The Cromwell Arms, SO51 8HG

  • Open: All day
  • 50 spaces
  • Free parking in the field adjacent to The Cromwell Arms and manned by their staff.
  • Please note: if it is raining then this option will not be used, as we don’t have a tractor handy!

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