Hexham Parking & EV Charging Guide | Car Parks, Costs & Tips
Getting into and out of Hexham is easier than most market towns thanks to a good spread of car parks, generous all-day options, and a growing network of EV charge points across the town centre. Parking in Hexham is generally free, but most central locations require a parking disc to be displayed — so it pays to know the system before you arrive. Here's a full breakdown of where to park, where to charge, and what it costs.
General Parking Information
- Council car parks require a parking disc to be displayed between 8am and 6 pm, Monday to Sunday, including bank holidays
- On-street parking: 9am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday (check local signage for variations)
- All-day car parks: vehicles can stay for up to 24 hours, but must be removed for a period of 4 hours or more before returning
- Pay close attention to bay colour — time limits are strictly enforced across the town's car parks
- Northumberland County Council manages parking; Hexham Town Council can point you in the right direction but doesn't manage charges or enforcement directly
The Parking Disc System Explained
Most of Hexham's car parks and on-street disc zones are free to use but require a parking disc displayed on your dashboard, set to your arrival time. Reusable discs cost around £1 and are widely available from:
- Local shops and dispensers around town
- Waitrose
- Wentworth Leisure Centre
- The Hexham Tourist Information Centre
- Cafés near the Abbey and Market Place, including the Abbey Café and Paxton Fish Shop
Long-stay, all-day bays generally don't require a disc, but availability can be limited — always check on-site signage before you park.
Main Council Car Parks
Wentworth Car Park (NE46 3PD)
Hexham's primary and largest car park, located near Waitrose and the leisure centre. It's split into three colour-coded zones:
- Red bays — short stay, up to 2 hours (disc required)
- Blue bays — medium stay, up to 4 hours (disc required)
- White bays — long stay, up to 24 hours (free, no disc required, though availability is limited)
Wentworth is also home to Hexham's main cluster of EV charging points.
Alemouth Road Car Park / Bunker Site (NE46 3PJ)
A purpose-built long-stay car park near the Travelodge, offering 250 spaces with a maximum stay of up to 72 hours. No parking disc is required here, making it a good option for longer visits or overflow parking on busy days.
Gilesgate Car Park (NE46 3QF)
A smaller, central car park mainly used for short stays of up to 3 hours (disc required), with a limited row of white 24-hour bays at the back for longer stays.
Tyne Green Car Park (off the A69)
Located on the south bank of the River Tyne, Tyne Green is completely free all day with no time limits or disc requirements. It's a slightly longer walk to the town shops but a handy overflow option, especially combined with a riverside walk.
Other Council Car Parks
| Car Park | Max Stay | Disc Required | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaumont Street | 2 hours | Yes | Free |
| Loosing Hill | 3 hours | Yes | Free |
| Market Place | 1 hour | Yes | Free |
| Market Street | 2 hours | Yes | Free |
| Priestpopple | 2 hours | Yes | Free |
| St Mary's Wynd | 2 hours | Yes | Free |
| Tyne Mills | All day | No | Free |
| Hexham Fire Station | All day | No | Free |
On-Street Parking
On-street parking is available across many streets in the town centre but follows the same disc-zone rules, typically 9am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday. Some streets carry additional restrictions, such as short-stay bays or resident permit zones, so always check local signage before leaving your vehicle.
Motorhome and Coach Parking
- Motorhomes: Tyne Green (all day, no disc, free) and Wentworth blue bays (4 hour max, disc required, free)
- Coaches: Wentworth coach park, all day. £4 for up to 4 hours or £6 for a full day. Visiting coaches from outside Tynedale may park free of charge.
EV Charging Points and Pricing
Hexham has multiple public vehicle charging stations spread across the main car parks and retail parks, giving drivers a good choice of speeds and locations around town.
| Location | Network / App | Charging Speeds | Estimated Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wentworth Car Park / Leisure Centre | Fuuse & BP Pulse | Fast (7–22 kW AC) & Rapid (50 kW) | Approx. 60p–70p per kWh |
| Tynedale Retail Park (Tesco Extra) | Pod Point | Fast (7 kW / 22 kW) & Rapid (50 kW) | Approx. 49p per kWh |
| Station Road (NE46 1EJ) | Be. EV | Ultra-Rapid (150 kW) & Fast (22 kW / 50 kW) | Varies by speed tier |
| Lidl (Haugh Lane, NE46 3PD) | Pod Point | Fast (22 kW) & Rapid (50 kW) | Competitive supermarket rates |
| Hexham General Hospital (Corbridge Rd) | Mer | Rapid charging | Standard network rates |
| Alemouth Road Car Park | Northumberland County Council | Fast (22 kW AC) | 68p per kWh (11–22 kW) |
Council-operated chargers (Wentworth and Alemouth Road) currently charge 68p per kWh for 11kW and 22kW connections, and 78p per kWh for 50kW rapid chargers, with no membership or joining fee — you only pay for what you use. Supermarket and retail park chargers are typically run by third-party networks such as Pod Point or Be.EV, so pricing and payment methods vary by provider and app.
How to Pay and Start Charging
- Rapid council chargers: use the contactless payment terminal and follow the on-screen instructions, or pay via the AMP EV app (Apple App Store and Google Play).
- Slower council chargers: scan the QR code on the unit or enter the displayed code on the EV Charge Online website.
- Third-party chargers (Pod Point, Be. EV, BP Pulse, Mer): download the relevant network's app or tap to pay by contactless card, following on-screen instructions at the unit.
If you hit a payment issue at a council rapid charger, contact AMP EV at enquiries@ampev.co.uk or 0800 368 9125. For council slow chargers, contact support via the EV Charge Online website.
Please note: normal parking time limits still apply while your vehicle is charging, particularly in supermarket or short-stay council bays — make sure a parking disc is displayed if the bay requires one.
Private and Supermarket Parking Alternatives
- Tesco Extra (Alemouth Road): free parking for customers, restricted to a maximum stay of 3 hours.
- Maidens Walk (Marks & Spencer): centrally located but privately managed — check on-site boards for camera-enforced time limits and rules.
- Hexham General Hospital (Corbridge Road): operates a paid, pay-on-exit camera system, with the first 40 minutes free for drop-offs.
Getting to Hexham Without a Car
Hexham railway station sits on the Tyne Valley Line between Newcastle and Carlisle, with direct services to Newcastle Central taking around 34–40 minutes. The station is a flat five-minute walk from the Market Place, making it a practical alternative to driving in — especially on market days.
Tips for Market Days and Busy Periods
- The Tuesday market runs 9 am–4pm in the Market Place every week — arrive before 9 am to secure a central space.
- Saturday is the other busy day, with a general outdoor market and a monthly Farmers' Market.
- Race days at Hexham Racecourse and busy summer weekends add extra pressure on parking — head for Tyne Green or Alemouth Road long stay if the centre is full.
- Visiting Hexham Abbey? The Beaumont Street car park is a short walk away and often has spaces when central options are full.
Good to Know
- Always check on-site signage for the most current charges, time limits and bay restrictions, as these can change.
- Blue Badge holders should follow the specific guidance for disabled parking bays across Hexham's car parks.
- Be aware of fraudulent QR codes reported on some PayByPhone signage in the region — always check you're using an official payment channel.
- Third-party EV and supermarket parking rates can change independently of the council, so it's worth checking the relevant app before you rely on a specific price.
Whether you're driving in for the market, an EV top-up, or a full day exploring Hexham's shops, cafés and abbey grounds, there's a convenient parking option close to wherever you're headed. Spotted a price, bay or charge point that's changed? Let us know, and we'll update it.