Old Market Parking, Dorchester — Best Time to Park

Q: "How many parking spaces does Old Market Car Park have?"

"Old Market Car Park in Dorchester has approximately 60 parking spaces."

Q: "Is parking free at Old Market Car Park?"

"Old Market Car Park is a paid car park."

Q: "When is Old Market Car Park busiest?"

"Old Market Car Park tends to be busiest Saturday 10am-4pm."

Q: "When is Old Market Car Park quietest?"

"The quietest period for Old Market Car Park is typically Weekday mornings before 9am, Sundays, weekday evenings after 6pm."

Q: "What kind of car park is Old Market Car Park?"

"Old Market Car Park is a town centre car park with surface parking, operated by Dorset Council."

60 total spaces

Paid parking

Typical busyness by hour shown below.

Quietest: Weekday mornings before 9am, Sundays, weekday evenings after 6pm Busiest: Saturday 10am-4pm

Key facts

Postcode: DT1 9SA
Capacity: ~60 spaces
Type: Town centre
Parking: Surface
Charges: Paid
Operator: Dorset Council

Estimated Free Spaces by Hour

Estimated busyness percentage by day and hour for Old Market Car Park, Dorchester.
Day	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm
Mon	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Tue	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Wed	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Thu	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Fri	5	14	29	53	67	77	82	77	72	67	58	43	24	14	5
Sat	5	10	29	58	77	86	91	86	82	72	58	38	19	10	5
Sun	5	5	10	19	34	43	48	43	38	29	19	10	5	5	0

Modelled estimate based on car-park type, size and location — not live occupancy data.

About Old Market Car Park

Positioned within walking distance of Dorchester’s main streets, Old Market Car Park caters to shoppers and those visiting the town centre. It provides roughly 60 spaces, a mid-sized car park that balances availability with convenience. This is a surface car park, so expect open-air parking at ground level. This is a paid car park. Dorset Council operates this car park.

When to Visit

The busiest periods for this town centre car park are Saturday lunchtimes and weekday lunchtimes around noon. Early mornings and Sundays see the lightest traffic, making them ideal for a stress-free visit. The car park has enough capacity for most normal demand, though Saturdays can get tight.

Busyness in detail

Old Market Car Park is typically busiest on Saturday around midday, when our model estimates it is about 90% full. With about 60 spaces, that is roughly 54 vehicles at the peak, leaving around 6 free. Quietest times: Weekday mornings before 9am, Sundays, weekday evenings after 6pm. These figures are modelled estimates based on the car park’s type, size and location — not live occupancy data.

Parking in Dorchester

There are 8 car parks across Dorchester, so you have options if your first choice is full. Should you find Old Market Car Park full, Acland Road Car Park (just a short walk away) is the closest option. In total, there are 4 other car parks within 800 metres.

Frequently asked questions

How many parking spaces does Old Market Car Park have?

Old Market Car Park in Dorchester has approximately 60 parking spaces.

Is parking free at Old Market Car Park?

Old Market Car Park is a paid car park.

When is Old Market Car Park busiest?

Old Market Car Park tends to be busiest Saturday 10am-4pm.

When is Old Market Car Park quietest?

The quietest period for Old Market Car Park is typically Weekday mornings before 9am, Sundays, weekday evenings after 6pm.

What kind of car park is Old Market Car Park?

Old Market Car Park is a town centre car park with surface parking, operated by Dorset Council.

Nearby Car Parks

Acland Road Car Park 94m away Trinity Street Car Park 186m away Trinity Street Car Park 225m away Fairfield Long Stay 470m away

More car parks in Dorchester

Dorset Falconry Park Employee Parking ~19 spaces Dorset Falconry Park Visitor Parking ~41 spaces Holmead Square ~20 spaces

Day	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm
Mon	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Tue	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Wed	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Thu	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Fri	5	14	29	53	67	77	82	77	72	67	58	43	24	14	5
Sat	5	10	29	58	77	86	91	86	82	72	58	38	19	10	5
Sun	5	5	10	19	34	43	48	43	38	29	19	10	5	5	0

Day	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm
Mon	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Tue	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Wed	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Thu	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Fri	5	14	29	53	67	77	82	77	72	67	58	43	24	14	5
Sat	5	10	29	58	77	86	91	86	82	72	58	38	19	10	5
Sun	5	5	10	19	34	43	48	43	38	29	19	10	5	5	0

Day	6am	7am	8am	9am	10am	11am	12pm	1pm	2pm	3pm	4pm	5pm	6pm	7pm	8pm
Mon	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Tue	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Wed	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Thu	5	14	29	48	62	72	77	72	67	62	53	38	19	10	5
Fri	5	14	29	53	67	77	82	77	72	67	58	43	24	14	5
Sat	5	10	29	58	77	86	91	86	82	72	58	38	19	10	5
Sun	5	5	10	19	34	43	48	43	38	29	19	10	5	5	0