July 2019


Best places for parking in Thame

Thame has fantastic high-street full of unique independent shops, pubs, and restaurants.

Landmarks such as the Thame Town Hall, the Market House, Rumsey’s Chocolaterie, The Swan Hotel, and The Black Horse pub have all been featured in the popular ITV series, Midsomer Murders.

If you are thinking about visiting, you should know that parking in Town Centre can be a pain! So, to help you, here is our breakdown of the best places to leave your car:

Town Center

Let’s face it, you may as well give it a try. With a 1 hour maximum stay and some very attendant attendants, you can guarantee that people will be coming and going all day long.

Think lucky thoughts and you never know, though Tuesdays are tougher when the market is on.

Cattle Market

Free for an hour, then 80p for the next hour. Slightly further out perhaps but still a good bet if you want to guarantee getting a spot (except on a Friday when the market is in full swing).

  • North Street, Thame, OX9 3FP
  • Pay & Display – managed by South Oxfordshire District Council (01235 470118)
  • Up to 1 Hour – Free
  • Up to 2 hours – £1.60
  • Up to 5 hours – £2.60
  • Up to 8 hours – £3.00
  • Limit – Maximum stay 23 hours. No return within 1 hour
  • Charges apply 8am to 6pm – Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm – Sunday
  • Disabled parking – If you display your Blue Badge, parking is free with no time limits.

Sainsbury’s

You get 2 hours in the Sainsbury’s car park and they use number plate recognition to check your entry and exit time. Expect a letter through the post a few days later if you overstay your welcome!

Waitrose

2 hours for Waitrose customers can be handy, though it’s usually quite a slow trawl around whilst you look for a spot. Once you’re parked you have a strict 2 hours!

Electric vehicle charging now available in this car park


Southern Road

A bit further away from the action, but a pretty safe bet and you’ll have 2 solid hours to do what you need to do.

Co-op

There’s also a pay and display car park at the back of Co-op

  • Dorchester Place, Thame, OX9 2DL
  • 1 Hour – Free (with ticket)
  • 2 Hours -£1.60
  • 3 Hours – £2.20
  • Limit – Maximum stay 3 Hours. No return within 1 hour
  • Charges apply 8am to 6pm – Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 5pm – Sunday
  • Pay & Display – managed by South Oxfordshire District Council (01235 470118)
  • Disabled parking – If you display your Blue Badge, parking is free with no time limits.
  • Electric vehicle charging now available in this car park (12 spaces)


Upper High Street Car Park

  • Upper High Street, Thame, OX9 3EX
  • Price – FREE
  • Limit – 3 Hours (1 Hour on Tuesday), No return within 1 hour to the same or different bay
  • No ticket required – managed by Oxfordshire County Council
  • Disabled parking – If you display your Blue Badge, parking is free with no time limits. There are disabled parking bays but as long as you display your Blue Badge you can park in any bay.


Thame is a great place to get quirky and unique gifts, and you are also safe from the trauma of outlet villages like Bicester Village and the hectic Westgate at the Oxford City Centre.