Parking Guide for Southend Hospital Maternity Ward

By Suzie Ayre

Welcome to Southend University Hospital sign

Parking at Southend Hospital can feel daunting if you’re unfamiliar with the layout. This guide aims to help you navigate parking options near the Maternity Ward to make your visit as smooth as possible. Please note that parking rules and areas may change, so it’s best to verify before your visit.

Where is the Maternity Unit?

The maternity unit is located on the 2nd floor of the Cardigan Building. The address of the building is as follows:

Cardigan Building,
Southend University Hospital,
Prittlewell Chase,
Westcliff on Sea,
Essex
SS0 0RY

On the guidance map below, please see the green outlined building.

Getting to the Cardigan Building

The main entrance to the Cardigan Building is on the west side of the hospital, conveniently marked by a Costa Coffee just beyond the doors. See the green arrow on the map for the location of the entrance. Follow these links to locate it easily:

Inside the Cardigan Building

Upon entering, follow signs for the Maternity Ward along the main corridor. Shortly, you’ll see a pair of lifts on the right. Take these to the 2nd floor. After exiting, turn left, where you’ll find the entrance to the Maternity Ward. Note: access to the unit is controlled, so please use the security buzzer.

Map of Southend Hospital showing the Cardigan Building outlined in green, the entrance arrow and the nearby car parks

Where to Park?

Car Park A (Closest to Maternity Ward)

The closest parking option to the Cardigan Building is Car Park A, situated approximately 30 metres from the building entrance. This car park is reserved for patients and visitors only, providing a short and convenient walk to the ward entrance.

Additional Parking Options

If Car Park A is full, consider these alternatives:

Car Park D: Near the main hospital entrance, providing good access to the Cardigan Building.

Car Park E: Located a bit farther from the maternity unit but a backup option.

If these car parks aren’t available then you may have to drive down to the car park at the Tower Block of the hospital (Car Park F). Please note that this will require quite a long walk to reach the maternity unit.

Street Parking

If hospital parking is limited, Prittlewell Chase (near Chase High School) offers metered street parking without the need for a permit. There aren’t many spaces here, so be aware.

Other Parking

Another consideration could be to use an app or website like justpark.com, which shows a number of private parking spots in and around the area.

Drop-Off / Pick-Up Points

For quick drop-offs or pick-ups, the following monitored spaces near the Cardigan Building entrance allow limited stopping. Please avoid leaving your vehicle unattended here.

Drop Off 1

Drop Off 2

Drop Off 3

Drop Off 4 (Prittlewell Chase): allows a free 30-minute grace period.

Additional Tips

  • Plan ahead: aim to arrive early to secure a spot, especially during peak visiting hours.
  • Have payment ready: car parks accept multiple payment methods (cash, card, or app). Be sure to check the signage on-site.
  • Consider accessibility: if you need closer access or have a Blue Badge, enquire about designated spaces upon arrival.

Conclusion

Parking at Southend Maternity Ward can be manageable with some planning. Use the guides and map links above to help you reach the ward with minimal stress. If you need further assistance, the hospital parking office can provide real-time advice on parking availability.

Southend Hospital site map from 2017

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