Motorists heading out to witness Wednesday's rare solar eclipse could be stung with £100 parking fines, as experts warn of strict restrictions in popular viewing spots. The UK is set to experience its most significant solar eclipse in over half a century, with more than 90% of the Sun obscured by the Moon between 6.17pm and 8.06pm on August 12.
Eclipse Draws Crowds, Parking Risks Rise
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, cautioned that the influx of spectators to rural areas, beaches, and open spaces could lead to unexpected penalties. “Finding the perfect viewing spot is only half the challenge. With huge crowds expected to head towards rural viewpoints, beaches and open spaces, unfamiliar parking restrictions could leave drivers facing an unwanted fine,” he said.
Conway drew parallels to the 1999 total eclipse, when Devon and Cornwall were overwhelmed by visitors. “The surge was so significant that local authorities prepared for the event as though they were managing a major festival. Similar crowd-control measures could return in popular viewing areas this August,” he added.
Parking Fine Statistics Highlight Growing Issue
Conway highlighted that 6 million parking Penalty Charge Notices were issued by English local authorities outside London between 2024 and 2025, a 12% increase from the 5 million notices issued in 2023 to 2024. “If your chosen spot is located around a high-speed road or rural areas, a roadside parking ban may be enforced to prevent congestion for other cars on the road. Stopping in an unsafe or obstructive location could also put other road users at risk,” he warned.
Safety First: Sunglasses Not Enough
The Royal Greenwich Observatory has stressed that regular sunglasses are unsafe for viewing the eclipse. Imo Bell, a planetarium astronomer at the observatory, told the Press Association: “It’s not a total eclipse, but over 90% is really exciting. We’re not going to get one this good for a really long time.”
Bell emphasized the dangers: “You can’t just go out and expect to have a look because it’s really dangerous for your eyes. So you can use solar eclipse glasses, which are very, very different from sunglasses – they block out so much light that you can’t see anything through them except the Sun.”
Safe Viewing Alternatives
For those without eclipse glasses, Bell suggested using a solar telescope or attending local astronomy society events. “If all else fails, you can project the image of the eclipse using a household item like a colander which has lots of holes in – point the colander towards the Sun with your back facing it, and in the shadow of the colander you’ll be able to see the eclipse in the holes, which is really cool,” she added.
