Diego_Sideburns Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 Swindon Town, County Ground, County Road, Swindon, SN1 2ED. NOTE: Tickets have to be purchased from a ticket point between the Arkell stand and Stratton bank, close to the entry turnstiles, prior to presenting yourself at the turnstile. Up to 1,200 away fans can be accommodated in the covered Arkell Stand at one side of the pitch. This is an older stand with facilities to match, but at least you are under cover. If you are at the back of this stand, there is one supporting pillar which may impair your view of the goal. Otherwise it is fine and you even get a view of some of the rolling Marlborough Hills. Disabled facilities: The Club is regarded as having some of the best facilities in the league. There are 50 wheelchair spaces in the home end and 6 in the away area all with space for the carer. The stadium also has facilities for those with sight and hearing deficiencies. Disabled Co-ordinator: Ron Topp, Stadium Manager Tel: 01793 333734 How to get there: By car: From the North A419 from Cricklade/Cirencester/M5: Continue on the A419 until reaching the top of the new 3 lane stretch of dual-carriageway, which runs uphill. (stay in the inside lane on this climb as the exit approaches quickly). Take the exit at the top of the hill (Lady Lane Junction). At the lights go right, then almost immediately at the next set of lights go left. Follow this road through the next set of traffic lights (passing the Motorola building to the right), then branch left onto the A4311. From here follow this road, following signs for Town Centre. At Transfer Bridges roundabouts turn left at the first and then straight over the second. The County Ground is on the left after the mini-roundabout. From M4 Junc.15: From Junction 15 head north on the A419. At the Commonhead Roundabout take the first exit onto the A4259 (Marlborough Road). After about a mile you'll meet another roundabout. Take the second exit (still the A4259, but now Queen's Drive). Carry on for one and a half miles until you reach yet another roundabout at the junction with Drake's Way. Take the first exit (still the A4259) and immediately prepare for the wonders of the ‘Magic Roundabout‘. You will see The County Ground to your right. From the Midlands: Take the M40 to Junction 9. Then take the A43, A34 and then the A420 into Swindon. At Drakes' Roundabout turn onto Queen's Drive. At the next set of roundabouts take 3rd exit onto County Road. The entrance to the stadium is the first right. The ground is well-signposted in and around Swindon town centre. Just follow signs for 'The County Ground'. The ‘Magic Roundabout’ Parking: There is some street parking. Otherwise park at the Cricket Club (take County Road off the ‘Magic Roundabout‘, go past the County Hotel on your right, you will see a small sign further down on your right for football parking (£5), just before the mini-roundabout). If you want to avoid the trauma of the ‘Magic Roundabout’ there is usually parking made available in St Joseph's Catholic School shortly before you reach it. There are 180 spaces, and the charge is £5. It is about a five minutes walk to the ground. There is some parking available at the stadium for a cost of £10. By train: To walk to the stadium from Swindon train station will take around 10-15 minutes. Leave the station, cross the road and proceed up the road between the two pubs (Great Western and Queen's Tap), continue to end of road. Turn left, proceed along Manchester Road, through traffic lights as far as you can go. At the junction turn right. The County Ground is about 300 yards up this road on the left. By taxi A single trip from either the town centre or the station should cost less than £5. Where to drink: Alcohol is available within the stadium to away fans in the Arkell Stand. The County Hotel right by the stadium, does not normally allow entrance to away supporters. Continue down County Road and seek out the Cricket Club that sits behind the Arkell Stand. On match days home and away fans can park there (for a small fee) and then have access to a drink in the Cricket Club. This is a very friendly (as well as cheap) Club that always welcomes away fans. You can still get in (there is no charge) even if you have not parked there. NOTE: The Cricket Club facilities are not available when cricket is being played. Otherwise, if you arrive early, Swindon town centre is a 15 minute walk away. Noted pubs: The Merlin: Drove Road. A 'Sports Bar' around five minutes walk south of the stadium. Has 8 TVs, 2 plasma TVs, a 67" plasma screen, 3 pool tables, dartboard, and video juke box. Real ales and the usual draught beers, lagers and cider. Food is served lunchtime and early evening. There are parking spaces for about 40 cars, and there is wheelchair access. Strictly over 18s, away fans welcome but NOT in colours. The Tap & Barrel: Continuing along County Road past the entrance to the cricket ground, cross over and turn left at the mini-roundabout into Manchester Road. This Irish theme pub with Sky TV is A few hundred yards up on the left. Duke of Wellington: 27, Eastcott Hill, :The only pub in Swindon still serving beer on gravity. It is an Arkell’s outlet, and has been since it opened in 1869. Small two room local tucked away in the back streets and not easy to find. Half a mile south of the railway station and a mile from the stadium. Traditional pub games like darts and cribbage. Has a beer garden and serves bar food. Steam Railway: 14, Newport Street, Old Town. Large pub twenty minutes walk from the stadium. Good all-rounder. Food served. Has nine hand-pumps and up to six guest ales and the usual draught beer, lager and cider. Wheelchair friendly, adapted toilet, children welcome until early evening, pool table and darts,. Sport shown on six TVs around the pub and a big screen in the roofed courtyard. There is a car park (not the pub's) virtually opposite. The Glue Pot: 5, Emlyn Square. Tucked behind the Railway Museum and about a mile from the stadium. A Hop Back pub that generally has six of their offerings on plus a couple of guest ales and four or five ciders from the Weston’s range. Has a big screen to show sports and does basic but decent food at lunchtimes. The Grove: Drove Road. A Beefeater pub/restaurant, a little further along Grove Road from the stadium than The Merlin (above) but still not much more than five minutes walk. Usual draught beer and cider with one real ale. Has the Beefeater food range which includes vegetarian options. There is a beer garden, patio area, baby-changing facility and car parking with 90 spaces. Children are welcome. The Swiss Chalet: Chapel Street. Another Arkell’s pub, the other side of the railway line north of the stadium and around 15 minutes walk away. One of the main pub venues for live music in Swindon. A full range of music is covered but it specialises in young local bands. Also has satellite TV and its own parking. Serves food. Where to eat: Inside the stadium, there is a small kiosk at the back of stand serving amongst other things a range of Shires Pies. WARNING: Be careful when taking them back to your seat. The entrances to the seating areas are through large solid doors, and to compound matters they open out towards you! Cash machine: Nearest cash machines can be found at Tesco, a 5 minute walk from the stadium, otherwise the town centre which is a 10-15 minute walk away. Map of the area: http://www.multimap.com/maps/?zoom=16&...2:16|SN12ED|SN1 2ED Attractions: Swindon's growth was built on the railway industry, but that is long gone. Much of the centre is a soulless wasteland of the very worst of municipal planning. There has been some attempt more recently to salvage and restore what little of the old Swindon escaped the bulldozers. Now its wealth comes from the M4 Silicon Corridor. The more distant past is recalled in the Museum of the Great Western Railway and its more recent past in the Museum of Computing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigfinLatic Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 So who the bloomin'eck is going to this one? I asked on the chat yesterday and got a big fat '0' in response.... Is it just going to be me and diego? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share Posted February 7, 2010 (edited) Is it just going to be me and diego? Don't forget Mrs. S! And Paul from Newport, S. Wales. We'll be in the Tap & Barrel. Edited February 7, 2010 by Diego_Sideburns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share Posted February 7, 2010 The Swindon weather forecast looks OK but keep an eye on it in case the expected snow moves further westwards. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/sw/...st_weather.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markoasis Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 So who the bloomin'eck is going to this one? I asked on the chat yesterday and got a big fat '0' in response.... Is it just going to be me and diego? Yes!!! Mike and Dave are going ... Joe will be popping over from Wales!! Don't finish work until 6pm so won't be making it and saving my holidays / ££££ for my Aussie holiday in March Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigfinLatic Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 Yes!!! Mike and Dave are going ... Joe will be popping over from Wales!! Don't finish work until 6pm so won't be making it and saving my holidays / ££££ for my Aussie holiday in March Good 'oh... I'll drop them a note tomorrow to discuss eta's etc... That makes at least 6 of us then... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigDog Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 Good 'oh... I'll drop them a note tomorrow to discuss eta's etc... That makes at least 6 of us then... Seven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share Posted February 7, 2010 Seven Magnificent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigDog Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Magnificent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCM Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Swindon fan in peace! Just came on to let you know we had a bit of snow today, but it didn't settle whatsover so i'd imagine the game will be on still. Not sure if it's meant to snow again overnight, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Break The Silence Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Christ, I bet there's been some bumps at the magic roundabout! Hope the designer doesn't have any input into our new stadium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted February 8, 2010 Author Share Posted February 8, 2010 Christ, I bet there's been some bumps at the magic roundabout! Hope the designer doesn't have any input into our new stadium The experts say though there have been 14 serious accidents and just over a hundred lesser ones recorded in 25 years, that rate is less than one would expect for such a busy junction. T-shirts available if you negotiate it successfully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted February 8, 2010 Author Share Posted February 8, 2010 Swindon fan in peace! Just came on to let you know we had a bit of snow today, but it didn't settle whatsover so i'd imagine the game will be on still. Not sure if it's meant to snow again overnight, though. Thanks. Please keep us informed tomorrow morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCM Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 (edited) Funnily enough it's actually ridiculously easy to navigate. So there! Edit: Absolutely freezing outside but no sign of snow since about 2 this afternoon. I'll try and pop online before work tommorow. Edited February 8, 2010 by SCM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 So who the bloomin'eck is going to this one? I asked on the chat yesterday and got a big fat '0' in response.... Is it just going to be me and diego? Tried to rearrange my date with an attractive lesbian traffic warden, but no joy You're on your own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigfinLatic Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Tried to rearrange my date with an attractive lesbian traffic warden, but no joy You're on your own I'm busy cracking one off. Cheers mate! As for the snow - it snowed for about 20 seconds today. It will be on. However, it was close - if it was about 30 seconds most of the south-wests infrastructure would have ground to a halt. Again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spadam Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 So who the bloomin'eck is going to this one? I asked on the chat yesterday and got a big fat '0' in response.... Is it just going to be me and diego? they were probably at tranmere. I am going should be good. Can't see many going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 Cheers mate! As for the snow - it snowed for about 20 seconds today. It will be on. However, it was close - if it was about 30 seconds most of the south-wests infrastructure would have ground to a halt. Again. Doubt I will last that long, be it solo or participatory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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