Diego_Sideburns Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 (edited) The Withdean Athletics Stadium, Tongdean Lane, Brighton, BN1 5JD PLEASE NOTE: As part of the restrictions imposed on Brighton & Hove Albion when playing at Withdean, no match tickets will be on sale on the day of the game. All match tickets must be bought in advance. Each ticket contains a voucher to use the park & ride or local transport to and from the stadium. This voucher is also valid for the train journey between Brighton (or Haywards Heath) & Preston Park. The stadium: The stadium is situated in a residential area, where football supporters are tolerated under sufferance. A condition of the club’s use of the stadium is that all supporters, whether travelling by car, train or bus, must follow the designated route to the stadium. All away fans, including respectable pensioners, are frisked before entering the stadium. The initial impression of the stadium is of its picturesque surroundings, set into a hillside and mostly surrounded by woodland, giving it somewhat of a rural look. On three sides are a number of basic 'temporary stands' which are uncovered and therefore open to the elements, making it daunting on a cold, wet day. Away fans are housed in the West Stand at one end of the stadium, in a small temporary stand, more reminiscent of the structures at golf's British Open than a football ground. This stand is uncovered and has a capacity of 900 seats. On occasions this may also be shared with Brighton supporters, if the away Club elects to take a smaller allocation. Fans are set very well back from the pitch as there is a semi-oval grassed area behind the goal and then a running track in-between that and the stand itself. You may find binoculars useful to see what is happening in the other half of the pitch. Disabled facilities: Despite the fact that the stadium ranks pretty poorly in terms of the general experience for supporters, for disabled fans it ranks pretty highly. Of the 70 wheelchair spaces (this number can be increased), 10 spaces are reserved for away supporters with additional space for 10 helpers. There is limited disabled parking on site, though this fills up quickly and you are left with a 15 – 20 minute up hill walk or trying to negotiate the park & ride schemes. There are three disabled access points for wheelchair users, depending on where they are watching the match - ie North Stand, South Stand or Away Section. Adapted toilets can be found in the portakabins, with two for visiting supporters and five for home supporters. There are additional facilities in the hospitality suite. For visually-impaired supporters, the club have 20 hand-held radios, which attach to clothing so supporters are able to listen to commentary on Southern Counties radio. One word of warning, disabled supporters, like the majority of other supporters at the Withdean, are exposed to the elements and are liable to end up soaked through so be prepared. How to get there: By road - Park & Ride Services from 12:30pm although in the past they have not started until 1:00pm: From the North: Follow the M23 south onto the A23 for approximately 30 miles to the roundabout with the junction of the A27. On the A23 not long after you pass under the A27, look out for a Spar and BP garage on the right at a roundabout,. Turn right at this roundabout into Mill Road, which is blocked off to through traffic on match-days and used as a park and ride service.. From the West: Leave the A27 at its junction with the A23, signposted towards Brighton. At the first roundabout, turn right, still following signs for Brighton. Go straight across the next two roundabouts into Mill Road and take the park and ride bus to the stadium. From the East: Leave the A27 at the A270 exit, signposted Brighton and follow the A270 Lewes Road. Continue for approximately 2 miles following signs for the Lewes Road/Mithras House Park and Ride and take the bus to the stadium. The stadium is located two miles away from the city centre and is just off the London Road (A23). Parking is strictly forbidden within a one mile cordon around the stadium and penalties are strictly imposed in the side streets, clearly marked as ‘Residents Only’. From personal experience, if you arrive by car expecting to be able to spend a couple of hours socialising before heading towards the stadium, you may be disappointed. The park and ride services are supposed to open at 12:30pm but in the past they have not opened until 1:00pm. Then you may have to wait on the bus for it to depart when full. It takes about 10 mins to the stadium and then there is a 15 minute walk to the nearest pub. Worse still, the drop off point is different to where you catch it after the game. It drops you off right outside the stadium, but you get the return bus by walking down under the bridge to the main A23 road, where you have to queue. After the match, buses operate for only 30 minutes and the car park closes 2 hours after the final whistle. This is a much less convenient park and ride service that the one at Swansea. Do not be confused into following the Park and Ride signs from the A23, only to find yourself right at the stadium! This is because the Withdean is itself a Park & Ride for Brighton city centre on non-match-days. By rail: The nearest station is Preston Park which is about a 15 minute walk from the stadium. The station is served by trains from London Victoria, Kings Cross & London Bridge. On leaving the station you may be permitted to turn left and walk the direct route to the stadium. However, sometimes you are not for fear of disrupting local residents. If that is the case, as you walk out of the station continue and straight ahead down to the bottom of the hill. Turn left along the A23 for the stadium (or right for the Preston Brewery Tap pub). From the A23 turn left again into Tongdean Lane and walk under a bridge to the stadium. After the game there is a football special train which takes you back along the short journey to Brighton. The travel voucher with your match ticket also includes train travel from Haywards Heath to Preston Park. Therefore the fans who are heading South on the London-Brighton mainline can save some money by only buying a ticket to Haywards Heath and then using their match-day travel voucher from there. By bus: From Brighton rail station, walk down Trafalgar Street onto London Road and catch either the 5 or 5A bus to Tongdean Lane. Local transport arrangements: Your ticket for the match includes the cost of public transport to and from the stadium. The full details of the local transport arrangements for the Withdean Stadium are set out on the club's 'Way to Withdean' link: http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Withdean/0,,10433,00.html Where to eat: There is little food on offer outside the stadium. Inside it is catering vans with hot dogs, burgers, etc., in the away end. If you are hungry and have got time, head into the city and check the many restaurants Brighton has to offer. The Lanes and Preston Street are the two places to go. For a decent Italian try Donatello's in the Lanes area (1-3 Brighton Place), a family-run restaurant where you can eat like kings for under a tenner. Curry fans could try Noori's at 70-71 Ship Street and don't be put off by the slightly shabby interior. For a Chinese, The China Garden (88-91 Preston Street) and Gars (19 Prince Albert Street) have a good reputation with the locals. A good steak can be had at the Aberdeen Steak House (27-28 Preston Street). Finally, a trip to the seaside may not be complete without fish & chips and the best in city are served at Bankers (116a Western Road) where you can eat in their neat and tidy, and rather quaint, licensed restaurant. Where to Drink: Note: Alcohol is not served within the stadium Within walking distance of the stadium: At the stadium prior to the game, there is the Sportsman, a Brewer’s Fayre pub, at the rear of the North Stand, which is open to home and away fans, but expect it to be crowded. It is suitable for families as it has a kids’ menu and both indoor and outdoor play areas. The Station pub on Hampstead Road is in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide serves a good selection of ales and is located literally just outside the Preston Park station entrance (although admittedly on the opposite side to the way fans exit the station for the stadium). The Station is an excellent traditional pub, selling good beers and has Sky Sports. It is about a 15 minute walk away from the stadium. Down the hill from Preston Park station on the opposite side of the A23 at 216 Preston Road is the Preston Park Hotel, which has a public bar, bar meals and a restaurant. About a five minutes walk away from Preston Park station, along the A23 (going towards Brighton rather than the stadium), is the Crown and Anchor, which also serves meals There is a social club on Chester Road next to the Vauxhall showroom which although advertises itself as ‘members only’ can be entered by paying £1 at the door. It is worth it as the beer inside is very cheap and the service generally good. You can also get some decent food here too in the shape of hot pot and steak sandwiches. The Park View (71 Preston Drove), The Preston Brewery Tap (197 Preston Road) and The Black Lion (A23 London Road; a rather large Harvester Pub close by to the Mill Road park & ride site) are all within walking distance. In Brighton city centre: There are plenty of pubs near the railway station. It only takes five minutes by train to Preston Park station. The Evening Star (55 Surrey Street) is a safe haven and is sure to be a hit with real ale fans. The Battle of Trafalgar (34 Guildford Road) is also a cosy pub, but can get busy on match-days. Further into city and the Eagle (125 Gloucester Road) offers a good menu, friendly bar staff, good selection of beers and a rather unique in-pub bakery. The same applies (less the bakery) to the Basketmakers, which is less than 30 metres away at 12 Gloucester Road and in addition has a good choice of real ales. The Three Jolly Butchers (59 North Road) is also worth a mention: a small pub, but with a great atmosphere and good sandwich bar adjoining the pub. The Heart and Hand, (75 North Road) is a little pub near the street market in Upper Gardener Street,. It has great beers and a vintage working jukebox with an excellent range of desirable & obscure 45s. Staying overnight in Brighton: Brighton is famed for its vibrant nightlife. West Street offers the usual city centre mix of bars and clubs. The Lanes provides the perfect pub crawl destination, but for the more discerning pallet, try the Kings Road Arches. Situated on the seafront, you spill out onto the pebbled beach at closing time. Brighton bars & Clubs: http://www.totaltravel.co.uk/travel/south-.../directory/bars Map of the area: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=52964...searchp=ids.srf Brighton & Hove street map: http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/static..._googlemap.aspx What's on: Friday 23rd October: http://www.myvillage.com/brighton/performa.../23%3A10%3A2009 Comedy Festival: http://www.brightondome.org/Events_on_23/10/2009 Saturday 24th October: http://www.myvillage.com/brighton/performa...24%3A10%3A2009/ Comedy Festival: http://www.brightondome.org/Events_on_24/10/2009 Da Doo Ron Ron is 11!: http://www.brightonlife.com/listings/komed...enne-76585.html Sunday 25th October: http://www.myvillage.com/brighton/performa.../25%3A10%3A2009 Visit Brighton website: http://www.visitbrighton.com/ Edited October 8, 2009 by Diego_Sideburns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny punkster Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 another crazy long weekender awaits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markoasis Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 another crazy long weekender awaits! staying with my best mate (and his misses) on the Friday then we are hot stepping it up to London for the Kangeroos v Kiwis game @ the Stoop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny punkster Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 staying with my best mate (and his misses) on the Friday then we are hot stepping it up to London for the Kangeroos v Kiwis game @ the Stoop we fly down to gatwick then train down friday night.. i'm looking to check out a band that are playing that night..gloria cycles -@jam http://www.myspace.com/gloriacycles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellysheroes Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 we fly down to gatwick then train down friday night.. i'm looking to check out a band that are playing that night..gloria cycles -@jam http://www.myspace.com/gloriacycles twisted wheel is the way forward. some good videos tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 If I don't do it one year I will go to my grave regretting not stealing one of those crappy telescopes from the seaside and setting it up at the top of the away stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny punkster Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 twisted wheel is the way forward. some good videos tho are twisted wheel playing in brighton that night???? huh? there you go then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 If I don't do it one year I will go to my grave regretting not stealing one of those crappy telescopes from the seaside and setting it up at the top of the away stand. Should've gone to Specsavers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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