Away Days - Travel Guide: Nottingham Forest vs. Cardiff City
The Bluebirds take to the road for the second time this week, facing Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.
Travel Tips
Located in the town of West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, travelling City fans face an early start ahead of our 1pm kick off. The car journey to the City Ground takes roughly three and a half hours from CCS, via the M50, M5, M42 and M1. There are a number of club-affiliated car parks close to the ground, including Meadow Lane, County Hall and Cattlemarket Pay and Display. Fans should be advised that there is no on-street parking in the vicinity of the stadium, nor at the ground itself.
Alternatively, the closest train station to the stadium is Nottingham Station, which is approximately a ten-minute bus ride or twenty-minute walk away from the City Ground, via Queens Road and London Road (A60). However, train journeys from Cardiff Central on matchday are unlikely to arrive in time for kick off, so please plan your journey as early as possible to avoid delay or disappointment.
Away tickets are still available for this match!
Away End
Situated on the picturesque banks of the River Trent, the City Ground has a capacity of 30,445 – the tenth biggest stadium in the division this season. The City Ground has been the home of Forest since 1898, and shares the record with friendly neighbours Notts County as the closest football grounds in England (300 yards apart).
City fans will be housed in the lower tier of the Bridgford Stand, which in total can hold 7,710 spectators. Renovated in 1992-93, the maximum away allocation is around 4,800. The official matchday programme 'Forest Review' is available in the away end for £3.
Pies and Pints
The range of food available inside the stadium includes Pukka Pies and Cornish Pasties for £3.20 and sausage rolls for £2.50. Also available are hot dogs and burgers, priced at £3.60. Alcohol is available in the form of Heineken bottles.
Our hosts advise that most local bars and pubs will accept away supporters, with the exception of the Larwood & Voce and the Trent Bridge Inn, which are strictly for home fans only. The unofficial ‘away pub’ is the Meadow Club on Meadow Lane, close to Notts County’s stadium. Other potential options include the Stratford Haven and the Company Inn.
Food for Thought
There are a number of restaurants and cafes in the immediate area around the City Ground that offer a wide variety of dishes from many locations. A popular recommendation is the Chakh le India which serves Indian and Balti dishes, with vegetarian and gluten free options.
For those City fans who fancy a Sunday roast after the game, head to Ego at the Dorset Arms for a good value yet delicious meal. Alternatively, check out Tom Browns Brasserie in Trentside for a fine dining experience. Thirdly, the Fat Cat in the City Centre also offers a unique Sunday lunch experience.
Away tickets are still available for this match!
Tourist Time
To continue your sports-themed weekend, why not check out two of Nottingham’s other famous sporting venues. Close to the football stadiums is Trent Bridge, home of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and host of various England internationals. Although the cricket season is currently over, guided tours of the stadium cost just £4 - please book in advance by calling 0115 982 3000 or 0115 981 9939.
Alternatively, travelling Bluebirds could visit the National Ice Centre - the first Olympic sized rink in the UK - and home of the Nottingham Panthers. While a rush back to watch Cardiff Devils might not work timewise, the Panthers take on Fife Flyers at the rink just 1.4 miles away from the City Ground, with tickets starting from just £9 to complete a sport filled weekend.
