Brighton & Hove Albion

Directions

The stadium is located two miles away from the town centre and is just off the London Road (A23). There is no parking allowed within a mile of the ground, due to matchday restrictions in place around the stadium (one of the conditions that was agreed for allowing Brighton to play there).

Kevin Ditch informs me that 'there is an excellent park and ride scheme which is available about one mile north of the ground, at Mill Road. Given that 90% of away fans come from the north and travel down the M23/A23, this is the ideal site, as it is right next to the main  road'. Colin Peel adds 'I found the Park & Ride scheme to be brilliant; I got back in my car after the game, for the start of Sports Report!'. Remember that your match ticket includes a park and ride ticket for either the train or bus.

Mick Hubbard adds; 'We used the park and ride which was a bit of a fiasco.  We did what we were told and followed the park & ride signs from the A23, only to find ourselves right at the stadium! This is because the Withdean is itself a park & ride for Brighton town centre on non-matchdays. The park & ride used for the ground is not well signposted. The best advice I can give is to go down the A23 and look out for a Spar and BP garage on the right at a roundabout, not long after you go under the A27. Turn right at this roundabout into Mill Road. Mill Road is blocked off on matchdays and used as a parking area. When we got there, about 12:45, it wasn't open so we had to wait about 10 minutes and then another 10 minutes sitting on the bus waiting for it to go. It took another 10 mins to the ground and then we had a 15 minute walk to the pub so we weren't best pleased!  Worse still, the drop off point is different to where you catch it after the game.  It drops you off right outside the ground but you get the return bus from a main road nearby.  Best to ask directions as it is not obvious and there is no signposting'.

Pubs

Mark Collins informs me  'the Sportsman at the rear of the North Stand is now open on matchdays, though expect it to be crowded'. Otherwise Peter Hodd suggests 'the Preston Brewery Tap, located one mile south of the stadium, on the main A23 and is football friendly, but very crowded. Alastair Webb adds; 'I would recommend the Station pub on Hampstead Road. The pub which 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 ground)'. Whilst Gareth Pattison adds; 'About five minutes walk away from Preston Park station along the A23 (going towards Brighton rather than the stadium) is the Crown and Anchor. The pub is a bit less crowded than the others mentioned and offers meals too'.

By Train

The nearest railway station is Preston Park which is about a 10-15 minute walk from the ground. The station is served by trains from London Victoria, Kings Cross & London Bridge (it is cheaper to travel from the latter two). On coming out of the station and walking down to the bottom of the hill, turn left along the A23 for the stadium or right for the Preston Brewery Tap pub. After the game there is a football special waiting which takes you back along the short journey to Brighton. I chose to do this by parking in the city centre and then getting the train (it only takes five minutes) to Preston Park. This way you get the chance to sample the pubs around the station!
 

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