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Bristol City Ground Name: Ashton Gate
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Bristol City Ground Name: Ashton Gate
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| Contents | |
| What's The Ground Like? Future Developments Atyeo & Dolman Stands (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Williams Stand (photo) Where To Drink? Wedlock Stand (photo) How To Get There By Car & Where To Park By Train A Closer Look At The Atyeo Stand (photo) Programme & Fanzines Local Rivals Admission Prices Disabled Facilities Fixtures 2009-2010 Ground Layout Record & Average Attendance Other Places Of Interest Feedback Return To The Main Menu |
Walkers livens up
the town of Sandwich
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| What's The Ground Like? | |
| The Blackthorn Atyeo stand at one end of the ground is a handsome, covered all seated single tiered stand. It was opened in 1994, replacing a former open terrace and made a great difference to the overall look of the ground. At the other end is the covered Wedlock Stand (also known as the Eastend), part of which is given to away supporters. On one side is the Dolman Stand, which although single tiered is divided into an upper and lower area. The lower part is used as a family area, although this area is largely open to the elements. Opposite, the Williams Stand is an older looking single tiered stand, with several supporting pillars. A small band resides in one corner of the Atyeo Stand which on occasion helps to boost the atmosphere. | |
| Future Developments | |
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The Club have announced that they are intending to move to a new purpose built stadium, based in Ashton Vale (near to the Park & Ride area just off the A370. This is around half a mile away from Ashton Gate). The Club have purchased the land and have received outline planning permission. The proposed capacity is initially 30,000, housed in four separate stands, with an option to increase to 42,000 at a later stage. Bristol has been chosen as a possible venue in support of England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals and if the bid is successful and the stadium chosen to host games, then the additional expansion to 42,000 will take place. If things go to plan and the necessary finances put in place, then Bristol City could be kicking off in the new stadium for the start of the 2012/13 season. The Club hope to sell the Ashton Gate site to a supermarket chain. A video showing an artists impression of the new stadium can be seen on the BBC Sports website. | |
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| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? | |
| Away fans are
housed at one end of the ground in part of the Wedlock Stand, which is
shared with home supporters. Around 2,800 away supporters can be
accommodated in this area. The acoustics of this stand are excellent, so even a small
number of away fans can really generate some noise. The close proximity of
the home fans also helps boost the atmosphere. The facilities are pretty
standard, plus there are a number of supporting pillars running across the
front, which could impair your view. The rake of the stand which was
a former terrace, is pretty shallow, which means that there is not a great
height between rows. Also if you are unfortunate enough to be sitting
near to the back, then you may find yourself watching the game through the
equivalent of a letter box, as the roof comes down quite low to the front
of the stand. Refreshments available inside include; Cheeseburgers (£3), Burgers (£2.80), Various Pies & Pasties including the Chicken Balti Pie (£2.40), Pizza Pods (£2.40) and Jumbo Sausage Rolls The delicious 'Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pie' (£2.20) is available inside the ground. A day out at Bristol City, in line with the general improvement in football, is now far more enjoyable for away fans than it once was. | |
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| Where To Drink? | |
| Alex Webber recommends the Pumphouse and the Nova Scotia for away supporters by the waterfront, but adds that pubs nearer to the ground such as the Hen & Chicken and the BS3 Bar should be given a wide berth. The Robins pub, which is situated a few minutes walk from the away end and was a favourite for away fans has now alas become a pub for 'home supporters' only. Please note that alcohol is not available to away fans inside the ground. | |
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| How To Get There By Car & Where To Park | |
| Leave the M5 at Junction
18, travel along the Portway (A4) following signs for the Bristol
Airport/Taunton (A38). Over the swing bridge (Brunel Way), branching left
into Winterstoke Road, and you will see the ground on your left.
Parking at the ground is for permit holders only, although there is another alternative car park on Ashton Vale Road (using the above directions it is a right hand turn off Winterstoke Road, opposite the ground), run by You Can Park Ltd. It is two minutes walk from the ground, has 400 spaces and cost £3.50. Spaces can be pre booked by calling 0871 200 3261. Otherwise it is a case of finding some street parking. Although as Mitch Ford informs me; 'Parking around Ashton Gate has been severely hindered recently in that many streets now have double yellow lines. To counter this many businesses around the area have offered match day parking. Two noticeably are Park and Fly on South Liberty Lane, just off Winterstoke road. It costs £3 to park and £1 to use their mini bus link that drops you outside the Robins Pub (just a few minutes walk to the ground). Alternatively you can walk in around 10 minutes from the site, which is security controlled. Secondly is Bedminster Cricket club on Clanage Road A369. Cost of this is around £5 per match and is around a 5 - 10 minute walk to the stadium'. For a map showing the location of Ashton Gate click here (to take you to the Street Map website). To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here. | |
| By Train | |
| The nearest railway station is Parson Street which is around a ten minute walk away from the ground. However few trains stop at this station so you are more likely to end up at Bristol Temple Meads mainline station instead. This station is at least two miles from the ground and hence too far to walk, so best to jump in a taxi (around £6). Neil Le Milliere a visiting Exeter City supporter adds '"don't try and walk it from the station unless you really have to and then allow at least 3/4s of an hour for the journey". Chris Davis says; 'there are buses which leave from behind the Atyeo Stand at the end of the game which go to the centre of Bristol and Temple Meads Station at a cost of £1. Although predominantly for home fans, away fans could also use them'. | |
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| Programme & Fanzines | |
| Official Programme
£3 One Team In Bristol Fanzine £1.20. Cider'ed Fanzine £1. | |
| Local Rivals | |
| Bristol Rovers, Cardiff City & some fans consider Swindon Town to be local rivals. | |
| Admission Prices | |
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Home Fans* Away Fans | |
| Disabled Facilities | |
| For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. | |
| Fixtures 2009-2010 | |
| For the Bristol City fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website) | |
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| Record & Average Attendance | |
| 43,335 v Preston North
End, FA Cup 5th Round, 1935. Modern All Seated Attendance Record: 20,007 v Bristol Rovers Division Two, January 16th, 1996. Average Attendance: 2008-2009: 16,816 (Championship League) 2007-2008: 16,276 (Championship League) 2006-2007: 12,818 (League One) | |
| Fans Reviews Of Ashton Gate | |
| Daniel Peacock (Nottingham Forest)
4/3/06 James Falkingham (Southend United) 29/10/05 | |
| Other Places Of Interest | |
| If you're into historical ships then the first iron hulled, screw propeller-driven steamship, the SS Great Britain is moored at the historic docks. The area around the docks is quite pleasant with some good pubs. Pete Smith adds; 'The Clifton Suspension Bridge that overlooks Ashton Gate, is quite an amazing sight. It was originally designed by Brunel and it goes over the Avon Gorge. As it is very high up the views are superb' For further information on Bristol Tourist attractions then visit the At-Bristol website. | |
| Hotel Accommodation | |
| If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. To access their Bristol page click here. | |
| Feedback | |
| If anything is incorrect
or you have something to add, please e-mail
me and I'll update the guide. | |
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| Return To The Main Menu | |
