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Bristol
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Bristol
City
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| Contents | |
| What's Ashton
Gate 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 2011-2012 Ground Layout Record & Average Attendance Other Places Of Interest Hotel Accommodation Ashton Gate Location Map |
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| What's Ashton Gate 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 has 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 for a 30,000 all seated stadium, comprised of four separate stands. However, no firm timescales have been announced as to when this development might take place. 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 (£2.20). There is also a KFC outlet located just outside the ground entrance. 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. Chris Gill a visiting Leeds United fan
adds; 'Near Temple Meads station there is the Knights
Templar pub, a Wetherspoons outlet, that seems
friendly enough. It’s a two minute walk straight ahead
from the station into the Temple area and off to
the left in the square'. Scott Grimwood a visiting
Ipswich Town fan informs me; 'The Cottage in
Baltic Wharf, is a nice pub situated on the river
front and has good real ale (from the Butcombe Brewery).
On my visits both set's of fan's mixed pleasantly'. Matt Greenslade recommends; 'The Orchard pub is about a ten minute walk from the ground at Hanover Place on Harbourside. Voted Britains top cider pub in 2009 with a huge sampling of local brews for anyone who wants to try the infamous cloudy stuff'. This pub is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and apart from having a number of ales on offer, it also has up to 24 different ciders available. The question is though, if you visit this pub before the game, will you still make the kick off? 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. Mitch Ford informs me; 'Parking around Ashton Gate has been severely hindered recently in that many streets now have double yellow lines. There is the Bedminster Cricket club on Clanage Road (A369), that offers parking at a cost of £5 per car. It is then around a 5-10 minute walk to the stadium'. Otherwise it is a case of finding some street parking. Map showing the location of the Ashton Gate football ground (at the bottom of this page). |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| Disabled Facilities | |
| For
details of disabled facilities and club contact at the
ground please visit the relevant page on the Level
Playing Field website. Mike a visiting Swindon Town fan adds; 'The away coaches are parked about 300 yards away from the entrance, there are disabled car spaces closer. The stewards were very helpful in showing us to the wheelchair spaces close to the corner flag in the Wedlock Stand. There was a steward on hand all through the game and the disabled toilet was close to where we were seated. The only drawbacks were the disabled ramp was a little steep and view of the other end of the pitch was hampered by the safety rail. Also the seating arrangements could have been better spaced, as all the helpers seats were placed in one rather than one wheelchair one seat. |
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| Fixtures 2011-2012 | |
| Bristol City FC fixture list (takes 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: 2010-2011: 14,605 (Championship League) 2009-2010: 14,601 (Championship League) 2008-2009: 16,816 (Championship League) |
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| Fans Reviews Of Ashton Gate | |
| Callum
Smith (Neutral) 16/4/11 Jamie Collis (Reading) 19/12/09 Cobi Budge (Plymouth Argyle) 5/12/09 Daniel Peacock (Nottingham Forest) 4/3/06 James Falkingham (Southend United) 29/10/05 |
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| 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. Chris Gill a visiting Leeds United fan tells me; 'I walked from Temple Meads to the SS Great Britain and it’s not a bad walk if you’re not worried about a bit of exercise! That took about half an hour. From there it’s another 10-15 minutes to the ground'. | |
| Hotel Accommodation | |
| If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. 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. The Hotels listing also includes details of how far away the accommodation is located from the football ground. Access their Bristol Hotels and Guest Houses page. | |
| Map Showing The Location Of Ashton
Gate, Railway Stations And Listed Pubs |
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| Instructions
for using the map: - Use the bar on the left of the map to zoom in / out using the + / - keys. - Click and drag an area of the map to move around or use the up/down, left/right arrows - Click the Satellite button to see aerial view photograph.
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| Feedback | |
| If anything is incorrect or you have something
to add, please e-mail me duncan@footballgrounds.net
and I'll update the guide. |
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