The English Premier League is without doubt the most coveted football league in the World, and many of the clubs favoured by fans at home and abroad reside in London. Nowadays, with Premiership football home to some of the biggest names on the planet, teams are always looking to improve, and this includes the quality and capacity of the stadiums too.

There are plenty of grand stadiums to take a tour through in the capital, the most recent of which is Arsenal’s Emirates stadium, seeing in its first season in 2006-2007.

Arsenal – The Emirates

Arsenal is a club steeped in English football history, and with the new stadium up and running for some five full seasons, there is plenty to admire on both a historical and an architectural scale as you take a tour through one of London’s most reputable clubs. Indeed, the Emirates has been hailed as one of the most innovatively designed stadiums in recent history and as a consequence has become a major tourist attraction in the capital.

An Emirates tour will bring you to heart of Arsenal Football Club, with exposure to the club’s match day changing rooms along with a walk down the tunnel to the pitch. There are plenty of state-of-the-art facilities to be marvelled at, from the director’s box to the press conference room, not forgetting the Arsenal Museum, with shirts from past heroes and interactive shows outlining the club’s star-studded history in great depth.

Prices range from  £12-£15 for adults and £6-£8 for children under-16, depending on peak and off-peak season. Children under-5 are allowed in for free. Group bookings also available, with tours by Arsenal legends a distinct possibility.

Chelsea – Stamford Bridge

Photo courtesy of Flickr: wkocjan

With billionaire owner Roman Abramovich bringing a whole host of international superstars to Chelsea Football Club, success has surely followed and thus a tour of Stamford Bridge is a great day out for many a football fan.

A trip around Chelsea’s home will offer fans and tourists an unrivalled insight into their history, starting with the Chelsea Museum, an interactive audio-visual treat which acts as a tribute to over 100 years of Chelsea history. Further to that, there are knowledgeable tour guides to walk you through the club’s transition over the years, and into the home dressing room along with the ceremonial walk down the tunnel. In addition, there are even educational classes for those with a vested interest in the behind-the-scenes goings on regarding match-day operations.

Prices vary, with discounts available if pre-booked, but range from £18 for adults, £12 for kids and £54 for a family of four. Under-5s go in free. Kids’ parties can also be arranged subject to confirmation.

Tottenham Hotspur – White Hart Lane

Photo courtesy of Flickr: StewieD

Spurs are a well-established club in the top tier of English football and a tour through White Hart Lane is sure to satisfy even the most fervent and passionate supporter.

You will experience the technical area, the dug outs and the Press auditorium. You will view trophies and iconic items in the museum and hall of fame that illustrate the rich history behind Tottenham Hotspur. Subject to availabilities, you may even be given an access all areas tour by the likes of Pat Jennings.

Prices depend on whether you’re a member or not, generally ranging from £16 for adults to £37 for a family of four.

Fulham – Craven Cottage

Photo courtesy of Flickr: tothe92.co.uk

A now proven Premier League team, Fulham is also London’s oldest football club. They have certainly come a long way from scouring the lower reaches of the football divisions ten years ago, and a tour in and around the stadium will elucidate that fact.   

Stepping into Fulham’s hospitable home will bring you an insight into the club’s history, beginning with a jaunt through its pitch side dug-outs to the box of owner Mohammed Al-Fayed. Afterwards you may take in the team’s changing rooms and facilities and the trophy lounge. The latest addition to the format is a mini-tour of the recently erected statue of Michael Jackson, should you wish to mix things up a bit!

Prices are as follows:

£38 for adults

£19 for children under-12

£9.95 for under-5s

Queen’s Park Rangers – Loftus Road

Photo courtesy of Flickr: KarenSaraGaches

The most recent addition to the Premier League but with glamorous Italian F1 owners to match their newly-found status, QPR is very much a club on the up. The Loftus Road experience takes you into the lesser-seen parts of QPR.

In an hour you will transported down the players’ tunnel, dressing room and dug-out, whilst also experiencing the executive room and QPR boutique. Prices are £10 for adults and £5 for juniors (season ticket holders) and booking times vary every day.

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The Harbour View

If you want to make a proper day of it and get a good lunch (and some excellent real ales) first, The Harbour View, on the seafront, comes highly recommended.

Yates’s, The William Jameson

Two chain pubs – Yates’s in the city centre and The William Jameson Wetherspoons – are also good value for money (and atmosphere).

Sunderland Companions’ Club, The New Democratic Club

Closer to the stadium, The Sunderland Companions’ Club and The New Democratic Club are both very welcoming to away fans and offer an entertaining ambience.

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The Head of Steam

Fans visiting Goodison tend to recommend pubs in Liverpool city centre, rather than those nearer the stadium. Having said that, the pubs nearest Lime Street station are best avoided, with one or two exceptions. The Head of Steam, located at the station itself, is away-friendly and CAMRA-listed. It also has a big screen for matches.

The Thomas Frost

A few pubs closer to the stadium are worth mentioning. As a member of the vast Wetherspoons chain, The Thomas Frost offers a reliable and respectable range of beers, ciders and other drinks. On match days it can be rather busy; queues of 10 minutes or more are common.

The Spellow

The Spellow is a fairly ordinary but pleasant pub with two bars, serving a few bitters and a few lagers. Sneakily, prices go up on match days.

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The Old Bridge

The Old Bridge is one of Blackpool’s better pubs, and comes highly recommended. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is great. It’s also a stone’s throw from the stadium.

The Swift Hound

The Swift Hound in Festival Park is an example to football fans everywhere, with home and away supporters mixing happily.

The Auctioneer

The Auctioneer, near Blackpool South station, is an unremarkable but reliable Wetherspoons: expect cheap beer and decent, cheap food.

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The Wellington

There are quite a few good away-friendly pubs around St Andrew’s, including The Wellington on Bennetts Hill, an award-winning pub with at least 16 ales on at any one time.

The Anchor Inn

Another is The Anchor Inn, a four-time Birmingham CAMRA (www.camra.org.uk) Pub of the Year.

The Briar Rose

There is also The Briar Rose, a perfectly acceptable Wetherspoons with the usual wide selection of drinks.

The Cricketers Arms

For convenience try The Cricketers Arms, the closest pub to the ground for away fans.

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The Arkles

The traditional away pub near Anfield is The Arkles. It pays to get in early as it gets uncomfortably busy after noon.

The Flat Iron

The Flat Iron on Anfield Road is popular too, and only five minutes from the ground. Home fans frequent the pub, but the atmosphere is friendly.

The Thomas Frost, The Spellow

The Thomas Frost and The Spellow, both recommended for fans travelling to Goodison Park, are close to Anfield too.

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The Bradford Inn

The best bet for away fans is The Bradford Inn, although, as you might expect, it is very busy on match days.

Mary D’s Beamish Bar

Mary D’s Beamish Bar doesn’t look like much, but it’s a popular sports bar quite close to the City of Manchester Stadium which has been recommended by away fans in the past.

The Seven Stars

The Seven Stars, a Lloyds No1 Bar (aka Wetherspoons) in the city centre’s Printworks, offers the usual cheap drinks and is only a five-minute taxi ride to the stadium.

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The Bromilow Arms

Like most Premiership football grounds, the majority of pubs in the immediate vicinity are for home supporters only on match days. However, The Bromilow Arms is a bit of gem: located just a few minutes from the Reebok, it offers a good selection of reasonably priced ales, served up by friendly staff. Home and away fans mix quite happily. The only downside is that it can get very busy as it is quite small.

The Barnstormers

Just up the road is The Barnstormers, which has benefited from a recent refurbishment. It is modern, clean and serves good, fairly priced food.

The Beehive

The Beehive, also just a few minutes’ walk away from the stadium, is a Grade II Listed former coach station serving a decent selection of beers. If you fancy staying over, there is a Premier Inn right next door.

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The Fernhurst Lodge

The Fernhurst Lodge is the traditional away pub for football fans, opposite the Darwen end of the stadium. They have a large screen for the football and serve good food.

The Navigation Inn

The Navigation Inn is a good choice for any fans arriving at Mill Hill station, as it is on the way to the stadium. There is a friendly mix of home and away supporters.

The Golden Cup Inn

The Golden Cup Inn can be very busy on match days, but it’s a pleasant, comfortable pub with a village feel.

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The Bartons Arms

Alcohol is not available in the away end at Villa Park, so if you want a drink it’ll have to be outside the ground. Fortunately there are some great pubs not too far away, in particular The Bartons Arms. A 15 minute walk from the ground, it is one of the best pubs in Birmingham, located in a Grade II Listed building. The range of Oakham cask ales is excellent, as is the food.

The Witton Arms

Another option is Witton Arms (formerly The Cap and Gown), which is very accommodating to away fans – on match days, the pub is split in two and away supporters get a dedicated entrance. There is, however, an entry charge of £2.

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