Nottingham Forest visitor guide (City Ground, Notts Forest), England

The 30,602 capacity City Ground has been the home of Nottingham Forest F.C. since 1898. Both ends were redeveloped in the 1990s giving the stadium an attractive modern look; more recently the Executive Stand was renamed in honour of managerial great Brian Clough. The City Ground is located in the Nottingham suburb of West Bridgford, which although called a suburb is actually outside the City of Nottingham (the river Trent is the boundary line). Despite this, the stadium is still just over a mile from the city centre and is easily accessible. The City Ground is just 300 yards away from Meadow Lane, the home of fellow Nottingham side Notts County F.C. They are the two closest grounds in English football and the second closest in the UK (Scottish clubs Dundee United and Dundee have closer grounds). The City Ground was one of the venues chosen for Euro 96. It was the smallest capacity stadium in the tournament and hosted Group D games between Portugal, Croatia and Turkey.

Visiting supporters are housed in the lower tier of the Bridgford Stand. Home supporters are housed in the tier above, which can lead to an uncomfortable atmosphere during rowdier fixtures, especially local derbies. Despite this, the views of the action are generally very good and the facilities are, as to be expected from a modernised ground, excellent. A trip to the City Ground isn't always the most welcoming of occasions so exercise caution in showing away colours around the ground.

There are a few hotels near the City Ground in the West Bridgford area, but fans looking for accommodation will find a wider choice in the centre of Nottingham. Luckily, the stadiums close proximity to the city centre means that fans can chose a City Ground hotel close to both the stadium and the attractions of Nottingham.

Getting To The City Ground

By Car

The City Ground is located close to the centre of Nottingham and is fairly easy to reach by car. Fans travelling from the South on the M1 should exit the motorway at Junction 24 and take the A453 towards Nottingham. Follow signs for the A52 (Grantham) until you reach the Gamston island, here turn left onto the A6011 (Radcliffe Road) and you will soon see the ground. Fans coming from the North should leave the M1 at Junction 26 taking the A610 towards Nottingham. When you reach the Nottingham Ring Road, take the Ring Road South. Keep down this road and it will eventually become the A52, follow signs for the A52 (Grantham) and follow directions as above.

Fans looking for somewhere to park shouldn't encounter any problems; here is a large car park at the City Ground plus match day parking is available close to the nearby cricket ground. Street parking can also be found in the surrounding streets. If none of these options are available than there is always plenty of parking a short walk away in the city centre.

By Public Transport

Nottingham's train station is at the southern end of the city centre and is just under a mile from the ground as the crow flies. The journey to the County Ground on foot is straightforward and should take around 15 minutes. When leaving the train station, take the main exit and turn to your left. Turn left again just after the train station into Queen's Road, follow this road and turn right at the T-junction into London Road. Head down London Road, soon you will reach the river; the City Ground will be visible just over the river to your left.

Fans that don't fancy a stroll can catch a bus to the ground from the city centre. Routes 6 and 11 pass the stadium regularly; they can be caught from Collin Street or Carrington Street, both are just north of the train station near the Broadmarsh centre. Taxis are also available from outside the station.

Here are football stadiums close to Nottingham Forest: