Watford visitor guide | Vicarage Road guide

Vicarage Road has been the home of Watford F.C. since 1922. The club has shared Vicarage Road with Saracens rugby union club since 1997. The capacity of the ground is 19,920 though there are current plans to expand this to 23,500. Despite two of the stadium's four stands being redeveloped during the 1990s, Vicarage Road has retained a 'traditional' feel to it. The oldest stand in the ground, the Main Stand, still retains the features of its 1922 original. The result is a stadium that is a curious mix of old and new.

Visiting supporters are housed in the Vicarage Road Stand where about 2,200 seats are made available for fans of the away team. The stand is shared with home supporters, though of course there is segregation. The atmosphere at Vicarage Road is generally good-natured unless you happen to be at a match against bitter rival Luton Town. The Vicarage Road Stand provides a good view of the action and the facilities are generally good although the half time crush on the concourses can be unpleasant. Match favourites such as pies and burgers are available inside the ground.

The stadium is located close to Watford town centre so fans looking for accommodation will have no trouble finding a hotel near Vicarage Road.

Getting To Vicarage Road

By Car

Fans travelling to Vicarage Road by car will find little to no parking near the ground; the streets close to the ground are a permit only parking zone and the General Hospital no longer offers match day spaces. It is best to park in one of the town centre car parks and walk to the ground. Most car parks in the town centre are no more than ten minutes away on foot. Selecting a Vicarage Road hotel with a car park would be a good way to avoid any match day parking hassle.

By Public Transport

The closest train station to Vicarage Road is Watford High Street. This is served by a local service from London Euston and is a 5-10 minute walk from the ground. It is likely that most fans travelling to Watford by train will arrive at Watford Junction railway station; it is further away from the ground but still walkable. Exit the station and head up the main road opposite (Clarendon Road). Keep going over the ring road and up to the High Street. Go left up the High Street and take the right into Market Street. Head up Market Street and turn left into Whippendell Road, Vicarage Road will be the next right; go down here for the ground. The journey should take 20 minutes on foot. Fans that don't fancy the walk should take a taxi or look out for the buses that run between Watford Junction and Vicarage Road (General Hospital).

Watford also has a stop on the London Underground's Metropolitan Line; the station is about a 15-minute walk from the ground. It should be noted that the station is in zone six.