This guide covers several options and issues we explored; it’s not a definitive protocol, but it may assist with planning your journey.
If you haven’t been before, then it’s worth a read; if you have, then it’s a refresher, but above all, it’s a reminder that the ground is down a narrow road, which is fiendish to navigate both ways!
Forest Green Rovers play at…
The New Lawn, Another Way, Nailsworth, GL6 0FG.
The New Lawn is a fully cashless stadium.
You will need a card to purchase any food or souvenir.
Have you got your ticket? If not, click HERE. Like other grounds, you have to register with the club first.
The Guide.
We have broken this guide down into two parts: the main journey by car or train, including the station. The second part is for when you are near the ground and in Nailsworth itself.
We have outlined our route, which begins in Rochdale and utilises the M6 and M5.
AA Route finder says – 2 hours 58 mins – 166.0 miles. If you use the M6 and M5 (map below), Time does not take into account road works on the M5 and anywhere else (Live Traffic Information is covered below)
If you go via the M1 (see map below) – 3 hours 45 mins – 215.0 miles (from Rochdale). If you are an exile and live on the east side, it will be quicker. We cover this in detail below, where we specify additional routes that non-Rochdale-based Daleys may use.
Above, for reference, the map shows the M1 Route mentioned above.
Using the M6 route, our preferred, and assuming all can find the M60/62, the full directions can be found by clicking HERE
For those who prefer a printed version, it is included below.
At junction 12, exit towards M62/M6/Liverpool, Continue onto M62
Take the M6 S/M6 N exit towards Birmingham/Chester/M56/Preston
Slight left M6 (S) S onto the slip road to Birmingham, Take the slip road onto M6
At junction 11A, take the M6 exit to Birmingham/M5, Continue onto M6 (signs for Birmingham S/M5 SW)
At junction 8, take the M5 exit to Birmingham(West)/Birmingham(South)/West Bromwich
Continue onto M5, Parts of this road may be closed at certain times or on certain days
At junction 13, take the A419 exit to Stroud/Dursley, At Stroudwater Interchange, take the 1st exit onto A419
At the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Spring Hill,, Continue onto Alkerton Rd
At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Bath Rd, continue onto Frocester Hill
Continue onto Cotswold Way, Cotswold Way turns slightly left and becomes Bath Rd
Turn left, Turn left onto Front St
Turn right onto Tinkley Lane, continue onto Nympsfield
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Another Way
The destination will be on the right
Arrive: Forest Green Rovers Football Club, Another Way, Forest Green, Nailsworth, Stroud, UK
- Section time: 2 hours 58 mins, Total time: 2 hours 58 mins
You will also need to factor in weather conditions and road works, which we address further down.
Exiles Travel. For Car Travellers from London (using ‘London’ as the keyword), click here. (2 hours 18 mins – 107.4 miles)
From Bristol. Click HERE Via A46 – 43 mins – 29.5 miles
From Southampton, click HERE. Via A34 – 1 hour 50 mins – 92.9 miles
From Norwich. Click HERE Via A14 – 4 hours 2 mins – 225.6 miles
HERE From Sheffield. Via M1 and M5 – 2 hours 55 mins – 161.5 miles
PARKING (MAKE SURE YOU READ THIS!)
Parking at the stadium is minimal and is reserved for blue badge holders and hospitality guests. The club encourages you to leave your car at home, share a ride, or use public transport where possible. Please avoid parking along Tinkley Lane to approach the stadium, as it is a single-track road that often becomes congested on matchdays. If you are travelling by train and expecting a taxi to take you directly there, it cannot do so because of the limited access.
So where do you park?
Park and Ride – All fans are advised, especially first-time visitors, to use the Park and Ride facility at Renishaw, South Entrance, Bath Rd, Stroud GL5
The P+R opens as 12:30pm for 3pm kick-offs, and the service costs £5 per car. If you have what three words as a direction finder, then use: animated, cork, velocity.
School Car Park – Nailsworth Primary School’s car park next to the ground can be used as a car park on match days. Visitors of FGR can pre-book a car parking space or purchase a season-long pass. To enquire or book your space please contact reception@fgr.co.uk or call 0333 123 1889.
Street Parking.
A look at our map indicates that The New Lawn is located near an estate in Nailsworth, which seems to be close to the ground. However, it’s important to note that this estate is not an entrance to the ground. Additionally, please be cautious if you choose to park there, as locals may become understandably annoyed. Make sure to check for any local football parking restrictions before leaving your vehicle.
Parking Links that may be of use.
This may be useful for those looking for general parking. HERE
By Train. (We used Manchester Piccadilly as our starting station, adapt as needed. The destination station is Stroud.
Stroud Station is 5.2 miles from the ground; a bus service runs on weekdays only. We’ve included taxi options below, which will get you close to the match, giving you plenty of flexibility—consider your plans for drinks and dining afterwards, and you’re all set!
Here are the Train travel booking sites if you need.
- National Rail
- The Train Line
- Many travel sites exist online, so it’s worth exploring. Our journey started from Manchester Piccadilly Station.
How to get to the ground from Stroud Station by Taxi, (though we appreciate this may involve a diversion to a local hostelry in the Town itself! We help with that further down the pages.)
Wonky’s Wheels: Phone +44 1453 767 878
Taxi 247 Cirencester: Website taxi247cirencester.com
Phone+44 7735 602 648
Stroud Valley Taxis: Phone +44 1453 753 138
Stroud Taxi: Website stroudtaxi.co.uk: Phone+44 1453 750 211
For a complete list, click HERE
Pubs you may want to try in Carlisle
CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW, IT’S LIVE,
Then click each red section for information on each pub.
If you want to view it via another device, click HERE
So on to the ground and the match itself.
An alternative to the above may be “The Nympsfield Club“. This is recommended by a few who have used it last year, only about a 5-minute drive from the ground (Remember to check parking) and is well worth a shout., Post code is GL10 3UA, the address is Church St, Nympsfield, Stonehouse, GL10 3UA
The Ground
The New Lawn has been home to Forest Green Rovers since 2006, having previously played at The Lawn Ground for 116 years. Whilst it is modern looking, The New Lawn is one of the smallest stadiums in the whole football league. The club is currently exploring plans to build a new 5,000 capacity stadium, with room to be expanded to 10,000.
The stadium has a number of eco-friendly features which makes it one of the most environmentally sustainable stadiums in the world. For example, the pitch collects rainwater which is then used around the stadium, and the club also uses a solar powered robotic lawn mower to cut the pitch.
Away fans visiting The New Lawn are located in the West Terrace,
Ticket Office
Where is the Ticket Office?
You’ll spot the ticket office as soon as you come through the main gates to The New Lawn. You can collect pre-ordered tickets here, and buy tickets on the day of the match. Our stadium is now cashless, all areas of The New Lawn accept card and contactless payments.
Away fans are located on the West side of the stadium, primarily on an open terrace that accommodates around 1,000 spectators. In the summer of 2018, a small temporary covered area was added towards the South Stand, which can seat 200 fans. While this setup is not ideal, it does provide some shelter on an otherwise uncovered terrace and may help away fans create more noise from that side.
Access to the away terrace is located at the back of the stadium, accessible from the main entrance; however, the access paths are somewhat narrow. Entrance to the stadium is through electronic turnstiles, requiring fans to scan their tickets for admission.
If you’re looking to buy a meat pie, beef burger, or hot dog at the venue, you’ll be disappointed. The club has decided not to sell any meat products and will instead offer only vegan options. The menu includes veggie burgers (£3.30), Q-pies filled with Quorn (£3.50), chips with curry sauce (£3.20), chip butties (£3.20), and plain chips (£2.70).
The stadium features several eco-friendly elements, making it one of the most environmentally sustainable stadiums in the world. For example, the pitch collects rainwater, which is then used around the stadium. The club also utilises a solar-powered robotic lawn mower to maintain the pitch.
Fanzone
The fanzone is open from 12:30 PM, welcoming both home and away supporters to enjoy the event.
The Fanzone is just in front of the away turnstiles. This is for both home and away fans and includes the BrewDog bar (soft drinks and alcohol), vegan street food venues, barista coffee and live music. There are no pubs or cafes or shops or restaurants near the ground.
The Drum. Mixed reports (anecdotal) on this, with some being told the stewards will stop it, though we understand drums have been taken in before; be aware it probably will be disallowed.
Onward Journey, be it your hotel or the slog home.
The return journey, even if it’s the next day or two, will involve roadworks. The M5 is frequently affected by these works and has speed restrictions. Depending on the time of day, there may also be numerous diversions, particularly when transitioning from the M5 to the M6.
If you have a Garmin satnav that does not come with live traffic updates, you can download the Garmin Drive app to your phone or any other device connected to the web. This app connects to your satnav via Bluetooth, provided your device is Bluetooth compatible. It offers accurate traffic updates and can be very useful. You can read more about the app and download it for free here.
If you have a TomTom sat nav, their app is available from the usual download stores for Apple or Android.
For up-to-date traffic advice and information, you can use...
RAC Travel News HERE
National Highways ENGLAND. HERE This one is really good as it shows if it’s slow, stopped, diverted, or give up!
If you’re going to WALES, then click HERE and use it in conjunction with the England traffic guide.
National Highways has a good set of guides that are live and updated, see HERE
Finally, Traffic England has a handy link where you can check any part of the traffic network.
It’s worth a look before you travel, click HERE.
We wish all Daleys and family a safe and enjoyable trip there and back.
