Leave M6 at Junction 31 and follow signs Left for Preston. Go up a steep hill (often a police speed trap on the hill, so stick to 30) and follow the road down to a mini roundabout (speed camera by the BP garage on the left). At the roundabout with the Hesketh Arms turn right into Blackpool Road. Go straight on over three sets of lights and just before a fourth set, the ground appears set slightly back on the left. Parking is mainly in the streets surrounding the ground. Thanks to Ian, an exiled Birmingham City fan in Preston for the directions.
Preston North End (Deepdale) Directions and Information
Leave M6 at Junction 31 and follow signs Left for Preston. Go up a steep hill (often a police speed trap on the hill, so stick to 30) and follow the road down to a mini roundabout (speed camera by the BP garage on the left). At the roundabout with the Hesketh Arms turn right into Blackpool Road. Go straight on over three sets of lights and just before a fourth set, the ground appears set slightly back on the left. Parking is mainly in the streets surrounding the ground. Thanks to Ian, an exiled Birmingham City fan in Preston for the directions.
Mike Holroyd adds; 'as you turn right at the Hesketh Arms roundabout into Blackpool Road and then pass a park on the left there is now another speed camera to watch out for. The Police also sometimes set up another mobile speed trap on the forecourt of the fire station on the left, so watch your speed. Plus as you near the ground don't be tempted to park up on the grass verges, you are likely to find after the game that you have been given a ticket for it!'
Kate Abbatt suggests; 'If you want to avoid the pre and post-match traffic, here's a handy tip to avoid it. Instead of leaving the M6 at Junction 31, carry on to Junction 31a signposted, Preston East and Longridge. (This is a limited junction as you can only leave northbound and join southbound.) Keep in the right hand lane and go across the roundabout signposted Preston east, football ground and museum.
Across the next roundabout (Anderton Arms on your right) and then left at the next one. At the next lights, go right onto Watling Street. You will go past the White Hart and a row of shops. At next lights by Fulwood Barracks, keep in the left hand lane. You can either park in Sumners, (turn left straight after the lights) or follow the road up to the big junction at Blackpool Road and the ground is on your left and take your chances with on-street parking. Sumners is better as you are the right side of the ground to get away quick after the game. Blackpool Road gets badly snarled up after games and the lights don't help it'.
Where to Drink?
David Higgerson informs me; 'one of the best pubs for away fans is the Toy Soldier, on the Deepdale retail park, just off the Blackpool Road (A5085). The retail park & pub are on the right just before Deepdale (look for the McDonalds sign) if you come off the M6 at junction 31'. The pub is quite large and is a 'Big Steak House' type establishment and on my visit the pub, like a lot of these establishments lacked atmosphere. However it was predominantly away fans that seemed to be present.
Across the next roundabout (Anderton Arms on your right) and then left at the next one. At the next lights, go right onto Watling Street. You will go past the White Hart and a row of shops. At next lights by Fulwood Barracks, keep in the left hand lane. You can either park in Sumners, (turn left straight after the lights) or follow the road up to the big junction at Blackpool Road and the ground is on your left and take your chances with on-street parking. Sumners is better as you are the right side of the ground to get away quick after the game. Blackpool Road gets badly snarled up after games and the lights don't help it'.
Where to Drink?
David Higgerson informs me; 'one of the best pubs for away fans is the Toy Soldier, on the Deepdale retail park, just off the Blackpool Road (A5085). The retail park & pub are on the right just before Deepdale (look for the McDonalds sign) if you come off the M6 at junction 31'. The pub is quite large and is a 'Big Steak House' type establishment and on my visit the pub, like a lot of these establishments lacked atmosphere. However it was predominantly away fans that seemed to be present.
A better bet probably is The Sumners, just up the Tom Finney Way (used to be Deepdale Rd) from the ground. A good friendly atmosphere, with both home and away supporters mixing freely (although note that away fans are not admitted when there is a local derby). There is a good sized beer garden & car park at the pub. Sometimes the pub does charge for parking but this can be redeemed against a purchase at the bar. Good food is available and children are allowed in. James Pritchett adds to get to the Sumners; 'Make sure you go towards Sainsburys and away from the Town Centre and it should take five minutes. As you go past Sainsburys turn right at the lights and it is half way up the hill, opposite another pub called the Garrison. It should be full, but friendly. The Garrison is on the opposite side of the road and has recently been refurbished. The pub welcome a mix of away and home support and are friendly towards families. It serves Theakstons on draught.'
Paul Billington adds; 'In all honesty visiting fans should avoid town centre pubs simply because the police will move you on quickly if they see you and most pubs will refuse to serve away fans. If you arrive by train I would recommend the Vic and Station not for the decor but simply convenience. Another pub worth considering is The White Hart on Watling Road (approx. 500 yards east of Sumner's and the Garrison, up past Fulwood Barracks). It is another Scottish & Newcastle pub with "Sizzling Platters" and other such delights of an inexpensive and good quality menu. A good alternative if the others prove too busy. Ample car parking and children welcome'. Otherwise alcohol is served within the ground.
What's it like for Visting Supporters?
Away fans are housed in the modern Bill Shankly Stand at one end of the pitch. Normally the allocation for away fans is approximately half of this stand (3,000 seats) and it is shared with home supporters. However for teams with a large away support, then the whole end can be allocated, raising the allocation to 6,000.
What's it like for Visting Supporters?
Away fans are housed in the modern Bill Shankly Stand at one end of the pitch. Normally the allocation for away fans is approximately half of this stand (3,000 seats) and it is shared with home supporters. However for teams with a large away support, then the whole end can be allocated, raising the allocation to 6,000.
The views of the playing action and facilities within this stand are excellent. The stand is particularly steep, meaning that fans are kept relatively close to the pitch. On the concourse there are TV's by the refreshment serving areas showing the game live and with the bars being open during the game, this is too much of a temptation for some. There is a wide range of food available including bacon rolls, roll over hot dogs, burgers and even vegetarian 'butter' pies. I particularly enjoyed my last visit as the fans, stewards and even police all seemed to be fairly friendly and there was a good atmosphere being generated within the ground.