Watford – A Newcastle United away fan’s guide.
Posted on February 23rd, 2010 | 22 Comments |
It’s been about 5 years since I was last at Vicarage Road but since then I hear that the ground is under redevelopment. I’m unsure whether this has been competed yet but it shouldn’t pose an issue for the travelling fans.
How to get there.
We’ll begin the 260 mile trip by heading south down the A1, joining the M1 and continue heading south all the way down to J5 (A4008). Leave at J5 and head towards the town centre. If you can’t see the ground then just follow signs for ‘Watford General Hospital’ as the gorund is pretty much right next to it.
It is a straight-forward journey despite it’s length and shouldn’t provide any problems apart from a couple of strecthes of roadworks with average 50mph speed-checks.
Somewhere to park?
Parking is pretty straight forward. The ground is not far from the town centre so you can use any of the shopping car parks, for a price of course. Alternatively there are some private car parks in industrial units aswell as school that charges £5 to park, all near the ground.
How about the train?
Not one of my favourite methods of transport but should you choose it then the chances are you will go into London Kings Cross and come back out again. Watford Junction is the station you’ll need for Vicarage Road which is about a 15 minute walk away.
Where to drink?
As mentioned previously, the town centre is only a short walk away so there are bound to be some boozers there that welcome away fans. A bit closer to the ground is a pub called ‘The Oddfellows’ which welcomes away fans. The Red Lion outside the ground is a pub to avoid so I’ve been told. Alcohol is unfortunately not served in the away end.
A bite to eat?
Obviously food will be available in the ground but the small councourse area means it may be difficult to gain access to the serving hatch, especially if we sell out our away allocation. There used to be a chip shop about a couple of minutes away from the ground that I remember was decent and reasonably priced.
Overall I hope those that are going enjoy their day out. Watford aren’t noted for any real trouble and the ones I have come across have always been pretty friendly.
Gaining 3 points and a rare away win would be nice!
NUFCBlog Author: toonsy
toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.
If anyone is going to this game I can suggest a nice country pub near Hemel Hempstead railway station called the Fishery Inn. Its situated over the road from the station and is right on the banks of the Grand Union canal. Very picturesque indeed and used to be one of my locals. The station is only 100 yards away so you can park your car there have a few beers then get the train into Watford, its only three stops, Apsley, Abbots Langley, Kings Langley then Watford, and its only a half mile or so walk from Watford station to the ground.
Hemel Hempstead is right beside the M1 so its a straight run in the car and the railway station is on the main Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow line, so the trains should be fairly regular, just make sure you dont get on an express train where the next stop is Euston station in London!
A word of warning, if going by car you will have to negotiate the “magic roundabout in Hemel hempstead. Its a large roundabout with several mini roundabouts on the road around it. Its easy if you realise you can go left or right round the main roundabout, but normal rules apply to the mini roundabouts. Watch out for the ducks who regularly walk across the roundabout and road rather than use the stream and tunnel underneath the road!