Aveley are based at Parkside and have grown into one of Essex’s stronger non-league clubs. The Millers moved into their modern home in 2017 and have since climbed to Step 2 and competed strongly in the National League South. Their 2026/27 Isthmian Premier campaign brings them back into a familiar regional setting.
Parkside is one of the more modern grounds in the Isthmian Premier. Aveley moved there in 2017 and the stadium was built around a 3G playing surface, modern floodlighting, clubhouse facilities and a compact but tidy spectator layout.
The ground has seated accommodation on both long sides of the pitch. The main side is integrated with the clubhouse, bar, changing rooms and administrative areas, with the roof/overhang helping provide cover. Opposite is another seated stand around the halfway line. Behind the goals are smaller covered standing areas, often described as bus-shelter-style structures, with hard standing and pitchside barriers around the playing area.
For non-league visitors, Parkside feels clean, functional and easy to use rather than old-fashioned or quirky. It has good sightlines, a welcoming clubhouse, and enough cover to make wet-weather visits more comfortable than many grounds at this level. The capacity is generally listed around 3,500, with a little over 400 seats.
Aveley do not usually operate routine segregation for league matches at Parkside, and the club has previously indicated that segregation is only brought in when required. The ground was designed in a way that makes segregation possible, but most Isthmian Premier visitors should expect a shared, mixed-supporter matchday unless a specific fixture is announced otherwise.
For normal unsegregated matches, away supporters enter through the standard turnstiles and can use the seated stands, covered standing areas behind the goals and pitchside rail. The clubhouse and bar are usually part of the general matchday set-up, which is one of the stronger features of Parkside.
If segregation is required for a larger or higher-risk fixture, visiting supporters should follow the away club or Aveley match information. The layout allows sections of the ground and facilities to be managed separately, so entry points and access to the bar/food areas may change for those games.
Use the M25 southbound to the Dartford/Thurrock side, then leave for the A13 and Aveley. Parkside is best approached from the A13 rather than using narrow residential routes through the village.
Cross the Thames at Dartford, then follow the A13 westbound/eastbound as needed for Aveley. Allow for crossing delays before you commit to the final few miles.
Use the A13 from Basildon or Southend direction and leave towards Aveley and Purfleet. The ground is on the edge of Aveley, so keep to the main A-road route until the last turn.
Take the A13 out from east London towards Thurrock, then follow signs for Aveley. Avoid cutting through Rainham or smaller marsh-side roads unless traffic apps show a clear advantage.
Purfleet is the station to use for Aveley. c2c services from London Fenchurch Street, West Ham, Barking, Grays and Southend make this the most realistic railhead.
This entry is for rail planning only; the detailed walking route from the station is listed separately under the same station title.
Leave Purfleet station and head towards Parkside. The route is a long walk north towards Aveley; use main roads and consider a taxi or bus if arriving near kick-off.
Allow around 35 to 45 minutes on foot. Check the latest club or steward information for the correct entrance before travelling, especially for segregated fixtures or evening games.
London City is a good option for east and south-east London or Kent-side fixtures if the flight choice works. The DLR gives a direct link into the London transport network.
For Aveley, this airport makes most sense because London City is on the right side of London for the Thames Gateway and c2c corridor. From the airport, aim for Canning Town, West Ham and Purfleet. Use the DLR to Canning Town, connect to the Jubilee line for West Ham, then c2c to Purfleet. From Purfleet, finish by taxi, bus or a long walk to Parkside.
Stansted is a sensible airport for Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk and north/east London fixtures, with the Stansted Express running towards Tottenham Hale and London Liverpool Street.
For Aveley, this airport makes most sense because Stansted is a practical alternative for Essex-side fixtures if flight times are better. From the airport, aim for London Liverpool Street and Purfleet. Use Stansted Express to Liverpool Street, cross to Fenchurch Street or use Underground connections to West Ham, then c2c to Purfleet.
Ensignbus route 22 is one of the local routes to check for Aveley, Purfleet, Grays and Lakeside-side journeys. It is useful if you arrive by c2c at Purfleet or Grays and want a bus rather than a long walk.
Use it to get close to Aveley village, then finish locally towards Parkside.
Ensignbus 372 is useful around Lakeside, Aveley and the wider Thurrock area depending on current routing. It can help if you are staying around Lakeside or connecting from the retail/bus station area.
Always check the latest Ensignbus times because Thurrock routes are more useful at some times of day than others.
Grays Taxis are a practical local option for Purfleet, Grays, Lakeside and Aveley. They are useful for the final leg from c2c stations to Parkside, especially when bus times do not line up with kick-off.
Lakeside Taxis can be useful if you are staying around the shopping and hotel area at Lakeside or arriving by coach. A taxi from there to Aveley is usually simpler than trying to piece together multiple local buses.
Parkside has matchday parking around the ground when arrangements are in place, and this is normally the first option to check for Aveley. Approach from the A13/Aveley side and follow stewards rather than parking randomly in the village.
Expect a small matchday charge where parking is managed. If there is a larger fixture or event, check Aveley's latest match information before travelling.
Purfleet station parking is a useful fallback if you want a signed car park and are happy to finish by taxi, bus or a long walk to Parkside. It is better than hunting around residential Aveley if you arrive late.
Expect normal station parking charges. This option works best if you are meeting rail travellers or using the c2c corridor.
The Old Ship is a named pub option for Aveley and Thurrock, useful for supporters who want a proper place to aim for before the match rather than just wandering around the ground-side streets. It is a sensible choice for early arrivals who want a town or village pub before moving on to the ground.
Check opening times and any fixture-specific door policy before travelling, especially where the ground sits in a residential area or the fixture is expected to be busy.
Sir Henry's is a named pub option for Aveley and Thurrock, useful for supporters who want a proper place to aim for before the match rather than just wandering around the ground-side streets. It gives a second named pub option if the first choice is too busy or if you are arriving from a different side of town.
Check opening times and any fixture-specific door policy before travelling, especially where the ground sits in a residential area or the fixture is expected to be busy.
Parkside Cafe is a named food option around Aveley and Thurrock, useful if you want something more reliable than grabbing whatever is nearest at kick-off time. It works best for supporters arriving with enough time for a proper meal rather than a rushed stop.
For restaurant-style stops, book ahead or arrive early; for smaller cafes and takeaways, check opening hours around evening fixtures.
Kervan Kitchen Lakeside is a named food option around Aveley and Thurrock, useful if you want something more reliable than grabbing whatever is nearest at kick-off time. It gives another named alternative, useful for groups who want a different style of food before or after the match.
For restaurant-style stops, book ahead or arrive early; for smaller cafes and takeaways, check opening hours around evening fixtures.
Premier Inn Thurrock East is a practical overnight base for an away trip to Aveley and Thurrock. It is included because it is a realistic base for the town or nearby transport corridor rather than a random hotel miles away.
Compare rates before booking because small towns can have limited rooms, while tourist places and larger cities can jump in price around events.
Parkside is straightforward once you are there, but it is not next door to a major railway station, so plan the last part of the journey. Ockendon is commonly used by rail travellers, though it is still a taxi or longer walk away. Drivers will find the ground off Park Lane near Belhus Park.
The club advises that there are just over 200 parking spaces at Parkside on a first-come, first-served basis, with overflow parking sometimes available at Belhus Park. Be careful with park closing times and avoid blocking local roads or residential access.
Inside the ground, the best neutral viewing positions are along either side near the halfway line. The covered areas behind the goals are useful in bad weather but can be busier if vocal supporters gather there. The clubhouse and bars are a big part of the Parkside experience, so arriving early is worthwhile, especially for Saturday fixtures and local games.
Aveley matches at Parkside are commonly available on the gate unless the club announces otherwise. Pay at the turnstiles has been used for many fixtures, and both cash and card have been accepted at previous matches. Online ticketing may also be used for selected fixtures, so check the official Aveley website or club social channels before travelling.
Typical pricing has varied by competition and season, but adult, concession and youth categories are normally offered. Away fans should only rely on an advance allocation if a segregated game is announced; otherwise, visiting supporters usually buy in the same way as home fans.
For neutrals, seating on either side offers the clearest central view. Those wanting more atmosphere should look towards the covered standing areas or the busier clubhouse side. Because the ground is compact, there are few genuinely poor views, although arriving early gives the best choice of seating and covered spots.
Supporters should follow the normal ground rules at Parkside: no pyrotechnics, no offensive or discriminatory behaviour, no pitch encroachment, no throwing objects and no alcohol brought in from outside the ground. Stewards may carry out bag checks or direct supporters to different areas for particular fixtures.
Parkside is a 3G stadium and community facility, so visitors should be especially respectful of the playing surface and surrounding sports complex. Children should be supervised around the pitchside rail and behind-goal standing areas.
If segregation is in place, supporters must remain in the area allocated to them and use the facilities provided for that section. For normal fixtures, movement around the ground is usually relaxed, but supporters should still follow steward instructions and avoid standing in restricted walkways.
Parkside is a modern non-league venue and has better accessibility than many older grounds. The stadium has disabled access, accessible toilets, parking and spectator areas, with hard standing around the pitch and a generally level feel to the main supporter routes.
Wheelchair users should still contact Aveley before travelling if they require a particular viewing position, blue badge parking or assistance on arrival. The on-site car park is useful but limited, and accessible parking arrangements may be easier to manage if the club knows in advance.
For public transport users with mobility needs, the main issue is the distance from the nearest railway station. A taxi from Ockendon or another nearby station may be the most practical option. Once at the stadium, the modern layout should make the matchday experience relatively straightforward.
Aveley do not advertise regular public stadium tours of Parkside. Although the ground is modern and has good facilities, it is still a working non-league stadium and community football venue rather than a stadium-tour attraction.
Anyone interested in a look around for media, community, sponsorship or event purposes should contact the club directly. For ordinary supporters, the best way to see Parkside is to arrive early on matchday and use the clubhouse and spectator areas once the gates are open.
Rainham Marshes RSPB Nature Reserve is a worthwhile extra stop around Aveley and Thurrock if you are making more of the day than just the match. It is one of the more obvious local attractions or landmarks to build into an away day.
Check opening times before travelling, particularly for winter midweek fixtures or attractions with seasonal hours.
Official club website. Use this for club news, fixtures, ticket information, supporter notices and the latest matchday updates.