Chatham Town are based at the Bauvill Stadium and carry a proud Medway football identity. The Chats have enjoyed a strong modern rise through the Southern Counties East and Isthmian structure, backed by growing crowds and a renewed sense of ambition around one of Kent’s historic clubs.
Chatham Town play at The Bauvill Stadium on Maidstone Road, a long-established Kent non-league ground with a traditional enclosed feel and a capacity usually listed at around 5,000.
The ground has a strong main-stand and terrace character. One of its most distinctive features is the large covered terrace behind one goal, while the main stand provides seated accommodation along the side. There is hard standing around the pitch, a sizeable bar area just inside the ground, and food provision close to the spectator areas.
The Bauvill has more of a proper old football-ground atmosphere than many modern Step 3 venues. It can feel compact and lively when Chatham draw a good crowd, especially around the home terrace and bar side. The location just off Maidstone Road also makes it a fairly straightforward ground to find by car, with the entrance reached via Bournville Road.
Chatham Town do not usually need full segregation for ordinary league fixtures, but they do have fixture-specific arrangements when required. For some larger or more sensitive matches, away supporters have been directed to use Turnstile C, with stewards on hand and bag searches carried out on entry.
A useful ground-specific point is that the Maidstone Road / Taray Group Stand at the changing-room end has been reserved solely for home supporters following previous incidents and FA advice. For normal matches, other areas and facilities at The Bauvill are generally available to supporters of both teams unless the club announces otherwise.
Away fans should check the match preview before travelling. If segregation is not in place, visiting supporters can usually use the main spectator areas, bar and hard standing. If segregation is used, away supporters should follow the advertised turnstile, stewarding and facility arrangements rather than assuming free movement around the ground.
Use the M2 eastbound and leave for Chatham/Rochester, then follow the A2 or Medway town-centre routes. The ground sits in an urban Medway setting, so expect slow local roads near kick-off.
Use the A229/M20 connection towards Chatham, then follow Medway signs. Avoid the tightest residential hills unless directed by parking plans.
Come along the A2 from the Sittingbourne/Gillingham side and follow Chatham signs. The Medway towns can be busy even outside football traffic.
Use the M2 from the London/Dartford side, leaving for Rochester and Chatham. Plan the river-crossing and town-centre section carefully because it is the part that usually costs time.
Chatham is the station to use for Chatham Town. Southeastern services from London Victoria, St Pancras, Rochester, Gillingham and the Medway towns make this the best station.
This entry is for rail planning only; the detailed walking route from the station is listed separately under the same station title.
Leave Chatham station and head towards the Bauvill Stadium. The route is a walk out from the station towards Maidstone Road, climbing through urban streets towards the ground.
Allow around 20 to 30 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 Chatham Town, this airport makes most sense because City Airport is east London and suits Medway-side travel. From the airport, aim for Woolwich Arsenal, Abbey Wood or central London, then Chatham. Use the DLR/Elizabeth line to connect into Abbey Wood or central London, then Southeastern/Thameslink towards Chatham. It is a good airport if you want to avoid crossing all of London.
Gatwick is often the most useful airport for south London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent trips because the airport has its own mainline station with Thameslink, Southern, Gatwick Express and Great Western Railway connections.
For Chatham Town, this airport makes most sense because Gatwick has a wider flight network and rail into London for the Medway lines. From the airport, aim for London Victoria or St Pancras, then Chatham. Take Gatwick Express/Southern/Thameslink into London, then connect to Southeastern services for Chatham. It is not as direct as City Airport but gives more flight choice.
Arriva 101 is one of the specific routes to check for Chatham, Rochester and the Bauvill Stadium. It is included because it serves the town, nearby station corridor or the side of the town used for the ground, making it more useful than a vague 'local bus' recommendation.
Check the operator's live timetable before travelling, especially for evening fixtures, bank holidays and Sunday games.
Arriva 176 is one of the specific routes to check for Chatham, Rochester and the Bauvill Stadium. It is included because it serves the town, nearby station corridor or the side of the town used for the ground, making it more useful than a vague 'local bus' recommendation.
Check the operator's live timetable before travelling, especially for evening fixtures, bank holidays and Sunday games.
Vokes Taxis is a named local taxi/private-hire option for Chatham, Rochester and the Bauvill Stadium. It is useful for station transfers, hotel pickups and the final leg where the nearest rail stop is not right beside the ground.
Pre-booking is sensible for midweek matches and for grounds in villages or residential areas where taxis may not be waiting outside at full-time.
ABC Taxis Medway is a named local taxi/private-hire option for Chatham, Rochester and the Bauvill Stadium. It is useful for station transfers, hotel pickups and the final leg where the nearest rail stop is not right beside the ground.
Pre-booking is sensible for midweek matches and for grounds in villages or residential areas where taxis may not be waiting outside at full-time.
Chatham station parking is a practical option if you want a clear landmark and are happy with the walk or short taxi up towards the Bauvill Stadium. It avoids the tightest ground-side residential roads.
Expect normal station parking charges. The route from the station climbs, so factor that in if walking.
Town-centre car parks around The Brook and Chatham High Street can work well if you want food or pubs before the match. They leave a walk or taxi to the ground, but they are more organised than street-hunting near the stadium.
Use normal Medway council tariffs and check evening rules. Arrive early because town-centre traffic can be slow.
The Dead Pigeon is a named pub option for Chatham and Rochester, 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.
The Command House is a named pub option for Chatham and Rochester, 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.
Confucius Chinese Restaurant is a named food option around Chatham and Rochester, 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.
Selale Restaurant Chatham is a named food option around Chatham and Rochester, 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.
Bridgewood Manor Hotel is a practical overnight base for an away trip to Chatham and Rochester. 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.
The Bauvill Stadium is straightforward by road. From the M2, leave at junction 3 and follow signs for Chatham and the town centre. The ground is on Maidstone Road, with the car park entrance off Bournville Road opposite the petrol station area.
Chatham station is the nearest rail option, but the walk is not as short as at some Isthmian grounds, so check the route before travelling or use a taxi if time, weather or mobility is a concern. The ground sits close to residential streets, so park considerately and do not block access.
Inside the stadium, the covered terrace is the best place for atmosphere, while the main stand is the best option for a seated view. The bar just inside the turnstiles is useful, but it can become busy at larger fixtures. For big matches, arrive early because Chatham crowds can create queues at the gates, bar and food areas.
Chatham Town sell tickets online through the club website for many fixtures, and pay-on-the-gate arrangements may also be used depending on the match. Recent league pricing has commonly sat around £15 adults, £10 concessions and £5 under-16s, but prices can vary by competition and season.
For some matches, especially higher-profile games, away supporters may have specific ticket instructions or entry via a particular turnstile. Visiting fans should check Chatham Town, the away club and any match-specific supporter guide before travelling.
Under-16s may be required to attend with a responsible adult for certain fixtures. Neutrals wanting the best view should use the main stand, while those wanting atmosphere should stand near the larger covered terrace, unless that area is reserved for home supporters on the day.
Chatham Town publish formal ground regulations and entry to The Bauvill Stadium is treated as acceptance of those regulations. Supporters must have paid the relevant admission charge and may be asked for proof of age or identity where a concession is claimed.
The club, police or stewards may refuse entry or eject anyone breaching regulations. Normal football rules apply: no pyrotechnics, no pitch encroachment, no throwing objects, no discriminatory or abusive behaviour, no sitting on perimeter rails and no behaviour that risks safety.
Supporters are also asked to respect the club facilities and local neighbours by leaving quietly, using bins, avoiding foul or abusive language and parking considerately. Bag searches may be carried out for certain fixtures, especially when away-supporter arrangements are in place.
Chatham Town do not publish a detailed accessibility guide for every match, so supporters with specific needs should contact the club before travelling. The Bauvill is a traditional ground with a mix of stand seating, terrace areas and hard standing, so the best viewing position may depend on the fixture and crowd size.
The ground has car parking close to the stadium entrance, which may help disabled supporters, but spaces should not be assumed for busy fixtures. Contacting the club in advance is recommended for blue badge parking or step-free entry advice.
Wheelchair users are most likely to find pitchside hard standing the most practical option. The main stand and terraces may involve steps or busier access routes. If segregation is in operation, disabled visiting supporters should ask in advance which entrance and viewing area will be available.
Chatham Town do not advertise regular public stadium tours of The Bauvill Stadium. The venue is a working non-league football ground and community sports facility rather than a stadium-tour attraction.
Supporters wanting to see more of the ground should arrive early on matchday when turnstiles, the bar and spectator areas are open. Any special access for sponsors, media, community groups or private arrangements should be made directly with the club.
Chatham Historic Dockyard is a worthwhile extra stop around Chatham and Rochester 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.