Cray Wanderers are one of the oldest football clubs in the world and now play at Flamingo Park. The Wands spent many years groundsharing before moving into their own modern home, giving the historic club a new base for Isthmian Premier football in south-east London.
Cray Wanderers play at Flamingo Park in Chislehurst, a significant venue for the club because it ended decades without a permanent home. The ground sits directly off the A20 Sidcup By-Pass and forms part of the Flamingo Park Sports and Leisure site.
The stadium is modern and compact, built to meet Step 3 requirements. Early project information described around 250 covered seats in a stand down one side, with covered standing behind the seating, while ground reports since opening describe a seated stand of roughly 300 seats, some covered standing and terrace provision behind a goal. The site also includes the clubhouse, bar, fan-zone feel and wider leisure facilities.
Flamingo Park does not feel like an old town-centre non-league ground. It is more of a modern sports-complex venue with a 3G pitch, parking on site, and extra facilities such as the bar, hall, crazy golf and driving range nearby. It is easy by road but needs a little planning by public transport.
Segregation is not expected to be routine for Cray Wanderers league fixtures at Flamingo Park, but the ground is capable of hosting away supporters in a managed section if a fixture requires it. Some away guides describe a designated away area for particular matches, so supporters should always check the fixture information.
For normal unsegregated fixtures, away fans can usually enter through the standard ground entrance and use the seated stand, covered standing areas, terrace and pitchside rail. The clubhouse and food/drink facilities are normally part of the shared matchday experience unless the club announces otherwise.
If segregation is in place, visiting supporters should follow the published guide from Cray or the away club. The ground entrance is directly off the A20, with the car park reached after turning into the site, so allow extra time if stewards are directing different supporter groups to separate routes.
Use the A20 or M25/A20 corridor towards Sidcup and Orpington, then follow signs for the Flamingo Park/Chislehurst side. Keep to the main roads because the final suburban network is fiddly.
Approach via Bromley, Orpington or the A224 depending on your start point. South-east London roads are slower than they look, so do not leave the last few miles too late.
Use the A20 westbound from Swanley/Maidstone side and then cut towards Sidcup/Chislehurst. This avoids a deeper route through Bromley town centre.
Use the South Circular/A20 corridor towards Sidcup. Once off the main road, watch for residential restrictions and sports-club access roads.
New Eltham is the station to use for Cray Wanderers. Southeastern Sidcup line services from London Bridge, Charing Cross and Cannon Street make this one of the better railheads.
This entry is for rail planning only; the detailed walking route from the station is listed separately under the same station title.
Chislehurst is the station to use for Cray Wanderers. Southeastern services via Grove Park and the Chislehurst line can also work depending on your starting point.
This entry is for rail planning only; the detailed walking route from the station is listed separately under the same station title.
Leave New Eltham station and head towards Flamingo Park. The route is a fairly long suburban walk towards Flamingo Park, best checked on a map before setting off.
Allow around 30 to 40 minutes on foot. Check the latest club or steward information for the correct entrance before travelling, especially for segregated fixtures or evening games.
Leave Chislehurst station and head towards Flamingo Park. The route is a longer walk towards the A20 and Flamingo Park; a taxi is sensible for evening fixtures.
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 Cray Wanderers, this airport makes most sense because City Airport is the most convenient London airport for south-east London if flights line up. From the airport, aim for Woolwich Arsenal, Abbey Wood or Lewisham, then New Eltham. Use DLR/Elizabeth line connections into south-east London, then Southeastern services or a taxi towards New Eltham/Chislehurst and Flamingo Park.
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 Cray Wanderers, this airport makes most sense because Gatwick is often cheaper and gives a rail route via London Bridge. From the airport, aim for London Bridge, then New Eltham or Chislehurst. Take Thameslink/Southern to London Bridge, then Southeastern to the Sidcup or Chislehurst line. From there, use the walking route or short taxi.
London Buses 160 is one of the specific routes to check for New Eltham, Chislehurst and Flamingo Park. 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.
London Buses 233 is one of the specific routes to check for New Eltham, Chislehurst and Flamingo Park. 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.
Sidcup Cars is a named local taxi/private-hire option for New Eltham, Chislehurst and Flamingo Park. 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.
Data Cars is a named local taxi/private-hire option for New Eltham, Chislehurst and Flamingo Park. 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.
Flamingo Park has on-site or venue parking arrangements, and this is the obvious first option if the club confirms matchday access. Follow signs for the sports complex and stewards on arrival.
Expect a managed parking arrangement rather than a large free-for-all. Check the latest Cray Wanderers match information for bigger fixtures.
New Eltham station parking is useful if you want a signed car park and a bus, taxi or longer walk towards Flamingo Park. It can be easier than trying to find a space in the residential streets around Chislehurst/Sidcup.
Expect normal station parking charges. This option is most practical for early arrivals.
The Bickley Arms is a named pub option for Chislehurst, Sidcup and New Eltham, 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 Daylight Inn is a named pub option for Chislehurst, Sidcup and New Eltham, 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.
Due Amici Chislehurst is a named food option around Chislehurst, Sidcup and New Eltham, 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.
Sophie's Choice Sidcup is a named food option around Chislehurst, Sidcup and New Eltham, 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 London Sidcup is a practical overnight base for an away trip to Chislehurst, Sidcup and New Eltham. 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.
Flamingo Park is very convenient by car because it is directly off the A20 Sidcup By-Pass and has parking on the grounds. On arrival, supporters should follow the entrance into the site and then the car park directions. For busier fixtures, arrive early because the wider leisure site can also be active.
By train, New Eltham is one of the more practical options, but it is still around a 20-minute walk depending on route. The walk involves heading towards the A20 and using crossings or a footbridge, so check the route before travelling, especially for evening games.
The ground has more facilities around it than many non-league venues. There is a clubhouse/bar, food provision, and leisure activities on the same site including crazy golf and a driving range. For the best view, use the seated stand or central standing positions. For atmosphere, follow where the Cray support gathers around the covered standing or fan-zone side.
Cray Wanderers use online ticketing for many fixtures and advance purchase is usually the safest option. Recent match guides have listed prices around Adults £15, Concessions £10 and U13-U16s £5, but prices should always be checked for the specific fixture and season.
Pay on the gate may be available for many Step 3 matches, but supporters should not assume this for bigger games, cup ties or fixtures where segregation is expected. Check the club website, ticketing platform and social media before travelling.
Away supporters usually buy in the same way as home supporters unless an away allocation is announced. Neutrals should choose the seated stand for the clearest view, while supporters wanting a livelier experience may prefer the covered standing or bar-side areas.
Supporters should follow stewarding and standard ground rules at Flamingo Park. Pyrotechnics, pitch encroachment, throwing objects, discriminatory behaviour, bringing alcohol into the ground and blocking access routes are not permitted.
There is not a widely published separate flag policy, but previous away information has advised supporters to listen to stewards in relation to flags. Large flags, poles or banners should therefore be checked with the club in advance.
Because Flamingo Park is part of a wider sports and leisure site, visitors should be considerate in the car park, clubhouse, bar, fan-zone areas and around neighbouring leisure users. If segregation is used, supporters must remain in the area allocated to them.
Flamingo Park is a modern venue and is generally more accessible than many older non-league grounds. It has on-site parking, a modern clubhouse and largely purpose-built spectator routes, but supporters with specific access needs should still contact Cray Wanderers before travelling.
Wheelchair users should ask in advance about accessible parking, the best entrance and suitable viewing positions. The seated stand, pitchside hard standing and clubhouse-side areas are likely to provide the most practical options, although arrangements can vary depending on crowd size and segregation.
Public transport users with mobility needs should plan carefully because the nearest practical railway station is not immediately outside the stadium. A taxi from New Eltham or another nearby station may be easier than walking to the A20 site.
Cray Wanderers do not advertise regular public stadium tours of Flamingo Park. Although the ground is new and an important part of the club’s history, it operates as a working football and leisure venue rather than a stadium-tour attraction.
Supporters wanting to see the stadium should arrive early on matchday when the clubhouse and spectator areas are open. Any special access for community groups, sponsors, media or venue hire should be arranged directly with Cray Wanderers.
Chislehurst Caves is a worthwhile extra stop around Chislehurst, Sidcup and New Eltham 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.