Whitehawk are based at the Enclosed Ground in East Brighton Park and have one of Sussex non-league football’s most distinctive identities. The Hawks rose to Step 2 in the 2010s and remain known for colourful support, community values and a dramatic ground tucked into the South Downs.
Whitehawk play at The Enclosed Ground in East Brighton Park, a distinctive and much-loved non-league venue tucked away off Wilson Avenue. The ground is also known by sponsored names at different times, but The Enclosed Ground remains the name most supporters recognise.
The stadium has a listed capacity of around 2,000 and is one of the more atmospheric grounds in the Isthmian Premier. It is not a polished modern venue; it has a traditional community-ground feel, with a main stand, covered and open standing areas, clubhouse facilities and a setting inside East Brighton Park that makes it feel slightly hidden away from the city.
The ground’s character is part of the appeal. Supporters are close to the pitch, the clubhouse is an important part of the matchday, and the setting gives Whitehawk a very different feel from Brighton’s larger professional football venues. It is a good ground for neutrals who enjoy proper non-league football, but it is worth planning the approach because it is not beside the railway station or in the city centre.
Segregation is not normally expected for standard Whitehawk league fixtures. Most visiting supporters should expect a shared non-league matchday, entering through the normal entrance and mixing with home fans, neutrals and families around the ground.
For most Isthmian Premier matches, away fans can choose between the seated stand, covered standing, open hard standing and pitchside viewing positions. The more vocal home support is likely to gather together behind a goal or near the livelier covered/bar-side areas, so away fans or neutrals wanting a quieter view may prefer a side-on position.
If a larger cup tie, derby or higher-risk fixture requires segregation, Whitehawk should publish specific match information in advance. In that case, away supporters should follow the advertised entrance and stewarding arrangements rather than assuming normal movement around The Enclosed Ground.
Use the A23 into Brighton, then follow the A27 east or city routes towards East Brighton and Whitehawk. The ground is not in the city centre, so aim for the east side early.
Come along the coast from Brighton Marina or Rottingdean side towards Wilson Avenue. Local roads climb sharply and parking is limited.
Use the A27 westbound from Lewes/Newhaven, then drop down towards East Brighton. This is usually easier than crossing central Brighton.
Use the A27 eastbound from Shoreham/Worthing and follow signs for East Brighton. Avoid the seafront if tourist traffic is heavy.
Brighton is the station to use for Whitehawk. fast services from London, Gatwick Airport, the south coast and Thameslink routes make this the main railhead with the best bus and taxi options.
This entry is for rail planning only; the detailed walking route from the station is listed separately under the same station title.
Moulsecoomb is the station to use for Whitehawk. local services on the Brighton to Lewes line can work if connections line up.
This entry is for rail planning only; the detailed walking route from the station is listed separately under the same station title.
Leave Brighton station and head towards the Enclosed Ground. The route is a long and hilly cross-city walk towards East Brighton and Whitehawk; bus or taxi is better.
Allow around 50 to 65 minutes on foot. Check the latest club or steward information for the correct entrance before travelling, especially for segregated fixtures or evening games.
Leave Moulsecoomb station and head towards the Enclosed Ground. The route is a shorter but still hilly walk towards East Brighton and Whitehawk.
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.
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 Whitehawk, this airport makes most sense because Gatwick is directly connected to Brighton by rail. From the airport, aim for Brighton. Take a direct train from Gatwick to Brighton, then use a bus or taxi across to East Brighton and Whitehawk. This is the normal airport route.
Southampton Airport works well for Hampshire, Portsmouth, Gosport and some Dorset fixtures because Southampton Airport Parkway station is next to the terminal.
For Whitehawk, this airport makes most sense because Southampton is a backup for south-coast flights but is slower than Gatwick. From the airport, aim for Brighton via the south coast. Use Southampton Airport Parkway and south-coast services towards Brighton, normally changing on route. From Brighton, finish by bus or taxi.
Brighton & Hove 1 / 1A is one of the specific routes to check for Brighton, East Brighton and Whitehawk. 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.
Brighton & Hove 21 is one of the specific routes to check for Brighton, East Brighton and Whitehawk. 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.
Brighton & Hove Radio Cabs is a named local taxi/private-hire option for Brighton, East Brighton and Whitehawk. 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.
Streamline Taxis Brighton is a named local taxi/private-hire option for Brighton, East Brighton and Whitehawk. 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.
East Brighton Park is the logical parking target for Whitehawk because the ground sits beside the park and sports area. Use marked bays and follow any event or club signage.
Charges and restrictions can vary, so check signs on arrival. This is usually more sensible than driving around residential Whitehawk streets.
Brighton Marina can be used if you are making a day of it on the east side of Brighton and do not mind a walk, bus or taxi up to the ground. It is more of a wider away-day base than a stadium car park.
Check marina parking terms and any time limits before leaving the car. A taxi up the hill is sensible if the weather is poor.
The Daddy Longlegs is a named pub option for Brighton and East Brighton, 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 Hand in Hand is a named pub option for Brighton and East Brighton, 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.
Marmalade Cafe is a named food option around Brighton and East Brighton, 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.
Busby and Wilds is a named food option around Brighton and East Brighton, 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.
Leonardo Hotel Brighton Waterfront is a practical overnight base for an away trip to Brighton and East Brighton. 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 key thing with Whitehawk is to plan the final part of the journey. The ground sits inside East Brighton Park on Wilson Avenue, away from central Brighton and away from the main railway station area. Public transport users should check Brighton bus routes or consider a taxi from Brighton station if time is tight.
Drivers should follow routes towards East Brighton rather than the city centre where possible. The club’s own directions advise avoiding the slow traffic into central Brighton on the A23 where practical. Parking around the ground and park area can be limited on busier matchdays, so arrive early and be considerate around local roads and park users.
Inside the ground, the clubhouse is a useful base before kick-off. The best neutral view is usually from the side-on areas, while those wanting more atmosphere should follow the main home support. Dogs are welcome at Whitehawk but must be kept on a lead at all times, which is useful to know for supporters who regularly take dogs to non-league matches.
Whitehawk sell tickets online through their official ticketing site and also advertise match tickets through the club website. The club advises buying in advance to save time and avoid queues, with tickets printable at home or shown on a phone.
Published admission prices are Adults £13, or £12 in advance; OAPs, students and NHS £8, or £7 in advance; Under-18s £5, or £4 in advance; and Under-13s free when accompanied by a paying adult. Supporters should still check the exact fixture before travelling because cup ties, friendlies or special matches may differ.
Pay on the gate is normally part of the Whitehawk matchday where tickets remain available, but buying online is the safer option for busier fixtures. Away supporters normally buy in the same way as home fans unless a specific away allocation or segregated arrangement is announced.
Supporters should follow Whitehawk’s stewarding instructions and normal football ground rules: no pyrotechnics, no pitch encroachment, no throwing objects, no discriminatory behaviour and no items likely to cause danger or disruption.
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times. Owners should be considerate of other spectators, avoid crowded areas where necessary and clean up after their dog.
The ground sits within East Brighton Park, so visitors should respect the wider park setting, local residents, club volunteers and other users of the area. If segregation is introduced for a particular fixture, supporters must use the advertised entrance and remain in the allocated section.
Whitehawk do not publish a detailed dedicated accessibility guide for The Enclosed Ground, so supporters with specific access needs should contact the club before travelling.
The ground is a traditional non-league venue with a mix of stand seating, covered standing and open hard-standing areas. Wheelchair users and supporters with reduced mobility are likely to find pitchside hard-standing positions the most practical, but the best option may depend on crowd size, weather and stewarding arrangements.
Because the ground is not beside Brighton station, public transport users with mobility needs should plan carefully. A taxi from Brighton or another suitable transport point may be easier than relying on a longer walk or bus connection. Disabled supporters should ask the club in advance about drop-off, parking and the most suitable entrance.
Whitehawk do not advertise regular public stadium tours of The Enclosed Ground. The venue is a working non-league football ground and community clubhouse rather than a stadium-tour attraction.
Supporters wanting to see the ground should arrive early on matchday when the clubhouse and spectator areas are open. Any special access for community groups, sponsors, media or private visits should be arranged directly with Whitehawk FC.
Brighton Palace Pier is a worthwhile extra stop around Brighton and East Brighton 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.