Bishop’s Stortford are based at Woodside Park and are one of Hertfordshire’s traditional non-league clubs. The Blues have played across the Isthmian, Southern and National League systems, carrying a long history, strong local identity and experience at Step 2 and Step 3.
Woodside Park, currently known through sponsorship as the RDA Stadium, is the modern home of Bishop's Stortford. The club moved here in 1999 after leaving Rhodes Avenue, and the ground sits on Dunmow Road on the edge of town, close to the route towards Stansted Airport.
The stadium has a capacity of around 4,525, including seated accommodation, and is one of the more substantial grounds in the Southern League Premier Central. It has seated stands on the sides of the pitch and covered terrace areas behind the goals, giving it a more complete enclosed feel than many smaller Step 3 venues.
One of Woodside Park's distinctive features is its location near Stansted Airport, with aircraft often visible and audible during the game. For neutrals, the side stands offer the best overall view, while supporters wanting a more traditional terrace experience may prefer the covered ends. The ground also has a social club, which is commonly noted as welcoming visiting supporters unless match-specific restrictions apply.
Away segregation is not routine for every Bishop's Stortford home game, but Woodside Park is capable of operating with an allocated away area when required. For normal Southern League fixtures, visiting supporters may find the ground open to both sets of fans, but this should always be checked before travel.
When segregation or away allocation is used, away supporters have commonly been placed at the Airport End. The precise arrangement can vary by fixture depending on the expected attendance, police or stewarding advice and whether the match is considered higher risk.
The main stadium entrance is from Dunmow Road via Woodside. For high-attendance games, away fans should look for club announcements covering entry points, bar access, food facilities and whether the clubhouse is open to visiting supporters. On some fixtures, access to the bar may be restricted to home supporters only.
Use the M11 southbound to Junction 8, then follow Bishop's Stortford and Woodside Park signs. Airport traffic can affect the junction.
Use the M11 northbound or A120 from the south, then enter Bishop's Stortford. Avoid town-centre shortcuts if the M11 is moving.
Use the A120 westbound from Braintree/Colchester side, then follow Bishop's Stortford signs. The Stansted corridor can be busy.
Use the A120 eastbound from Hertford/Standon or the M11 links, then enter the town. Leave time for the final urban roads.
Bishop's Stortford is the station to use for Bishop's Stortford. West Anglia services from London Liverpool Street, Tottenham Hale, Stansted Airport and Cambridge make this the station to use.
This entry is for rail planning only; the detailed walking route from the station is listed separately under the same station title.
Leave Bishop's Stortford station and head towards Woodside Park. The route is a walk out from the town towards Dunmow Road and Woodside Park.
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.
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 Bishop's Stortford, this airport makes most sense because Stansted is almost local to Bishop's Stortford. From the airport, aim for Bishop's Stortford. Take a short train south from Stansted Airport towards Bishop's Stortford, or use a taxi if arriving close to kick-off. This is the obvious airport route.
Arriva 508 / 509 / 510 is one of the specific routes to check for Bishop's Stortford station, Stansted and Woodside 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.
Stephensons 301 is one of the specific routes to check for Bishop's Stortford station, Stansted and Woodside 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.
Associated Taxis Bishop's Stortford is a named local taxi/private-hire option for Bishop's Stortford station, Stansted and Woodside 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.
Bishop's Stortford Taxis is a named local taxi/private-hire option for Bishop's Stortford station, Stansted and Woodside 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.
Woodside Park has matchday parking, but availability can vary and it should be checked before travelling. Approach from the Dunmow Road side and follow stewards on arrival.
Expect a small matchday charge where parking is managed. Avoid residential streets if the car park is full.
Bishop's Stortford station parking is a useful signed option if you are happy with the walk or short taxi to Woodside Park. It is easier to plan than local street parking.
Expect normal station parking tariffs. This option is useful for supporters meeting rail travellers.
The Port Jackson is a named pub option for Bishop's Stortford, 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 Belgian Brewer is a named pub option for Bishop's Stortford, 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.
South Street Pantry is a named food option around Bishop's Stortford, 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.
Cibo Bishop's Stortford is a named food option around Bishop's Stortford, 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.
The George Hotel Bishop's Stortford is a practical overnight base for an away trip to Bishop's Stortford. 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.
Woodside Park is easy to reach by road from the M11 and A120, but the stadium car park is limited and can fill quickly. A small parking charge may apply, so arriving early is advisable. The ground is also walkable from Bishop's Stortford railway station, with the walk usually taking around 20 minutes.
Because the ground is on the edge of town, there are fewer pubs immediately around the stadium than at central grounds. The social club at the ground is therefore useful, although access can depend on the fixture and whether segregation is in operation.
The ground has good non-league facilities and offers a choice of seating or terracing. For a neutral, a side-on view from the seated areas is the safest choice. If you want atmosphere, the covered end areas are usually better, but for segregated matches you may be directed to a specific part of the stadium.
Bishop's Stortford tickets are usually available in advance online for many fixtures, and the club has also offered pay-on-the-gate admission where matches are not all-ticket. Advance tickets can be cheaper than the matchday gate price for some games, so it is worth checking the official ticket link before travelling.
Recent pricing has typically separated adults, concessions, youth and under-12 categories, with under-12s often free when accompanied by a paying adult. Prices and categories can change by season or competition, so supporters should check the latest club information.
For most fixtures, admission is general rather than a specific reserved seat. Away fans should check whether their fixture has any segregation, advance-only ticketing or designated away facilities before travelling, especially for cup ties or matches expected to attract a larger following.
Supporters at Woodside Park should follow the usual football ground regulations: no pyrotechnics, no pitch encroachment, no throwing objects, no abusive behaviour and no access to restricted areas. Alcohol should only be consumed in permitted areas and may be restricted in view of the pitch depending on the competition or fixture.
Gangways, stairways, entrances and exits should be kept clear. Supporters should follow steward instructions, especially if segregation is in place or if the Airport End is being used for away fans.
The club may apply fixture-specific rules for higher-profile games, including bar restrictions, designated entry points, extra searches or limits on movement around the ground.
Bishop's Stortford provide specific disabled supporter facilities at Woodside Park. The club has stated that there is an exclusive covered section for supporters with disabilities, which also accommodates friends and helpers. This is located in the paddock at the Airport End of the ground.
Disabled toilet facilities are available, with access from the clubhouse and from inside the ground close to the covered disabled section. The club has also confirmed that disabled parking and ground access are available, but supporters should contact the club in advance for further information.
Disabled supporters should check arrangements before travelling, particularly if the match is segregated or expected to attract a larger crowd, as away allocation and access arrangements may vary by fixture.
Regular public stadium tours are not advertised for Woodside Park. Although Bishop's Stortford is a historic club and the ground is one of the stronger venues at this level, it does not appear to operate a scheduled stadium tour programme.
Supporters interested in visiting outside matchday, viewing the ground or learning more about the club's move from Rhodes Avenue to Woodside Park should contact Bishop's Stortford directly. Any access is likely to be arranged informally rather than through a public tour.
Mountfitchet Castle is a worthwhile extra stop around Bishop's Stortford 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.