Stratford Town are based at the Arden Garages Stadium in Tiddington and are one of Warwickshire’s regular Southern League clubs. The Bards have built a steady Step 3 presence, with a community focus and a strong football identity around Stratford-upon-Avon.
The Arden Garages Stadium, also known as Knights Lane, is the home of Stratford Town and sits in Tiddington, just outside Stratford-upon-Avon town centre. The club describe it as a 2,800-capacity stadium with a 4G pitch, dedicated youth pitch and function-room facilities, making it more of a modern community football site than an old traditional town-centre ground.
The ground has a practical, compact layout with spectator areas close to the pitch and club facilities grouped around the main stadium building and clubhouse. It is not a large enclosed stadium with big permanent stands on every side, but it is a well-used football and community venue with a clear matchday hub.
For neutrals, the best view is usually from the side of the pitch, especially if you want to stay close to the clubhouse and main facilities. Supporters wanting atmosphere will normally gather in the busier standing areas, but for most fixtures the ground should allow supporters to move around and choose a preferred viewing spot unless segregation is announced.
Away segregation is not expected to be routine for most Southern League Premier Central fixtures at Stratford Town. For normal league matches, visiting supporters should expect general admission and the ability to mix with home supporters and choose where to watch from inside the ground.
For larger fixtures, cup ties or matches where a bigger travelling support is expected, Stratford may introduce specific entry, stewarding or away-area arrangements. Some away-guide sources refer to a designated away section at Knights Lane, but at this level it is best treated as fixture-specific rather than a permanent away end used every week.
The ground is approached from Knights Lane, Tiddington. Away supporters should check matchday posts before travelling, especially because local access and roadworks around Knights Lane have affected travel at times. If segregation or a designated area is used, stewards will direct supporters on arrival.
Use the M40 southbound/northbound to the Stratford exits, then follow signs for the town and Knights Lane. Tourist traffic is a major factor here.
Use the A46 northbound or M40 from the south, then follow Stratford-upon-Avon signs. Avoid the historic centre if you are heading straight to the ground.
Use the A422/A46 from Warwick or Banbury side, then enter Stratford. Check for theatre and tourist traffic before travelling.
Use the A46/A3400 from Evesham or Alcester side, then follow Stratford signs. Allow extra time during weekends and holiday periods.
Stratford-upon-Avon is the station to use for Stratford Town. West Midlands services from Birmingham, Warwick and Leamington-side connections 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 Stratford-upon-Avon station and head towards Knights Lane. The route is a walk out of town towards Knights Lane; allow for tourist traffic and busy crossings.
Allow around 25 to 35 minutes on foot. Check the latest club or steward information for the correct entrance before travelling, especially for segregated fixtures or evening games.
Birmingham Airport is the strongest airport for the West Midlands and much of central England. The terminal connects to Birmingham International station by Air-Rail Link, giving quick access to Birmingham New Street and the wider rail network.
For Stratford Town, this airport makes most sense because Birmingham is the most practical airport for Stratford. From the airport, aim for Stratford-upon-Avon. Use Birmingham International, then rail via Birmingham or Warwick/Leamington towards Stratford-upon-Avon. From there, walk or taxi to Knights Lane.
Stagecoach X18 is one of the specific routes to check for Stratford-upon-Avon station and Knights Lane. 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.
Stagecoach 15 is one of the specific routes to check for Stratford-upon-Avon station and Knights Lane. 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.
007 Taxis Stratford-upon-Avon is a named local taxi/private-hire option for Stratford-upon-Avon station and Knights Lane. 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.
Avon Taxis Stratford is a named local taxi/private-hire option for Stratford-upon-Avon station and Knights Lane. 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.
Stratford Town have matchday parking around Knights Lane, but it should be treated as fixture-dependent and stewarded. Approach from the main town routes and avoid residential parking if full.
Expect free or low-cost parking where available. Tourist traffic means arriving early is sensible.
Bridgeway multi-storey is a useful central Stratford-upon-Avon option if you are making a day of it. It is not next to the ground, so plan a walk or short taxi to Knights Lane.
Expect normal town-centre tourist tariffs. Check closing times before leaving the car for evening fixtures.
The Encore is a named pub option for Stratford-upon-Avon, 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 Dirty Duck is a named pub option for Stratford-upon-Avon, 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.
Loxleys Restaurant is a named food option around Stratford-upon-Avon, 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.
El Greco Stratford is a named food option around Stratford-upon-Avon, 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 Arden Hotel is a practical overnight base for an away trip to Stratford-upon-Avon. 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 most important practical advice for Stratford Town is to plan parking and access before travelling. The club states that car parking for first-team games is £3 per vehicle, and that parking is not allowed on Duke's Close, the drive leading from Knights Lane to the stadium, for safety and access reasons.
Supporters should park safely, respect local neighbours and leave access for emergency vehicles. The ground is around a 30-minute walk from Stratford-upon-Avon town centre, with footpaths available all the way to the club, so walking from town can be a realistic option for some supporters.
Inside the ground, expect a modern non-league community setup rather than a large stadium. Arrive early if you want a particular viewing point, especially in poor weather or for better-supported fixtures. The clubhouse bar is an important part of the matchday setup and is worth checking unless the club announces match-specific restrictions.
Stratford Town fixtures are usually straightforward non-league admission events, with pay-on-the-gate likely for many standard league matches unless the club announces advance or online ticketing for a specific fixture.
Admission is normally general rather than reserved seating. Supporters can usually choose where to watch once inside, although this may change if segregation or a designated away area is introduced for a larger fixture.
Away fans should check Stratford Town's matchday information and their own club's travel guidance before setting off. Most league matches should be simple, but cup ties, local-interest games or fixtures with larger away support may have different ticketing, entry or parking advice.
Supporters should follow standard ground rules at the Arden Garages Stadium. Pyrotechnics, smoke bombs, pitch encroachment, throwing objects, abusive behaviour and entering restricted areas are not permitted. Alcohol should only be consumed in areas allowed by the club and competition rules.
The club specifically asks supporters not to park on Duke's Close, the drive leading from Knights Lane to the stadium, because of safety and access requirements. Supporters should also park responsibly in the surrounding area and avoid blocking residents, pavements or emergency access.
For larger or segregated fixtures, additional stewarding, entry checks or movement restrictions may apply. Supporters should follow instructions from stewards and club volunteers at all times.
The Arden Garages Stadium has disabled access listed in facility information, and the ground has on-site parking, but supporters with mobility needs should contact Stratford Town before travelling to confirm the best entrance, parking and viewing arrangements.
Because parking and access around Knights Lane and Duke's Close are sensitive, disabled supporters should not assume they can park close to the entrance without checking in advance. Arriving early is recommended so stewards can assist before the ground becomes busier.
Inside the ground, the most suitable viewing position may depend on crowd size, weather and whether any fixture-specific segregation is in place. Supporters needing step-free access, seating or accessible toilets should confirm arrangements directly with the club.
Regular public stadium tours are not advertised for the Arden Garages Stadium. Stratford Town operate the ground as a working football and community venue rather than a stadium with scheduled visitor tours.
Supporters interested in visiting outside matchday, viewing the facilities, booking the pitch or function rooms, or photographing the ground should contact Stratford Town directly. Any access is likely to depend on club staff, bookings and volunteer availability.
Shakespeare's Birthplace is a worthwhile extra stop around Stratford-upon-Avon 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.