The usual travel tips for the QPR fans planning on making the journey to Lancashire on Saturday for the FA Cup tie with Blackburn Rovers.
Ground Name: Ewood Park
Capacity: 31,367
Address: Bolton Road, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 4JF
Main Number: 0871 702 1875
Box Office: 0871 222 1444
By Car: It’s a long trek this, some 225 miles one way from Loftus Road, and starts be either taking the M1 or the M40 out of London to the M6. Leave the M6 at junction 29, signposted Burnley and Blackburn, and take the M65 to junction four. Leave there and take the fourth exit following signs for Blackburn and Darwen on the A666 ominously. Turn right at the first set of traffic lights. Follow that road for a mile and the ground appears on the right.
Map:
Click the map to zoom in and tour around.
Parking: There are a variety of private car parks around the ground charging in the region of a fiver, although if you park close to the stadium expect to be held up after the match as all roads are closed for half an hour after full time to allow the crowds to disperse safely. To avoid this then on your way down the Bolton Road A666 turn right at the lights after the Total petrol garage and park on the industrial estate for £3. There’s a longer walk, but you’ll be straight out afterwards.
Train: Blackburn, and Mill Hill which is marginally closer to the ground, lies on the Blackpool to Scarborough line which goes through Preston, Leeds and York. It’s also served by stopping services from Manchester. So it’s West Coast mainline from Euston with a change at either Manchester or Preston for the R’s. Tickets were available for as little as £20 return a month ago but this close to the match you will struggle to find anything less than the £74.80 off peak return which is the walk up and pay on the day fee. You can get a ticket for £56 return if you leave at 0840 (arrive 1150) and come back at 1915 (arrive 2244) with changes at Stockport and Bolton on the way there, and Preston on the way back.
Blackburn station is a 20-25 minute walk of about two miles. Darwen bound 1,3 and 225 buses leave from right outside the station and go to the ground. To walk turn left out of the station and then left again to reach a major road junction under the railway bridge. Follow the Great Bolton Street straight on for more than a mile past the Infirmary and canal and after another railway bridge the ground should appear on your left.
Coach: The official club coach leaves Rangers at 8.30am and picks up at the Target roundabout at 9am but is now sold out. The LSA coach leaves the Springbok at 8am but is also sold out and no second coach will run.
Pubs: The traditional haunt of the away fans is The Fernhurst, across the main Bolton Road from the away end. This is a large pub offering Sky and food with parking for away fans as well. Many other pubs in the vicinity will advertise themselves as home fans only although the guide says the Golden Cup further up the Bolton Road, and the Bear Hotel offer a mix of both sets of fans with no problems. The Navigation pub also has a mix and is ideal for fans coming from Mill Hill station.
Tickets: QPR have 1,500 tickets remaining for this fixture priced £15 for adults, £1 for accompanied under 16s, £5 for unaccompanied, £5 for seniors, £5 for young adult season ticket holders, £15 for disabled with carer. Tickets are on sale until noon on Thursday and will then be returned to Blackburn for sale on the day. Blackburn’s away end is absolutely massive and can hold more than 6,000 so I doubt there will be any problem buying on the day as a QPR fan.
Links >>> Detailed Fans Guide to Ewood Park >>> Official Website