QPR may have changed division this summer, but an early trip to the Reebok Stadium in Bolton will bring few surprises for the regular away support. If you haven’t been before, here’s the hints and tips.
Capacity: 28,723
Address: Burnden Way, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6JW
Main Number: 0844 871 2932
Box Office: 0844 871 2932
A long trip, 214 miles and just shy of four hours from Loftus Road, but a very easy one as the Reebok Stadium sits right next to the M61 motorway. Use the M1 out of London and then the M6 north until it reaches junction 21a. Join the M62 there, heading east, and go two junctions until it becomes the M60. Go two junctions east on the M60, leaving at 15 and join the M61 towards Preston, Wigan and Bolton. Leave at junction six and the ground is basically right there and clearly valuable.
Click the map to zoom in and tour around.
Certainly no shortage of that here. The official away car park behind the away end charges £6 per car but does box them in which means you can only leave when the person in front of you leaves – that said, QPR’s travelling support may not be big in number for this one so you may be alright. Alternatively lots of the businesses in the surrounding business park do parking cheaper (usually £4) and with a quicker get away. To get there go past the stadium on your left then get in the right hand filter lane to turn right into Lostock Lane. The Beehive Pub next to the ground has parking for £5 which I then refunded if you go in and spend at the bar.
Firstly, a reminder that Horwich Parkway is the station next to the ground, on the Manchester to Preston and Blackpool line, not Bolton which is on the stopper service and is miles away. A tip is to go up to Preston and back down, as it’s often cheaper than changing in Manchester.
Buying a straight ticket from London to Harwich Parkway is £77.30 return, or £72 if you buy two singles. That’s based on getting the 0840 from Euston to Stockport arriving at 10.36, and then the 10.41 from there to Harwich. Tight change that though, and a big risk of missing the kick off if it goes wrong as it arrives at 11.24. Coming back it’s 14.46 to Manchester Piccadilly arriving at 15.18 and leaving at 15.35 arriving at London at 17.42.
Very easy to save money on this one by playing around though, even at this late stage. Try the 06.55 from Euston, arriving Manchester Piccadilly 09.07, for £16 single and the 16.15 back the other way, arriving London at 18.23, for £26 single. Then buy a cheap day return from Manchester to Horwich Parkway for £4.10 and you’ve saved £30 straight away. For information, the last train you can get from Manchester and still make the 12.15 kick off is the 11.16 to Barrow, changing at Bolton to arrive at Horwich at 11.49. Those trains can be pretty rammed as the go through Bolton though.
The official club coach leaves Loftus Road at 6.30am and picks up at the Target Roundabout at 7am. It’s priced £32 for adults, £21 for seniors and under 21s and £19 for under 16s with the usual discount for season ticket holders. The LSA coach leaves the Springbok at 7am priced £30 adults and £20 concessions. Call Gary on 07506 028 189 to book.
As ever with an out of town ground the pickings are slim. The Beehive is the pub right next to the ground, and then further past the away end on Lostock Lane (see directions in parking section) is The Barnstormers. The place is surrounded by the usual hideous eateries – McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut – however the bars on the nearby retail park have strictly enforced home fan only policies.
Rangers have been allocated an initial 1,538 tickets priced £25 for adults, £18 for seniors and under 23s and £10 for under 18s. Bolton have asked the club to make it clear that anybody purchasing a concession ticket will be required to produce proof of age at the turnstile and if unable to do so will have to upgrade their ticket at the Bolton box office. The club has ten wheelchair spaces priced as above. Eight loyalty points on offer for this one.
Links >>> Detailed Fans Guide to Reebok Stadium >>> Official Website >>> LFW Awaydays