QPR hit the road again next week with two trips down the M4 in four days, starting with a visit to Swansea City on Tuesday night.
Ground Name: Liberty Stadium
Capacity: 20,500 (all seated)
Address: Morfa, Swansea, SA1 2FA
Main Telephone No: 01792 616 600
Ticket Office: 08700 400 004
By Car: From London it’s M4 and ‘go west’ all the way into South Wales, then off at junction 45 and onto the A4607 following signs for the city centre. Stay on that road for about two and a half miles and the ground should magically appear before you. Somewhere around the 185 miles mark from Loftus Road.
Map:
Click map to visit Multi Map site and zoom in/out or tour round.
Parking: It’s a brand new stadium this, 20,500 seats so guess what? That’s right, no car park for away fans. Permit holders only at the ground and all the guides say it’s residents permit holders only in the streets in the immediate vicinity although we have managed to get parked for free on the street very close to the away end on our last two visits so don’t rule it out as an option. You could try for street parking further afield or use the dreaded park and ride facilities at Swansea Vale shortly after leaving the M4 at junction 45 - £5 per car including travel to the ground. The guide strongly discourages you from parking on the nearby retail park, apparently the ticket issuers are a bit keen. Last season we approached the ground on the dual carriageway, as soon as we saw it we dived off to the right and parked at the side of a road no problem at all.
By Train: A midweek game in South Wales means, naturally, no trains back after the game. If you fancy making a bit of a night of it then the first train back in the morning is at 0358, arriving in London at 0731. Heading out at 2.45pm on the Tuesday from Paddington (arrives 1743) and returning on that one will set you back £61 return if booked now. More sensibly anybody going by train will probably want to come back on Wednesday after an overnight stay – pick up the £23 single on the 2.45pm on Tuesday, go back on the 10.28am on Wednesday (arrives Paddington 1332) and you can book a return ticket now for £42.50. The walk up and buy on the day fare is £65.70 return. The station is 25 minutes walk to the ground, taxi or bus advised – numbers 4, 4a, 120, 122, 125, 132 run to the stadium.
Pubs: The Northern R’s ended up in the Dylan Thomas last team we were here on a Tuesday as it is one of the first pubs you see when you drive in – the food was disgusting, the service was appalling and the place was filthy. If you are arriving by car this year drive right past the revolting hell hole. There are apparently no pubs within walking distance of the stadium that admit away fans on police advice, games in South Wales do always seem to be a bit tasty police and trouble wise. All the usual Wetherspoons, Yates etc are located on Wind Street in the centre of the city near Castle Gardens, No Sign Bar is the place for real ale enthusiasts. Last season, without colours it must be said, we went in the Harvester right next to the ground. The problem is this is more of a restaurant than a pub so 90 per cent of the space is taken up by tables for people to eat. That means that people there just to drink cram into the tiny bar area around the door as you walk in. We got around this last year by saying we wanted to eat, waiting 30 minutes for a table to become available, and then ordering three courses and coffee to drag out the time we were allowed to sit down before being moved on. All in all, as usual with new grounds, the choice is narrow and the quality absolutely awful when it comes to places to eat and drink.
Coach: Tickets are priced £31 adults, £20 seniors and young adults, £18 juniors. The bus departs at 1pm from Loftus Road, 1.30pm from the Target Roundabout. The LSA is running coaches from the Springbok leaving at 1pm priced approximately £25 adults and £15 concessions. Booking details at the LSA website.
Tickets: Swansea have at last abandoned the ridiculous policy of insisting a game is all ticket for away fans only for us to arrive at the ground and find a cash turnstile open. Tickets are on sale from rangers until Monday priced £25 adults, £10 for unaccompanied under 16s, £4 for accompanied under 16s, £15 for students, £13 for over 60s, £25 for disabled with helper.
Links >>> Detailed fans' guide to the Liberty Stadium >>> Swansea Official Website >>> Last season’s Awayday Review