Away days: Chelsea
As the Swans get set to face Chelsea on Wednesday night, we bring you a fan's guide to Stamford Bridge to improve your matchday experience.
Chelsea
Address: Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, London, SW6 1HS
Telephone: 0371 811 1955 Website: chelseafc.com
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Swans fans will be located in the Shed End within the East Stand. The view is good and there are modern food areas and concourses, on which screens show match highlights.
There is plenty of food available from cheeseburgers to hot dogs and pasties to tandoori chicken wraps, although it is a bit pricey. Singha Beer, London Pride and red or white wine are also sold.
There is usually a good atmosphere in the ground and the stewards are fairly laid back. Behind the West Stand is a statue of legendary striker Peter Osgood.
VISITING LONDON London is the epicentre of everything entertainment-wise. To plan your trip, go to http://www.visitlondon.com.
Chelsea stadium tours can be booked at http://www.chelseafc.com/the-club/stadium-tours-and-museum.html although they are not in operation on the day of the match.
The Killers are playing at the O2 Arena (SE10 0DX) on Monday and Tuesday, with tickets costing between £56.25 and £86.75. Meanwhile, Elvis in Concert – Live on Screen takes centre stage on Thursday, featuring The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and an appearance by Priscilla Presley. Tickets cost between £53.75 and £62.25.
There are many places to stay close by including the Chelsea Harbour Hotel, Blakes Hotel, Oxford Hotel and the Cranley, while there are also Millennium & Copthorne Hotels and Double Tree by Hilton.
Prices are expensive, though, and it is always a good idea to book London-based hotels well in advance, especially around times when Wembley Stadium is in operation.
PUBS AND GRUB Getting into a pub near the ground can be difficult. Away fans are allowed in The Goose (SW6 1NL), which is a mile away from Stamford Bridge and serves reasonably priced beer as well as showing Sky Sports.
Generally, it is probably better to go somewhere away from the ground.
It is a 15-minute walk to the White Horse (SW6 4UL), near Parsons Green tube station, where there is good food and real ales. The food is a bit pricey on matchdays, but they do serve a barbecue all year round as well as having a wide range of beers to choose from.
A couple of tube stations from Fulham Broadway, the Earl's Court area is generally favoured by away fans. The Courtfield Tavern (SW5 9AN) is opposite the entrance to the station and serves real ale and food.
PARKING Resident parking is around the ground, so it will be a fair walk from your car to the stadium. It may be worth considering going to https://www.yourparkingspace.co.uk/stamford-bridge-parking to rent a driveway.
TRAIN The nearest tube station is Fulham Broadway (District Line), which is just around the corner from the stadium, while the nearest overground station is West Brompton (a 15-minute walk to Stamford Bridge).
Trains leave Swansea for the three-hour journey at 12:54, 13:28, 13:55, 14:28 and 14:55 throughout the day, and the only train leaving London Paddington station that night is at 22:45.
