Albion Till We Die - An independent West Bromwich Albion website

DRIVING TO THE HAWTHORNS

DIRECTIONS

The Hawthorns - one of the easiest football stadiums in the country to drive to - is located on the A41 Birmingham Road, approximately 600 metres from Junction 1 of the M5 motorway. On leaving the M5 take the A41 towards Birmingham, the ground will appear on your right. Speed cameras are in operation along this stretch of road with a 30mph speed limit in force.

If you are travelling from Birmingham follow the A41 towards West Bromwich and the M5. The ground will appear on your left. This route, particularly the stretch along Soho Road, Handsworth, tends to be heavily congested even on non-matchdays and is probably best avoided if possible.

The roads immediately around the ground, and in particular the A41 Birmingham Road and the M5 junction 1 roundabout, can suffer badly from congestion on matchdays so it is advised to allow yourself plenty of time if driving to The Hawthorns.

CAR PARKING

Official Club Car Parks

East Stand Car Park: (Birmingham Road, B71 4LF, 350 spaces, £5, adjacent to stadium) - Access to the car park is only available from the A41 Birmingham Road, the entrance is opposite the McDonalds restaurant.

The club’s car park in Halfords Lane is for pass holders only.

Private Car Parks

There are a number of private car parks within walking distance of The Hawthorns. Listed in order of closest proximity to the stadium they are:

The Hawthorns Pub: (Birmingham Road, B71 4JZ, 80 spaces, £5, 20 metres from ground, 1 minute walk) - On leaving the M5 take the A41 towards Birmingham and the car park will appear on your right just before you reach the ground. If you are travelling from Birmingham follow the A41 towards the M5. The car park is on your left immediately after passing the ground.

ICS Distribution Ltd: (Halfords Lane, B66 1BP, unknown spaces, £4, 250 metres from ground, 5 minutes walk) - From North: Exit M5 at Junction 1. Take second exit off roundabout onto Kenrick Way - A4252 (signposted Oldbury, Smethwick) at reaching next roundabout take the 1st exit into Dartmouth Road (signposted Hawthorns Park and Ride) follow road around until you come to a set of traffic lights. Turn left at lights into Halfords Lane, continue along and the car park will appear on your left. The entrance is opposite the Hawthorns Rail and Metro Station car park just before you cross the railway bridge. From South: Exit M5 at Junction 1. Take fifth exit off roundabout and follow directions as for from North.

Hawthorns Rail and Metro Station: (Halfords Lane, B66 2DZ, 170 spaces, £4, 250 metres from ground, 5 minutes walk) - Directions as for ICI Distribution Ltd except for the car park will appear on your right.

Ceilings Distribution Ltd: (Halfords Lane, B66 1SA, 100 spaces, £4, 400 metres from ground, 5 minutes walk) - Directions as for ICI Distribution Ltd. The entrance, which is signposted 'Matchday Parking', will appear on your left just past the office block 'Hawthorns House'.

Park Lane Industrial Estate: (Park Lane, B21 8LE, 240 spaces, £2.50, 400 metres from ground, 5 minutes walk) - If you are travelling on the A41 towards Birmingham take the first turning on your left once you have passed The Hawthorns. Coming from the opposite direction take the last turning on your right before you reach the stadium.

Park Lane Secure Parking: (Park Lane, B21 8LE, 120 spaces, £3.00, 400 metres from ground, 5 minutes walk) - Directions as for Park Lane Industrial Estate.

Gordon Motor Services Ltd: (Dartmouth Road, B66 1BG, 100 spaces, £4, 700 metres from ground, 10 minutes walk) - From North: Exit M5 at Junction 1. Take second exit off roundabout onto Kenrick Way - A4252 (signposted Oldbury, Smethwick) at reaching next roundabout take the 1st exit into Dartmouth Road (signposted Hawthorns Park and Ride) follow road around and the car park will appear on your left just before the set of traffic lights. From South: Exit M5 at Junction 1. Take fifth exit off roundabout and follow directions as for from North.

East End Foods: (Birmingham Road, B71 4EA, 150 spaces, £4, 800 metres from ground, 10 minutes walk) - The car park is just off Junction 1 of the M5, on leaving the M5 take the A41 towards Birmingham and the car park will appear immediately on your right. If you are travelling from Birmingham follow the A41 towards the M5. The car park is on your left just before you reach the motorway island.

West Midlands Fire Service Training Centre: (Dartmouth Road, B66 1BG, 200 spaces, £3 (donated to charity), 800 metres from ground, 15 minutes walk) - Directions as for Gordon Motor Services Ltd except the car park will appear on your right.

Brasshouse Lane Community Centre: (Brasshouse Lane, B66 1BA, 80 spaces, £3, 800 metres from ground, 20 minutes walk) - From North: Exit M5 at Junction 1. Take second exit off roundabout onto Kenrick Way - A4252 (signposted Oldbury, Smethwick) at reaching next roundabout take the 1st exit into Dartmouth Road (signposted Hawthorns Park and Ride) follow road around until you come to a set of traffic lights, turn right at lights and the car park will appear on your right. From South: Exit M5 at Junction 1. Take fifth exit off roundabout and follow directions as for from North.

Park Inn West Bromwich (Formerly The Moat House): (Europa Avenue, B70 6RS, 250 spaces, £3, 1000 metres from ground, 20 minutes walk) - From North: Exit M5 at Junction 1. Take fourth exit off roundabout, towards West Bromwich, (Birmingham Road), then first right (Beeches Road), then second right (Europa Avenue). From South: Exit M5 at Junction 1. Take first exit off roundabout towards West Bromwich, (Birmingham Road). Take the first right into Beeches Road and then take the first right again into Europa Avenue. The Park Inn is situated on the right immediately after you go under the road bridge.

Street Parking

There is plenty of street parking available within the vicinity of The Hawthorns but Traffic Wardens do operate around the ground on matchdays so check for any restrictions before leaving your car. Kenrick Way and Telford Way are recommended, both are within 10-20 minutes walking distance of the ground and are particularly handy for a quick getaway after the match. (From North: Exit M5 at Junction 1, take second exit off roundabout. From South: Take fifth exit off roundabout). Vandalism, whilst fairly rare, has been reported in the past on cars left in streets.

West Bromwich Town Centre

There are a number of pay and display car parks in the town centre. They are regularly patrolled by traffic wardens so do purchase a ticket. The same car parks are free after six at night and on Sundays. West Bromwich town centre is approximately a 20-25 minute walk from the ground although it is straightforward, just find West Bromwich High Street and follow it in the direction of the M5 and Birmingham.

Alternatively you can catch the number 74 or 79 bus from the town centre bus station or jump on the Midland Metro, the stop being directly opposite the bus station. In either case make sure the destination is Birmingham.

NOTES

Road Closures

Halfords Lane is closed to vehicles on matchdays from it’s junction with the A41 Birmingham Road, along the length of the Halfords Lane Stand upto the junction with Albion Road.

The A41 Birmingham Road is reduced from four to three lanes approximately an hour before kick-off on matchdays due to the introduction of an emergency lane on the westbound carriageway. The lane remains shut until the crowds have dispersed following the game.