Crystal Palace – Selhurst Park
Jump to: Hotels – Pubs – Parking – Directions – Fan’s comments
Selhurst Park is an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 26,300 and has been the home of Crystal Palace since August 1924.
Both ends of the ground have undergone redevelopment in recent years. At the Western end, the impressive, two-tiered Holmesdale Road Stand houses the majority of the home fans.
The Whitehorse Lane Stand, opposite, has a single tier of seating, with 2 rows of executive boxes above and a video screen on the roof. On the South side is the large, covered, single-tiered Arthur Wait stand, the Western end of which houses the away fans. Along with the single-tiered Main Stand, this stand is beginning to show its age, with wooden seating and numerous supporting pillars.
Next match:
How to get to Selhurst Park
By Road:
The Selhurst Park stadium is situated in South Norwood, London SE25 6PU.
Drivers arriving from the North are advised to follow the M1, taking the exit towards the A40 and Wembley. Merge onto the North Circular Road and at the roundabout take the 1st exit onto Edgware Road (A5). Follow the A5 for about 5 miles before turning left at Marble Arch. Turn left into Park Lane after a further mile. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Duke of Wellington Place. Bear left at Grosvenor Place and continue on the A302 fro about ¾ of a mile. Bear left onto the A202 and follow it for about 2 miles, turning right at the A23 (Brixton Road). Make a slight left turn onto the B273 and turn left onto Woodville Road after about 2 miles. Bear left at White Horse Road and turn left at White Horse Lane.
From the South, drivers can use the M23, exiting onto the A23 (London Road North) and following it for some 7 miles. After passing through 1 roundabout, turn right at Purley Way (A232). Follow the A232, turning right at Stafford Road and left at Park lane. Selhurst Park is reportedly well signed thereafter.
View Larger Map
By Rail:
Many fans report being fooled by the fact that Crystal Palace station is nowhere near the ground. The nearest railway stations are Selhurst and Thornton Heath which are all served by regular connections from London Victoria mainline station. Norwood Junction, which is also within a 15 minute walk of Selhurst Park, is served by trains from East Croydon, London Bridge, Gatwick airport and a limited service from Victoria. Click here to check the current train timetables
By Air:
The nearest airport is Biggin Hill, about 7 miles from the ground. However, Heathrow, at a distance of about 20 miles may prove more convenient for air travellers, offering frequent rail, tube and bus links with Central London. Click here to check the current flight times
Taxis
There are several taxi companies in London that can take you to and from Selhurst Park. You can always prebook a private hire taxi, or hail a black cab on any highway.
Calling all London Taxi Companies – Why not advertise your company here?.
Where to Park?
On-street parking near the ground is limited, due to residents’ only parking schemes on match days and “Pay and Display” bays which have a 4-hour limit. Many visiting fans have recommended parking in the Edith Road and Dagnall Park areas near Selhurst railway station. Away fans have also recommended allowing plenty of time for the journey as traffic becomes very congested.
Away Friendly Pubs near Selhurst Park
Numerous pubs in the Selhurst Park area have been recommended by visiting fans. Rail travellers alighting at Selhurst station may like the Clifton Arms in Clifton Road or the Two Brewers in Gloucester Road. The former is a large Victorian pub with a wide range of quality ales. However, its popularity means it becomes very crowded. The latter is a comfortable, “cottage type” pub, serving excellent beer and food.
The Railway Telegraph, in Brigstock Road, near Thornton Heath station is also popular with away fans. Many fans have been impressed by the Alliance, in Station Road, near Norwood Junction station. Others have enjoyed the lively atmosphere of the Ship in South Norwood High Street, a free house with Sky TV. Alternatively alcohol is served inside the ground.
Hotels near Selhurst Park
Jurys Inn Croydon, Wellesley Road, London, CRO 9XY is about 1½ miles from Selhurst Park. Most guests have complimented the hotel on cleanliness, comfort and excellent service. Nearby parking is available.
The Express By Holiday Inn London Croydon, 1 Priddy’s Yard, Croydon, London CR0 1TS is centrally located, within 2 miles of Selhurst Park. It is within easy walking distance of London Victoria and East Croydon stations. Reports from visitors have been positive, commenting on cleanliness, bright décor and excellent facilities. However, no on-site parking is available.
Click here to see all hotels near Selhurst Park
What have other Away Fans said about their trip to Selhurst Park?
The atmosphere inside Selhurst Park has been reported as good by most visitors, though some have been intimidated by the proximity of the home supporters. Though several have remarked that the older stands give the ground character, most away fans have been disappointed by the away section.
The wooden seating is very uncomfortable and supporting pillars can impede the view of play. Many fans have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food available inside the ground and efficient, speedy service.
I have lived near this ground a while, so have been here a few times in both home and away sections. I have broken down my review into sections
-PUBS
Near the entrance to Norwwod Junction is the Cherry Trees. Gets very busy with home and away support, good selection of bottled Polish beer, as it is owned by Poles and most of the staff are Polish. Always one bitter on. Turnin right onto the main road is the Wetherspoons, with typical spoons grub and good ale. it gets busy with away fans and is a little run down.
-CHIPS
Lots of fast food in both South Norwood and Thornton Heath, espescially Tony’s SupaFry in Norwood and Emek Kebab and Doneagles near ‘Heath.
-GROUND
Old fashioned, which some like, some don’t, but you do get a sense of the history and passion that exists in the ground. The passionate Home fans in the front of the Holmesdale stand and back of the Arthur Waite box in the away support and make for a great atmosphere in the ground. accoustics in the away end are very good. the food is ok, you may have to que for quite a while. alcohol is limited to £3 lager or cider bottles.
-TRAVEL
Although Selhurst is the closest station to the ground, it is better to travel to Norwood junction, as there are more pubs, more food shops, and a better atmosphere on matchdays. it also has the more regular services from london. Driving is often difficult, as the whole area for a few miles around becomes almost deadlocked approaching kickoff, and there is little parking. I must reiterate Crystal Palace station and Crystal Palace town centre are NOWHERE NEAR Selhurst Park.
We travelled by car to London but found the best thing to do was park at North Finchley and travel by tube and rail to Norwood Junction. Free parking, a day rail card and home before the cars who had travelled to Selhurst Park.
A very old ground, but capable of producing a good atmosphere. The fact that we had 5,000 there probably helped, although the home fans do try. The Palace Ultras and Holmesdale Fanatics are in the Holmesdale end which is towards the Western end of the stadium. They’re good value, and model themselves on the “Ultras” of the continent, based on teams like Juventus and Lazio in Italy.
A good day out for all to be had at Selhurst Park.
we travelled to the ground by train to Norwood junction.ground only a 5 minute walk away. had a drink in the weatherspoons before hand.
on getting to the ground ordered a beer which was a bottle of carling for £3.60 no other option available. forget about getting food or drink at half time unless you come away 10 minutes before the whistle.
home support was fairly poor even when they went ahead on 2 seperate occasions, there was very little noise from them.
returned to the weatherspoons after the game to wait for the rush to settle .to be told . only regulars would be aloud in.
many supporters wore colours,and didn’t see or hear of any trouble outside of the ground.
we had been told by police in the ground that the area had trouble with local gangs and if we were to hang around after the game to keep that in mind .
all in all a good day away.
Another long trip into South London makes this one of the hardest grounds to get to from a northern clubs point of view. It has been some years (early 80′s) since I last visited this ground & although all sections are now covered it has an old fashioned feel about the place which I quite like (although the seats were not used for anything other than standing on) . Making our way to the ground we stopped in another part of London for a few pints so cannot really comment on the local scene but once inside the ground I can tell you the locals were more than a match for the 6,000 Leeds fans vocally (which doesnt happen often!). up there with the Swans for last seasons best home fans. They were helped by their biggest crowd of the season (20,000 +) & an early goal which eventually settled the match. (oh and a very annoying drummer!!)
All in all an old fashioned football experience..
I went to the Crystal Palace Vs. Cardiff game on Saturday and it was a decent away trip in terms of reasonably easy to get too and there was absolutely no trouble for away fans even if you were wearing colours.
However there was very little in terms of atmosphere from the home fans although they didn’t have anything to play for. My second complain would be you have very poor viewing in the stands with massive support polls blocking your view and I know some people who will not return for this reason.
all in all its an okay away ground
Pretty Long way into deepest South London this one, Heard for us northern fans as it takes around 1.5 hours from coming off the Motorway in North London so I recommend you stay on until as far as you can.
Lots of street parking if you don’t mind a 10-15 minute walk.
Pubs decent but lots are home only so you can either chance your luck without colours or head to the Spoons on Norwood High street which is safe and away friendly. Avoid The Whitehorse and The Portmanor were lots of the old school and Ultras drink and heard of incidents of away fans being attacked at both pubs.
The ground itself needs a massive facelift and the away stand is very traditional but not so comfy. Much better than these new style bowl stadiums though. Stewards pretty relaxed too.
Home atmosphere was loud and the sections in the Holmesdale stand behind the goal were constantly noisey for 90mins and put us to shame however we did only bring 300.
After the game it was hassle free getting back to the cars. Police always escort the Palace ultras back to their respected pubs so gave us a quick and easy route back to the car with no chance of trouble.
One of the better away days in the league although hard to get to if driving so expect traffic.