West Ham United – Boleyn Ground (Upton Park)
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The Boleyn Ground, known to most fans as Upton Park, is an all seater stadium with a capacity of 35,300. It is the home ground of West Ham United.
The club undertook substantial redevelopment of the ground from the early 1990s onwards. In 1993, the South Bank terrace was replaced by a two-tier stand name after former skipper Bobby Moore, who died earlier that year.
In 1995, the North Bank was replaced by the two-tier Centenary Stand, the lower tier of which is allocated to away supporters. Seats were also installed in the “Chicken Run” to the front of the East Stand. In 2001, the West Stand was replaced by the two-tier Dr. Martens Stand, incorporating the West Ham United Hotel (see below).
Relegation in 2003 caused plans for future development to be placed on hold, and any plans are now dependent on the club re-establishing itself as a Premiership side.
How to get to the Boleyn Ground (Upton Park)
By Road:
The Boleyn Ground is located in Green Street, Upton Park, London E13 9AZ.
Drivers arriving from the North should follow the A406 (North Circular Road) as far as the A124. Follow Barking Road for some 1½ miles, turning right at the traffic lights into Green Street. The ground is located on the right.
The recommended route from the South is via the Blackwall Tunnel and A13 to Canning Town. Follow the signage fro the A124 (East Ham) for about 1¾ miles before turning left into Green Street.
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By Rail:
N.B. West Ham tube station is nowhere near the ground.The nearest tube station is Upton Park, on the District Line, a short walk from the ground. Upton Park tube station becomes very overcrowded after matches. Several visiting fans have recommended avoiding the queues by walking to the next station, Plaistow, which is only a 10-minute walk away. It can be reached by turning left after Upton Park tube station into Harold Road and bearing left at its end into Pelly Road and Clegg Street. At the T-junction, turn right into Plaistow High Street and Plaistow tube station is located on the left. Click here to check the current train timetables
By Air:
London City Airport is within 3 miles of the ground. The London City Airport Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station is connected to the airport terminal making transport to and from the airport fast and convenient. The DLR provides regular connections from London City Airport to Canning Town. The recommended tube route to Upton Park is to join the Jubilee Line at Canning Town, changing at West Ham to the District Line, disembarking at Upton Park, a total journey time of about ½ hour. Click here to check the current flight times
Where to Park?
Parking around the ground is well nigh impossible and public transport is definitely recommended. However, there is a pay and display car park at Newham General Hospital, a 15-minute walk from the stadium. From Barking Road, drive past the ground, turning left into Prince Regent Lane .
Away Friendly Pubs near the Boleyn Ground (Upton Park)
Most of the pubs around the ground are for home supporters only. The Boleyn, Queens, Greengate, and Central pubs on Barking Road should all definitely be avoided. Millers Well, opposite East Ham Town Hall is recommended, but is a 20-minute walk away. The Denmark Arms, in the same area, has also been recommended by several visiting fans. Nearer the ground, the Duke Of Edinburgh, close to Upton Park station has also been described as “okay.”
Hotels near the Boleyn Ground (Upton Park)
The 3-star West Ham United Hotel is set within the grounds of the football club and has attracted consistently good guest reviews. The unique setting will create an exciting, memorable environment for your stay. Just a short walk from the nearest Tube station, with London City Airport less than 3 miles away, it is easily accessible by road or rail. Free on-site parking is available.
The Express By Holiday Inn London-Royal Docks, 1 Silvertown Way, Canning Town, Newham, London, E16 1EA is within 1½ miles of London City Airport. Guests report comfortable accommodation and modern facilities. Outside the congestion charge zone, it has excellent access to transport links with Canning Town tube station and the DLR within a 5-minute walk. Secure on-site parking is available.
What have other Away Fans said about their trip to the Boleyn Ground (Upton Park)?
Many visiting fans have remarked upon the compact nature of the ground and its lively atmosphere. However, several have pointed out that the atmosphere can be daunting for away supporters and advise an element of caution near the ground.
Visiting supporters were almost universal in their praise of the Centenary Stand, with “superb” seats and a “fantastic” view of play. The most common complaint was the poorly positioned refreshment outlets, leading to huge queues, particularly at half-time.
I visited Upton Park with the club’s official coaches – the first and last time I will ever do so! Despite leaving home 8 hours before kickoff, we arrived at the ground with only 10 minutes to spare (some bright spark decided we were a bit early, so wed sit at a service station on the m25 for an hour, then we hit an accident and were stuck in traffic for the next hour) – the return journey wasn’t much better, taking more than 7 hours to do what is a 4 hour journey for anyone else!
We didn’t have time to partake in any food/drink at/around the ground, so it was straight into the game. The view was pretty decent, and I loved the look of the home stands – nice and steep and imposing, meaning everyone’s close to the action. The home crowd seemed really passionate, and it made for a brilliant atmosphere inside the ground. I can’t wait to go back – but not on the club’s coaches!
A word of warning: don’t attempt to take any photos during the game. Stewards spent the entire game threatening anyone who took out a phone/camera that it would be confiscated.
few fans realise it is an offence to take photo,s while the game is being played,down to copyright laws,petty though it may seem but thats the LAW.Most stewards dont like enforcing it but they get there orders from the suits above.