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.
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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
Taxis
There are several taxi companies in London that can take you to and from the stadium. 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?
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.
Click here to see all hotels near Upton Park
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.
You need to be careful around Upton Park. It is a tough area an a lot of West Ham fans live up to their reputation.
looking at the pubs that are shown on there i wouldnt have a problem about the the central pubs, i went in there and all was good between two sets of fans, a friendly atmosphere, drink is a tad expensive.
the only time i ever went upton park was when we played in the league cup with them the stewards was too busy conatining the away fan and let the home fans roam wild but one other word of warning if you are a away supporter keep your shirt covered its a big problem espically if your one of there rivals
Spot on fans and ground, Went in 3 of the local boozers all the home fans were sound. View was good but no ale in the away end. Any way good place to go
Seeing as I’m a West Ham fan, I though I’d help you’s all out.
The Central is a good’en for the away supporters.. The Home supporters won’t start with you, they’re friendly in there.
The Boleyn is a deffo NO-GO.
You can easily park round the side-streets of Barking Road. It may be slightly hard to find a spot but there are plenty of roads there, for you to park safely.
as a west ham fan I have been in The Boleyn on more than one unfortunate occasion and I would never do so ever again! Excluding the fact that it is a bee hive for violence, it takes AGES to get served and you can’t move for toffee! apart from that, I stand by the fact that the police are on it whenever there is thought to be trouble, and I have only seen trouble once outside the boozers.
The duke is generally west ham – however I have seen the odd away fan in there with no issues. It really does depend on what team you support. The few obvious rival teams are best to stay clear of the home pubs and avoid wearing colours until you get extremely close or into the stadium.
All in all We are a friendly bunch generally and my dad took me as a wee nipper and everything was great!
I love the stadium – despite those stupid castles on the front – and I have an amazing day everytime I go.
Good day out, plently of decent boozers (theres a few you shoud avoid like the plague).
West Ham fans can be quite intimidating at times but the ones i met seemed like nice fellas.
theres not much trouble these days at the pubs but use your head dont walk in the pubs and start shouting your mouth off save it for the game the queen is a great pub and an all round great day out
Decent day out, absolute dive of an area but good atmosphere in the ground. View is ok, lower tier though. Half time chaos as only small concourse. Denmark Arms is a good pub for away fans, 10 min walk down barking road.. Much better than going to Tottenham anyway..
Fans gave us no trouble around the ground, walked throught the streets before the game in club colours and got no stick.
Good atmosphere inside the ground, we outsung the west ham fans they didn’t sing bubbles as loud as i thought they would. Considering i’m only 17 i thought 39 quid was a bit expensive but hey ho it was first game of the season so it was worth it. Don’t go to upton park after the game it is stupidly packed! Go to East Ham or Canning Town or Plaistow. Crap result but overall good day out #UTV
Look for a place called the Denmark for a decent place to drink. About 15 min walk from the ground
We didn’t drink in the local pubs as being Chelsea. We stayed in Tower Hill then got the district line to Upton Park. Its a little bit of a walk to the ground we should of left a little earlier. Walking up to the ground look out for the 1st set of stewards who will guide you away from the home fans towards to away end (you cant just walk around the stadium). Inside the ground there’s plenty of room, didn’t sit down once but nice to stand. On TV bubbles looks like it might deafen you, but it was pretty poor to be honest. Expected a lot more from the Hammers chant-wise but being a early kick off maybe they was still half asleep surprisingly they woke up when they went 3-1 ahead. At half time there was no chance of getting a beer we sold out our allocation 2,500ish but to get to the toilet or go for beer/eat at half time was impossible. Never seen something so packed! After the game coming out the end we had to be quite due to a mosque having pray time good too see Chelsea lot with some respect too (Even after watching us lose 3-1 and having a fat Spanish waiter as our manager)
You can not beat watching the hammers at home,great fans and can be intimidating for away fans,as i have seen for some stupid gobby Newcastle,Portsmouth and Man City fans found out,on the whole as long as you are not a rival or mouthy, you can get away with walking to the ground with out any hassle,as for the pubs,i have seen Blackburn fans enjoying a beer in the Queens without any confrontation,also i would be careful around the local areas ie; Canning Town,Barking,Plaistow etc some of them pubs certainly don`t like away fans,and are more your hardcore West Ham………… C.O.Y.I
I will be visiting Upton Park on 5th Jan 13 for the upcoming Hammers-devils tie. Really wondering if I can take my camera to the ground? John mentioned in 2009 that camera is not allowed. Is that really the case still now?
Thanks,
Andy
I understand the The Valentine in Gants Hill is where most reds are meeting on Saturday. It’s about 25 mins from the ground by tube, but far enough away from the Bubbles. The pub looks massive, drink and room for 1000′s of reds
A good option for a pub is the Black Lion in Plaistow. Its about a 10 min walk from the stadium but is an excellent boozer.
Great old fashioned ground similar to Craven Cottage.
I went there when we played them last month. Best ground in England, and to some of them think-they’re-hard Chelsea fans, they sing louder than any club in England. Great fans, great day out, amazing atmosphere. Come on Man Utd! Intimidating fans too.
if your any away fan keep shirts or anything with your teams badge, colours covered. not the nicest place to go to. Train and car is easy to get to its just after the game when the traffic starts so park a 10 min walk i would say to leave you time to jog to your car but for a Spurs Fan its a horrible place to go to and i will be going to this monday night game.
COYS
Went to West ham a few months ago, really nice old fashioned ground but West Ham still partly have that hooligan element and I found the ground quite intimidating. We had a police escort down Green Street before/after the game and quite a few coins were thrown at us. West ham were quite loud but we absolutely sung our hearts and drowned them out. Don’t wear colours.
Although I hate west ham, they have the best atmosphere in the league with amazing fans. A few of our lot went in queens and the boleyn and got chased, they definitely still have some hooligans. Very intimidating, but loud fans. Bubbles was absoulutley deafening. DesPite winning 3-2 we couldn’t enjoy it till we were outta that area. Definitely need to be careful round there. They even sung loudly walking down Green street! Quality fans but 3-2 to us! COYS!!!!