London City Lionesses – Princes Park

Princes Park stadium is a football ground in Dartford, England. It is the home of London City Lionesses, an independent breakaway club previously known as Millwall Lionesses before the transfer of Millwall’s championship licence.

Having opened in 2006, this is not just another drab stadium like so many others lately built across the country; it is anything but ordinary. This is mainly owing to its environmental qualities since it is the UK’s most environmentally friendly football stadium to date.

These credentials include collecting rainwater for use within the stadium, producing its electricity from solar panels, using timber beams to support the roof– which, incidentally, has green vegetation covering to provide insulation and help the stadium blend in with its surroundings– and having the pitch sunken below the surrounding ground level to reduce noise and light pollution, among other things.

Of course, there’s the Wooden or Oak Man as well. This massive wooden sculpture stands within the stadium, arms raised high to support the roof from afar. It is, without a doubt, one-of-a-kind.

The Main Stand is on one side. This stand is entirely seated, with only four rows of 645 spectators, the team dugouts in the front, and a glassed section in the back with the clubhouse bar and other amenities. Like the rest of the stadium, the roof is elevated above the viewing area and has a modest oval shape.

The stadium’s other three sides are made up of modest terraced terraces around seven rows high. The Wooden Man sculpture stands on the deck opposite the Main Stand, keeping a close eye on the activities. The stadium is fenced on all four sides. However, these areas are not used by spectators. A series of four floodlight pylons completes the stadium.

How to Get to Princes Park

By Road

After crossing the Dartford Crossing, which costs £2 per car, exit the motorway at Junction 1b and take the left-hand slip road towards A225 Dartford. Turn right at the roundabout at the end of the slip road above the highway onto the A225 towards Dartford. Continue straight across the next roundabout, passing a BP service station on the right. Turn left at the next set of traffic lights into Darenth Road, then turn left onto Grassbanks to reach the stadium.

By Rail

Princes Park is slightly over a mile distant from Dartford Railway Station. Trains run from Charing Cross and London Bridge to the station. If you leave the station following the pedestrian signage for the Orchard Shopping Centre, take the steps down to the roadside just before the bridge crossing the major road.

A row of bus stops, including the Fastrack B bus stop, can be found just to the left. This service travels to the Bluewater Shopping Centre every 10 minutes throughout the day and every 20 minutes in the night, stopping at Princes Park. Adults pay £1, and children pay 50p for one way. A taxi from the station to the stadium, on the other hand, will cost roughly £5.

If you want to walk, the ground is around a 15-20 minute walk away. Keep to the left along the main road and take the exit labelled Central London at the roundabout. Descend the steps as described above or at the bottom of the station approach road A2. Cross over at the next traffic light and continue straight on the wide walkway alongside the dedicated bus route.

When the pathway comes to an end, continue up Darenth Road and turn right. Continue along Darenth Road to Princes Road, which is the main thoroughfare. At the traffic lights, make a U-turn. If you wish to go to the Malt Shovel pub, go up the hill after crossing the traffic lights and turn right on Darenth Road, the first road on the right. The Malt Shovel pub is on the right after you turn right.

If you want to catch a bus back into town after the match, remember the bus shelter located on the left, just in front of you, as you cross the road. Continue straight up Darenth Road, then turn left into Grassbanks and up the hill to the parking park and the ground.

Where to Park?

At the stadium, there is a free parking lot with 300 places. If parking is full, cars will be routed to the Orchards Shopping Centre Car Park, which costs £2 for three to four hours.

Away Friendly Pubs near Princes Park

There is a small bar named the Defluo Bar at the stadium that is exclusively for away fans. Sky television is also available in this bar. The car park at the stadium’s away end is where you’ll find the entrance. The stadium also has two good-sized pubs, both of which have Sky television. These, on the other hand, are aimed mostly at home fans.

The Ivy Leaf on Darenth Road, roughly a five-minute walk from the ground, is the closest bar. Turn right down Darenth Road from the stadium entrance, cross the main road at the traffic lights, and the pub will be on the right further up Darenth Road. The Malt Shovel, which also serves meals, is located farther down the same road. The CAMRA Good Beer Guide lists both of these establishments.

Otherwise, Dartford Town Centre is only a 15-minute walk away, where there are numerous bars. The CAMRA Good Beer Guide lists Wat Tyler on the High Street, the Paper Moon Wetherspoons outlet across the street, and the Flying Boat Wetherspoons outlet on Spital Street.

Hotels Near Princes Park

Here are some hotels near Princes Park:

  • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel – 2.1 km away from Princes Park Stadium
  • Holiday Inn Express London – 2 km away from Princes Park Stadium
  • Royal Victoria & Bull Hotel – 1.3 km away from Princes Park Stadium
  • The Fulwich – 920 m away from Princes Park Stadium

What Have Other Away Fans said About Their Trip to Princes Park?

Away fans are housed in the Car Park End if segregation is in effect. This covered terrace can accommodate 700 fans. In addition, the Car Park End has made 38 seats available on one side of the Main Stand. With no supporting structures to contend with, the pitch’s sightlines are excellent.

Even though the stadium is completely enclosed, the ground feels relatively open due to the enormous space between the back of the seats and the stadium top. Although this allows for more light and air to enter the stadium, it also allows more wind and rain to enter.

Princes Park is a lovely, well-designed, and inviting venue. If segregation is not enforced, the clubhouse is accessible from within the stadium and features a large bar area with ample seating. All of the amenities were acceptable, including a space in each of the four corners of the ground for wheelchairs and their attendants if needed. The stewarding is relaxed, polite, and unobtrusive.

Outside Princes Park

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Princes Park Seating Plan

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Princes Park Directions

London City Lionesses Twitter

Stadium Key Facts

  • Capacity: 4,100 (Seated 645)
  • Address: Darenth Road, Dartford, DA1 1RT
  • Pitch Size: 100 x 65 metres
  • Pitch Type: Grass
  • Year Ground Opened: 2006
  • Record Attendance: 4,097
  • Club Name: London City Lionesses
  • Official Website: https://www.londoncitylionesses.com/
  • Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LondonCityLionesses/
  • Construction Cost: £7 million
  • Owner: Dartford Borough Council
  • Coordinates: 51.4367° N, 0.2306° E

Princes Park FAQ’s

When did Princes Park open?

Princes Park opened on the 17th of November in 2006.

Who owns Princes Park?

The owner of Princes Park is Dartford District.

What was the construction cost for Princes Park?

The construction cost for Princes Park was 7 Million pounds.

What is the Princes Park address?

The address for Princes Park is Darenth Road, Dartford DA1 1RT.

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