Craven Cottage Sports Fan Tips
Craven Cottage is a venue in or near London that is most often used for Soccer
Best Pubs around Craven Cottage?
For those arriving via Hammersmith Station entrance, a local pub called the Crabtree is a favorite for a mixture of home and away supporters for pre or post-match drinks and is around a 10 minute walk away. This traditional "country pub” also provides food and have a garden which is perfect for the family in the summer pre-match and the relaxed lounge area makes it a useful meeting place before or after the game. You will be looking at around £3.50-£4.10 for a pint and £1.15 for a packet of crisps which although seems expensive it is fairly reasonable for London priced pubs.Alternatively, 15 minutes in the opposite direction is The Eight Bells which is another popular watering hole for the home fans however it has a smaller capacity which means if you don't get there early on match day, you won't get in. It is considered a 17th-century tavern style that sells traditional English pub food which is why it is a favorite for the older fans and families.Both of these venues have great atmospheres, particularly on match day, and are fairly friendly to locals and away fans so mingling shouldn't be an option. For nice weather conditions, walking to the stadium from these will lead you along a scenic river walk which shouldn't be missed either.
Craven Cottage seating?
The home team is situated in The Hammersmith End, The Riverside Stand and The Johnny Haynes Stand of the stadium and it is notorious for its noise and buzzing atmosphere. This is where the most passionate supporters are located and where you will hear the most chanting from so for some people who are looking for atmosphere, these are some of the best seats in the house. The Riverside Stand also houses the corporate hospitality areas and the director seats and have some of the most expensive tickets as there is a bar for hospitality guests as well (you have to book packages to get these).That being said, there are restricted view seats in the Johnny Haynes stand due to the age of the construction so you should always check before you purchase your tickets in this area. Restricted view seating are usually discounted and there are also some at craven cottage corner or near either goalmouth because of the age of the stadium.For mixed seats and away supporters, The Putney End houses between 1800 – 3000 away tickets depending on the level of support.Current ticket prices for Grade C matches means you will be looking at £30 for the far sides of the Riverside stands and £50 for the center of the Johnny Haynes stand. Grade A matches however increase to around £49 - £70 in price.
What to expect from the Craven Cottage crowd?
The away supporters are mixed into The Putney End stand and this is the only stand that allows away supporters at all but the atmosphere is normally noisy and buzzing in this friendly atmosphere with plenty of banter. However, it is important to note that there is an outdated rivalry between Fulham and Gillingham that although haven't played in the same league for 11 years it still runs strong in many of the older fans so avoiding those colors and kit on matchday is probably wise (it's probably not considered dangerous nowadays but rather be safe than sorry).One of the easiest places to purchase gear or kit from is the online shop on the Fulham website so that you are ready for match day but if you are looking for a memento then there are plenty of stalls selling scarfs and other items around the stadium. You can also purchase an official match program on the day outside the stadium for £3.50 and it is a recommended souvenir for the day.
Best Food and Drink at Craven Cottage?
There are a few options for refreshments in the stadium and these include mobile and permanent outlets by the Hammersmith turnstiles and behind the stand. There are also mobile units near the perimeter wall that runs alongside the river. Food and drink is available around 90 minutes before kick-off time serving a range of hot and cold items such as burgers, sandwiches, pies and hot dogs as well as crisps, snacks and soft drinks.Alcohol is also served at the venue and a range of wine and beer is available to those with ID up until 10 minutes before Kick off or 15 minutes before half-time after it has re-opened. That being said, there are no alcoholic drinks to be consumed "within sight of the pitch” which means you can't take alcohol to the stands with you.There is a Riverside Bar available in the Riverside Terrace in the Hammersmith end which offers live broadcasts of other sporting events (e.g. 6 Nations Rugby) for those wanting to visit the stadium rather than games.
Best restaurants near Craven Cottage?
While the area surrounding Craven Cottage is fairly residential it does mean it is a little further to walk to get to a decent restaurant. That being said there is Fishers Fish & Chips only a 15 minute walk from the stadium and serves traditional British Fish and Chips restaurant style, plus you can make reservations and sit outside along the waterfront on warm days.For something a little lighter, The Drawing Room Café situated 15-20 minutes away from the stadium in Fulham palace offers snacks, tea and refreshments in a stunning setting with great views. It is not as well known among tourists either so on wetter days or poorer weather it can be quite empty and peaceful.Alternatively, if you are looking for an evening restaurant to transition from day to night, you could make a reservation at the popular Italian/Mediterranean restaurant "Luna Nuova” which is particularly preferred by large groups post-football. With a great atmosphere, service and delicious food and cuisine, it also offers gluten free options for those with intolerances and does not have long wait times in busy periods thanks to the excellent service.The further into London or back towards Putney station the more options you have for takeaway or restaurants in the area so you could also consider waiting to get back for something more substantial.
Things to check out around Craven Cottage?
The regular stadium tours run several times per week on the weekend and a Friday which allows you to visit the trophy display lounge, the Johnny Haynes stature, dugout, changing rooms and Cottage balcony and on a Sunday there is a special option that includes Sunday lunch in the offer. It costs around £12 (more for the lunch addition) and although you can just walk up on the day, booking is recommended (particularly on the weekend or for larger groups.)For the tourist of the group, Hammersmith Apollo Theatre is only a mile up the road which means that you can make an evening of it and book theatre tickets after a match, especially if you are staying in London for the night as there are excellent transport links. It is a favorite among comedy legends with many comedians recording their live shows there so it is worth seeing what is showing.
Best Insider tip at Craven Cottage?
Currently a tour option for Craven Cottage is available via Red Letter Days that involves the tour of; dugouts, dressing rooms, press facilities, corporate hospitality areas and the Cottage Balcony as well as a three-course lunch served in the on-site George Cohen restaurant, all for £45 per person.Also, there is family seating areas that are more child-friendly in the stadium and although it is at your own risk, children are allowed to go and stand further to the front of their seats so they get a decent view of the stadium (as long as they are not impeding others obviously).
How do I get to Craven Cottage?
As a London stadium, public transport links are fairly frequent and if you are coming from inside London you simply need to get a train to Putney Bridge which is direct from either Victoria or Paddington Railway station for a 19 minute journey. From there it is a 10-20 minute walk from the station to the stadium. Alternatively if you don't mind a longer walk (of around 20-35 minutes) you can get the tube to Hammersmith by getting on the Circle line or Hammersmith & City line. If you are travelling in and around London for the day it is worth getting a travel card which will allow you full access to the under and over-ground train/tube services which will be around £12-£15.Getting the train into London for those travelling regionally will require you to get to London Victoria or London Bridge Railway stations and take the underground from there to eventually end in Putney.Alternatively, for those who would prefer the bus you can catch the 220 bus from Hammersmith which takes you a couple of minutes' walk away from the stadium. Taxis are also available on the day (although it is cheaper to pre-book or share with others) and cost will vary depending on how far out you are travelling from.