Man City
If
going by train then you can get a ticket to Ashburys (see below), which is quite
close to the ground, for the same price as Piccadilly or Victoria.
If you decide to drive over then I haven't any first-hand knowledge of parking
around the new ground. Parking in the streets around the ground is residents
only, so you either have to park some distance away or use a car park. There's
an official car park, but it could take you up to an hour to get out after the
game. Smaller unofficial car parks cost the same, but you'll probably get out
much quicker.
Pubs
There aren't many pubs around the ground, and most of those that there are
should be avoided. The Townley, only a five minute walk from the ground, should
though be ok if you get there early and are discrete. The Grove Inn, a 10 minute
walk away, is also ok. When travelling over by train our
usual pre-match haunt has traditionally been the Waldorf, near Piccadilly.
It's a proper pub with a good range of beers, and it does food. Alternatively,
some of our lot prefer Sinclairs, which is a Sam
Smiths pub over towards
Victoria. Being Sams, it
has cheap beer. However, they no longer have hand pumps, plus they'll only serve
you in plastic glasses.
It goes without saying that there
are a few Wetherspoons outlets around. To be avoided is the Manchester and
County (the one in Piccadilly Gardens), which can be a bit dodgy. If arriving at
Victoria then you might want to try out the Seven Stars. The Waterhouse is
apparently not your typical Spoons and gets good reviews. It's a bit out the way
for Man City mind. Right next door to he Waterhouse is the City Arms, which is a
belting pub with around eight real ales on at any one time
Getting to the ground
One way is to catch a train from Piccadilly to Ashburys, which is a 15 minute
walk from the ground. Trains leave at 3, 18 and 48 minutes after the hour, and it
takes 4 minutes. coming back it's 4, 7 and 34 minutes after. A ticket to Piccadilly or Victoria is valid through to Ashburys.
Alternatively you could walk all the way, which should take you 25-30 minutes.
The bus is a better bet. Service and special buses leave from the north side of
Piccadilly Gardens (outside Nobles Amusements), and it's £1 single. Finally there is of course the
taxi option.
Pub map
City centre pub map
Internet
Ground Guide