Visiting Sandy Park

Travelling arrangements to Sandy Park

There is no on-site parking at the Sandy Park Stadium other than for those who hold passes and the disabled. However, the club has worked very hard on a transport strategy which affords ease of access to both home supporters and visiting fans.

NEW TRAVEL PLANS FOR 2010/11 SEASON

Exeter Chiefs are teaming up with First Great Western and Dartline Coaches to help rugby enthusiasts from around the South West enjoy the action of the Aviva Premiership this season.

With crowds at Sandy Park expected to soar as Rob Baxter and his squad prepare to tackle English rugby’s top flight for the first time in the club’s history, so the Chiefs want to assist their ever loyal fan-base and those from visiting clubs with transportation needs for the new season.

Among the new plans launched by the club today is the introduction of a new scheme – in conjunction with First Great Western – who are prepared to offer a 10% discount to adult supporters and a 50% reduction to children under 16 in possession of a season ticket or match-day ticket.

The scheme means supporters will be able to attend Sandy Park, via the nearby Digby & Sowton station, from across the region with return prices coming in at: Penzance £15, Redruth £15, Truro £13, Barnstaple £7.20, Plymouth £6.50, Paignton/Torquay £5.40, Tiverton Parkway £4, Newton Abbot £4, Dawlish/Dawlish Warren/Teignmouth £3.50, Exmouth £2.60, Exeter St Davids/Central £2.10.

Also included in the new arrangement will be a texting service where supporters will be able to check the running timetable from their mobile phones or alternatively they can call 08457 48 49 50 to get instant updates on train times.

Link to First Great Western - http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk

The main Exeter to Exmouth line runs right past the stadium and runs a very regular service on match days. With a station at Digby Holt and the installation of the new bridge over the A379, Digby Holt is less than 10 minutes walk from Sandy Park.

As well as the new scheme from FGW, the club have also linked up with Dartline Coaches to offer transportation to the game via a new ‘Jurassic Coast’ bus service, which will have pick-up points at Lyme Regis, Seaton, Beer, Sidford Crossroads, Sidmouth, Newton Poppleford and Clyst St Mary.
The service will start in Lyme Regis at 11.15am and will arrive at Sandy Park by 1pm. Following the match, the return service will depart the stadium at 6pm.

TIMETABLE

Lyme Regis	Central Bus Stop	11.15am
Seaton	Old Woolworths Bus Stop	11.35am
Beer		11.45am
Sidford	Crossroads	12.05pm
Sidmouth	Triangle	12.20pm
Newton Poppleford	Memorial Bus Stop	12.35pm
Clyst St Mary	Footbridge Bus Stop	12.55pm
Sandy Park		1pm

The coach will depart Sandy Park at 6pm following the final whistle.

Meanwhile, the existing 77 and 78 shuttle services, which pick up throughout Exeter City Centre, will again continue to run in operation for all home games with additional buses now running every 20 minutes.

No. 77 will start from Chantry Meadow in Alphington and No. 78 will start at Exeter St David’s station.

The cost of the new services will be £3 return with a reduced rate for under 16s of £2. These prices will reduce to £2 return and £1.50 for under 16s from Topsham Road on route 77 and Polsloe Bridge on route 78.

In addition there are plenty of normal bus routes which bring supporters close to the stadium, but these are the only services which will bring you to the actual gates of the stadium. 

Post-match departure times match day special buses:

The first after-match specials are scheduled to leave Sandy Park at 5pm and then 5.30pm, 6pm, 6.30pm, 7pm, with the last bus leaving at 7.30pm.

Link to Dartline Coaches -  http://www.dartline-coaches.co.uk

Local coach company, Stagecoach South West, are also offering an extra new service for supporters wishing to attend first team games.

The new ‘C’ bus shuttle service will run between Exeter Bus Station and Sandy Park, via Heavitree Fore Street and will commence three hours prior to kick-off and run approximately every 20 minutes, with the final service departing around two and a half hours after the end of the match. Fares are just £1 single and £2 return. They start at Exeter bus station before picking up at the Somerfields Supermarket at Heavitree and then onto Sandy Park itself.

Please note, this service is for Saturday games only and the timetable for each match will vary depending on the time of kick off. We would therefore recommend that fans check the 'service updates' section of the Stagecoach website - www.stagecoachbus.com/southwest - for details.'

TIMETABLE

Exeter Bus Station	12pm	12.30	12.50	1.10	1.30	1.40	1.50	2.00	2.10
Heavitree Somerfield	12.05	12.35	12.55	1.15	1.35	1.45	1.55	2.05	2.15
Sandy Park	12.17	12.37	1.07	1.27	1.47	1.57	2.07	2.17	2.27
Sandy Park	5.05	5.15	5.25	5.35	5.45	5.55	6.05	6.25	6.45
Heavitree Somerfield	5.15	5.25	5.35	5.45	5.55	6.05	6.15	6.35	6.55
Exeter Bus Station	5.23	5.33	5.43	5.53	6.03	6.13	6.23	6.43	7.03

Exeter Chiefs deputy chief executive, Kieron Northcott, said: “Following our promotion to the Aviva Premiership it was imperative we look closely at our transportation plans for the new season. We know crowds for games here at Sandy Park are going to increase considerably, so these new link ups with First Great Western, Dartline Coaches and Stagecoach comes at a great time for us.

“Our aim is to try and make match days a great day for everyone, whilst at the same time take the hassle out of travelling to the games. If you look at what is on offer, like for example travelling return from Barnstaple for £7, I’m sure a lot of people will take up the new schemes.”

CAR & TAXI DROP-OFF

There will be a drop-off zone as you enter the stadium complex from the A379 for taxis and those being dropped off by friends and relatives.

PARKING

Supporters wishing to travel by car must be aware that there is no on-site car parking at the stadium itself unless you hold the appropriate pass.

DISABLED SUPPORTERS

1 Any disabled parking spaces available at Sandy Park on a Match Day will be sold to wheelchair users only – and can only be booked from the Monday before the match.

2 All other disabled persons can book to park at Friends Provident, free of charge. We will require their name and car registration number when booking and they must display their Blue Badge on the day. 

3 A space will be reserved at Friends Provident where the shuttle bus stops so they don’t have to walk far from their vehicle to the shuttle bus

4 Friends Provident disabled parking can be booked for any match at any time - up till 48 hours before the match

There is disabled seating in the West Grandstand and it accommodates both the disabled person and a carer. This area can be easily accessed via the north turnstile. There are no stairs or lifts to negotiate. 

Carers are entitled to a complimentary ticket by calling the ticket line on 01392 890890.

PUBLIC CAR PARKS

While there is no parking on site the Chiefs have made arrangements for parking very close to the ground. The main car parks will be located at the nearby Westpoint Arena or Crealy Adventure Park with shuttle buses running regularly to and from Sandy Park. All car parks will be signposted clearly from Junction 30 on the M5.

RESIDENTS PARKING & CONTROLLED ZONES

The Chiefs would like to advise all supporters that there will be a controlled parking zone on all roads near the ground including Clyst Heath and Rydon Lane which will allow parking for residents only and the appropriate pass must be displayed. Anyone found parking in these areas without the appropriate pass will receive a parking ticket. The zones will be clearly displayed and patrolled by traffic wardens.

The Chiefs would like to ask all supporters to respect these controlled zones and think of the nearby residents at all times.

WALKING & CYCLING

Those wishing to travel by foot or bicycle can access the Stadium via the bridge over the A379 and via the rear of the complex from Old Rydon Lane. There will be a bicycle rack on site to park bikes during the game.

GETTING THERE EARLY

In the transport strategy agreed with the local authorities it is essential that there is a even spread of supporters arriving to and leaving the stadium. The Chiefs have arranged a range of entertainment to encourage supporters to arrive early and leave later. Details will be made available in advance via the club's ezine, local press and website.

THE MATCH DAY EXPERIENCE

The Chiefs have committed to providing their supporters with a complete match day experience starting when the gates open at noon right through into the early evening with the match itself being the highlight of the day.

The Chiefs have invested heavily in state of the art technology to add to the match day experience and each internal bar area will be provided with large drop-down screens to view previous Chiefs matches, Sky matches and internationals.

The previous week's Chiefs game will be shown on all internal screens from 12.30pm.

The facilities at the ground will provide ample bars and food outlets including the outside Piazza area at the rear of the Grandstand which will become a very popular area for meeting people before the game, again drink will be available in this area.

Please note that Sandy Park is a smoke-free zone stadium as well as in the bars. Plastic glasses are also only premitted in the outside areas.

Full details of each week's entertainment will be sent to all supporters by way of ezine which is the Chiefs' electronic newsletter and will be posted on the club's website. If you do not already receive the ezine and would like to please log on to the Chiefs' website at www.exeterchiefs.co.uk and register your email address.

Exeter Chiefs would like to actively support green initiatives and would therefore encourage all supporters to use public transport or if supporters do need to drive to encourage them to car share.

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Click here to view a general map and directions to Sandy Park

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Click here to view a Google Map of Sandy Park (note the post code for Sandy Park is relatively new so the exact location is not precise via online maps and satellite navigation systems. Although this will change with time we recommend you download the printable map and directions PDF for a more accurate view).