AWAY DAY GUIDE: BRISTOL ROVERS

 

A midweek trip to the West Country awaits as Colchester United make the long journey down to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday 1st September, with kick-off at 7:45pm at the Memorial Stadium.

 

It’s one of the many long away days this season, so a bit of planning goes a long way. Here’s everything you need to get there, get in, and make the most of matchday in Bristol.

 

The Details

  • Fixture: Bristol Rovers v Colchester United

  • Date: Tuesday 1st September 2026

  • Kick-off: 7:45pm

  • Venue: Memorial Stadium, Filton Avenue, Bristol, BS7 0BF

  • Away tickets: Tickets may still be available from the Away Ticket Office at Bristol Rovers. However, this cannot be guarenteed.

 

Getting To Bristol

It’s a proper trek from Essex, so give yourself plenty of time whichever way you’re travelling.

 

By train: There’s no direct route, so you’ll be looking at a change — typically via London, connecting from Liverpool Street across to Paddington before heading out on the Great Western line to Bristol Temple Meads. The fastest journeys take around 3 hours, so on a Tuesday evening kick-off, you’ll want to be looking at trains well before lunchtime to be safe, and thinking ahead about how you’ll get home afterwards given the late finish.

 

By car: It’s around 190 miles and roughly 3 hours door to door, typically via the M25 and M4 westbound, then picking up the M32 into Bristol. Traffic around the M25 and the Almondsbury Interchange near Bristol can add time, so build in a buffer for a 7:45pm kick-off. 

 

Getting To The Stadium

Bristol Rovers actively encourage supporters to leave the car behind for this one — parking at the ground itself isn’t available on matchdays, and space in the surrounding streets is limited.

 

Trains: The nearest station to the Memorial Stadium is Ashley Down, on Muller Road, about a 20-minute walk to the ground. Filton Abbey Wood and Montpelier are also both within 3km and served by trains from Temple Meads, Gloucester, Cardiff Central and Taunton. If you’re coming into Temple Meads itself, that’s about three miles from the ground — best to jump on a bus or taxi rather than walk it.

 

Buses: The stadium is within 50 metres of bus stops on Filton Avenue, served by the number 72, 73, 74 and 77 — between them offering 7-9 services an hour on matchdays. The 17, 71, 75, 76 and T2 also stop at the top of Gloucester Road, a short walk away. Use TravelWest.info to plan your route.

 

Park & Ride: Parkway North Park & Ride, on Hunts Ground Road in Stoke Gifford (BS34 8PU), is a solid option if you are driving. From there, take the 71 bus southbound and get off at Churchways Avenue — a 5-minute walk to the ground.

 

Private car parks: A few options if you’d rather book ahead:

  • Tesco Superstore, Lime Trees Road, Bristol BS6 7XW — about a 15-minute walk to the stadium (book via MyParkingSpace)

  • Filton Road Car Park, 154 Filton Road, Bristol BS7 0PG — pay and display, about a 25-minute walk

 

Bear in mind Bristol operates a Clean Air Zone in the city centre, with non-compliant vehicles charged between £9-£100 to drive through — worth checking your vehicle before you set off.

 

On foot from the city centre: If you’re basing yourselves in Bristol city centre or around Gloucester Road for the day, the walk up to the ground from the bottom of Gloucester Road takes around 45-60 minutes — not short, but it’s a genuinely good pre-match walk past a huge stretch of independent shops, cafes and pubs. Alternatively, hop on one of the buses above for the last stretch.

 

At The Stadium

Away supporters are located in the South Stand, accessed through the away turnstiles off Filton Avenue — follow the signage and stewarding on the day, and if in doubt, ask any matchday steward for directions to the away entrance.

 

What3words references for the ground, courtesy of the club:

  • Main Stadium Location: asset.recall.composers

  • Memorial Gate Entrance: calls.plus.risen

  • Main Gate: former.cable.beams

  • Trubshaw Close: brain.ramp.secret

 

Accessibility: Bristol Rovers provide 6 wheelchair spaces for away fans, along with an area for ambulant disabled supporters within the South Stand, which is under cover with easy access to nearby accessible toilets. Away supporters needing accessible parking or a wheelchair space should contact the club’s Disability Access Officer, Clare McDonagh, in advance — spaces are allocated first-come, first-served. The Bristol Rovers Disabled Supporters’ Association also offers to liaise with visiting clubs’ disabled fans ahead of matchday; you can reach them at BRFCDSA@gmail.com.

 

What’s Nearby

With a 7:45pm kick-off, there’s time to make an afternoon of it before heading to the ground.

 

Gloucester Road is right on the doorstep of the Memorial Stadium and is one of the longest stretches of independent shops, cafes and bars in the country — a great spot to grab food or a pre-match pint. A few away-friendly options worth knowing about:

  • The Wellington — a large Bath Ales pub near the top of Gloucester Road, known for being welcoming to away fans and good for pub food

  • The Drapers Arms — a relaxed micropub serving local ales, a bit further down Gloucester Road

  • The Sportsman — good value pub food and beer, though can get busy on matchdays

 

Worth noting: pubs directly on Filton Avenue, right by the ground, tend to be firmly home-fan territory, so Gloucester Road is the better bet for a relaxed pre-match pint.

 

If you fancy exploring further afield before making your way up to the ground, Stokes Croft — Bristol’s bohemian, street-art-covered cultural quarter — is a short bus or taxi ride from Gloucester Road and worth a wander if you’ve got the time. Bristol’s city centre, harbourside and Clifton Village are also all easily reachable if you’re arriving early in the day.

 

Food & Drink At The Ground

Away supporters have their own bar and hot food kiosk inside the stadium, both located in the away supporters’ section. Typical offerings include a range of draught and bottled drinks at the bar, plus pies, pasties and sausage rolls at the kiosk, usually with a vegetarian or gluten-free option available. Meal deals combining food and a drink are generally available — worth asking at the kiosk on the day for current pricing.

 

It’s also worth swinging by the Fanzone before you go through the turnstiles — open to all matchday visitors, with food, drink and entertainment typically on offer, including big-screen football.

 

Bristol Rovers usually run a Happy Hour on draught pints for a window before kick-off and again after the final whistle — a nice one to look out for on a midweek evening, though exact timings and prices can vary, so keep an eye on signage at the bars on the day.