A guide for first-time visitors to the Park
We know that visiting a football ground for the first time can potentially be a confusing and daunting experience. That’s why we’ve put together some information about Exeter City Football Club, for those planning to make their first trip to St James Park.
Location:
St James Park is located in the heart of Exeter, and like many traditional stadiums, is built right into the surrounding community and is situated a short walk from the city centre.
The full address is: St James Park, Stadium Way, Exeter, EX4 6PX.The stadium holds a capacity of 8219 before segregation and any unused away capacity. For detailed information about visiting the Park, please refer to the Getting Here section of the website.
Away Fans:
St James Park has undergone a large redevelopment which has seen a new covered away standing terrace which holds a little over 1,000 away fans.
Click here to read our dedicated away fan guide.
The Stands:
The Nevada Construction Warehouse Stand, which was opened in 2001, runs along the length of the pitch and offers a great view of the action at both ends of the ground. It is a covered all-seater stand, which from the 2015/16 season will house home fans in blocks E to K, and away fans only in blocks L and M. The Main Stand seats just over 2,100 fans, as well as offering several executive boxes for a premium match experience and an excellent view of the match.
On the opposite side of the pitch is the Optimising IT Adam Stansfield Stand. the new 1,600 capacity Stand, has replaced the former Old Grandstand that had stood since 1926.
The new single tiered stand is all seated and is a huge improvement on the old Grandstand, offering better spectator facilities and views of the playing action . Like its predecessor it does not run the full length of the pitch, due to the very close proximity of a railway line running behind the corner of the ground, and is in fact slightly closer to the away terrace so it can be rectangular, the old one being tapered. New toilet and refreshment facilities for the Big Bank terrace are now sited in the triangular are to the side.
The Thatchers Cider Big Bank has a reputation of being the loudest and most buoyant of the stands. It is a covered standing-only terrace with a maximum capacity of just under 4,000. The terrace is behind the goal, which offers an ideal view of goalmouth action at that end of the pitch.
The fourth area, behind the other goal, is the Tracks Suzuki St James Road Terrace, which is for away fans only. A little over 1,000 away fans can fit in the terrace, which is standing-only.
Both the Main Stand and the Thatchers Big Bank have disabled bays and an access ramp, and there is a designated area for disabled parking. Click here for our disability policy, and click here for more information about disability ticketing at St James Park. Please also refer to the Stadium Plan for a layout of the stadium by clicking here.
Tickets:
- While the majority of matches are not all-ticket, we highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance. Not only are tickets cheaper when purchased in advance but they ensure you can avoid the queues on matchday. Buy advance tickets online or on your phone here
- If you decide to come to St James Park at the last minute, you can pay cash on the Big Bank turnstiles on the way into the stand, or by credit or debit card from the Ticket Booth in Red Square if you want to be seated.
- Please be sure to keep abreast of latest ticket news through the Tickets section on the website
- Please note that advance discount tickets can be purchased up until the day before a match. Tickets purchased on a matchday will be subject to an increase of £1 (£0.50 for U18s).
Tickets purchased online, or on the matchday should be collected at the ticket booth in red square.
Fan Zone
The Fan Zone houses the Exeter City club shop, an outside bar and the Junior Grecians Family Zone. There is also a dedicated catering van providing hot and cold delicious local produce.
The Centre Spot bar
The Centre Spot Bar welcomes both home and away fans, and is located in the ground, next to the VIP entrance and old Reception. The bar offers a large range of drinks, pool table and dart boards, all in a friendly atmosphere.
The Centre Spot is also home to The Famous Exeter City Real Ale and Cider Emporium, offering a great selection of real ales and ciders.
The Club Shop
The club shop offers a wide range of official Exeter City merchandise,including replica shirts, training wear, hats, scarves, gifts, souvenirs, programmes, books and much more.
The club shop is situated within the stadium and is joined with reception.
The Information Point
In the Fan Zone (opposite reception) is the ECFC Information point which can help with any questions home or away fans have about St James Park or Exeter City. We also have a team of ambassadors around the stadium who can help with your questions, or direct you around the ground. Look out for the blue tabards!
Refreshments
One of the most important part of any match day! We have a wide range of hot and cold drinks and snacks available at the kiosk for away fans.
HOT FOOD
MATCHDAY TIMETABLE
Parking & Travel:
Because parking at the stadium is extremely limited, there is no parking for supporters on stadium premises on matchdays. There is limited residential parking in the local areas, and we ask all fans to be considerate if taking this option. There are also a number of car-parks within a ten-minute walk from the stadium.
The stadium is very well served by public transport. St James Park railway station is located just behind the Stagecoach Family Stand, and it lies on the Avocet Line (served by Great Western Rail). The line runs from Exeter St David’s (five minutes’ journey) through to Exmouth, and also first stopping at Exeter Central. Both Exeter St David’s and Exeter Central link the city to most major cities in the UK.
The E, F1 and F2 bus services stop right outside St James Park (ask the driver for Old Tiverton Road). The 1, 1B, P, T and RED services run to and from the Odeon cinema on Sidwell Street a few minutes’ walk away. Additionally, the Exeter Bus Station terminus is about ten minutes’ walk from St James Park – please refer to the Stagecoach website for the services which run to the Bus Station, as well as directions to the Park from there. For full travel information, please visit our Getting Here section.
- Please click here to view the latest timetable from St James Park station
Getting to St James Park
By Car:
From the M5: Exit westbound at Junction 29 onto the A3015 (Honiton Road). Follow the road onto the B3183 (Heavitree Road) for two miles, going past Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. Take the fourth exit at the roundabout into Western Way, and at the next roundabout take the second exit onto Old Tiverton Road. St James Park and Stadium Way are located on the left.
From the East: Follow the A303/A30 towards Exeter, passing under the M5 bridge, at Junction 29. Then follow the above instructions from the M5.
From the West: Follow signposts towards Exeter centre. After crossing the River Exe near Exeter St Thomas rail station, join the A3015 (Frog Street). Follow the one-way system and then exit onto the B3212 (Magdalen Street) and follow the road as it veers left towards the roundabout. Take the third exit at the roundabout into Western Way, and at the next roundabout take the second exit onto Old Tiverton Road. St James Park and Stadium Way are located on your left.
Parking:
Parking
Please note that owing to very limited parking at St James Park, there is no on-site parking for supporters at St James Park on matchdays. There is also very limited residential parking available locally.
There are a few car parks near the ground though. There is the King William Street car park (NCP) or the car parks just off Western Way on Parr Street, Belmont, Belgrave Road and Bampfylde Street car park and the Triangle car park (actually accessed from Clifton Road). These are all about five to 10 minutes' walk minutes from the club.
By Rail:
By Rail
The stadium is served by St James Park rail station, a few minutes’ walk from the ground. The station lies on the Avocet Line (First Great Western trains), which runs from Exeter St David’s to Exmouth, also calling at Exeter Central. The Exeter St David’s and Exeter Central stations connect the city to the other major cities across the UK.
Please click here to visit the national rail website.
Please click here to view a Train Planning Map with useful details on getting to St James Park from around Devon.
Please note on certain matchdays there will be changes to the match day services at St James Park station and Polsloe Bridge station this Saturday due to Exeter City and Exeter Chiefs both playing at home. Click here for further details.
By Bus:
Exeter Bus Station is located around 10 minutes’ walk from St James Park. It is the terminus for many local buses in the Exeter area, as well as serving intercity coach companies including Megabus, National Express, First Bus and Western Greyhound.
Park and ride:
It is also possible to get to the City centre by using the park and ride services at Honiton Road (red), Sowton (blue) and Matford (green).
By Plane:
Exeter International Airport is situated in Clyst Honiton, four miles from the city centre.
Contact Us:
We are always pleased to help fans and are always keen to make sure that they have a great matchday experience – win, lose or draw! If you have any queries of any nature, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing: reception@exetercityfc.co.uk or ringing 01392 411243.
Things to do in Exeter:
1. Exeter Cathedral
Cathedral Church of Saint Peter at Exeter is an Anglican cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of Exeter. Founded in 1050, the current building was completed circa 1400. The clock that was the inspiration for the classic nursery rhyme “Hickory Dickory Dock” hangs above the door to the north tower with the medieval cat flap; on a related note, the cathedral is the only one in the country to have had a cat on its payroll at one point in history.
2. Exeter Quay
Located just a 20-minute walk from St James Park, Exeter Quay is the best place in town to walk on a sunny morning. Enjoy restaurants with a view of the river or take part in one of the quayside red coat guided tours, and even venture as far as the 2,000-year-old city walls, of which 70 per cent still remain.
3: Princesshay
One of the most exciting developments in Exeter City centre has been the regeneration of the Princesshay shopping area, which stands on the site of the old St John’s Hospital school, all that remains of which is the Blue Boy statue right in the heart of the area. Filled with the best of cafes, restaurants, shopping outlets and local businesses, Princesshay is the place to be.
4: Underground Passages
Take in a tour of the underground passages and walkways that formed the core of the city’s foundations. Dating from 14th century, these medieval passages under Exeter high street are a unique ancient monument; no similar system of passages can be explored by the public elsewhere in Britain.
5: Castle and Northernhay Gardens
Incorporating a good stretch of Roman wall and the only length of Saxon town wall to be seen in England, Northernhay Gardens are of outstanding historic significance.
The site of Northernhay Gardens was quarried in Roman times for stone from which to build the adjacent city walls. During the Norman period, it formed part of the defences of Rougemont Castle. In 1612, the City Chamber laid out the grounds for public recreation.
The early park was destroyed in the civil war when, in 1642, large new defensive ditches were dug outside the walls for the city's defence.
Today the gardens offer a tranquil break from the bustle of the city.
6: Royal Albert Memorial Museum
The awards continue to stream in for Exeter’s RAMM museum, which was crowned museum of the year in 2012 and awarded the £100,000 art fund prize for its redevelopment project. Chair of judges, Lord Smith of Finsbury, said of the museum at the time: “The new Royal Albert Memorial Museum is quite simply a magical place.”
Located just a few doors down from Exeter Central station, the RAMM is easily accessible and is right in the middle of town.