Blackburn Rovers FC – Ewood Park
Complete Away Day Travel Guide
🔵 ABOUT EWOOD PARK
Ewood Park has been the home of Blackburn Rovers since 1890, making it one of English football’s oldest and most historic venues. Located in the Ewood area of Blackburn, approximately 1.5 miles south of the town centre, this 31,367-capacity stadium has witnessed over 134 years of footballing history.
The impressive Riverside Stand, built in 1994 as part of Jack Walker’s investment that transformed the club, dominates one side of the ground and reflects Rovers’ Premier League glory days. Ewood Park retains traditional features whilst offering modern facilities, creating a genuine football atmosphere.
Blackburn Rovers are one of English football’s most historic and successful clubs, founded in 1875 – one of the twelve founding members of the Football League in 1888. Rovers have won the English top division three times (1911-12, 1913-14, and memorably in 1994-95 under Kenny Dalglish with Alan Shearer leading the line), plus six FA Cups including three consecutive victories (1884, 1885, 1886).
The famous blue and white halved shirts are iconic, and the club’s motto “Arte et Labore” (By Skill and Hard Work) reflects Rovers’ proud heritage. The late Jack Walker’s investment in the 1990s brought unprecedented success including that remarkable Premier League title.
Blackburn supporters are passionate, loyal through difficult times, and fiercely proud of their club’s illustrious history – expect a proper Lancashire football atmosphere, particularly when Rovers are challenging for promotion or facing local rivals like Burnley in the fierce East Lancashire derby.
📊 STADIUM SPECIFICATIONS
| Capacity | 31,367 (all seated) |
| Opened | 1890 (134+ years of history!) |
| Away Section | Darwen End (Lower Tier) |
| Away Allocation | 3,000-4,200 seats (can be increased for big fixtures) |
| Record Attendance | 62,522 vs Bolton Wanderers (FA Cup, 1929) |
🚗 GETTING TO EWOOD PARK
Ewood Park is located approximately 1.5 miles south of Blackburn town centre. Blackburn station has excellent rail connections from Manchester, Preston, and Leeds. The ground is accessible by bus, taxi, or walk from the station, and by car from the M65 motorway.
🗺️ STADIUM LOCATION MAP
Ewood Park Address: Blackburn, BB2 4JF
🚂 BY TRAIN – The Recommended Choice
Why Trains Work: Blackburn station is on the main line between Preston and Manchester with excellent connections. From the station, Ewood Park is approximately 1.5 miles – either a 25-30 minute walk, a short bus ride (service 1 or 2 towards Ewood), or a 10-minute taxi journey.
Journey Times to Blackburn Station:
🔴 Manchester Victoria: 30 minutes (direct)
🟠 Preston: 12 minutes (direct)
🟡 Leeds: 1 hour 15 minutes (direct)
🟢 Liverpool Lime Street: 1 hour (change at Preston)
🔵 Bolton: 25 minutes (direct)
🟣 York: 1 hour 45 minutes (via Leeds)
From Blackburn Station to Ewood Park:
Option 1 – Walk (25-30 minutes): Exit station, turn right onto Railway Road, continue to Bolton Road (A666), turn left and follow to Ewood Park. Well-signposted route through Blackburn.
Option 2 – Bus (10 minutes): Services 1 or 2 from Blackburn town centre (Lord Street) towards Ewood. Alight at Kidder Street for the away end. Runs regularly on matchdays.
Option 3 – Taxi (10 minutes): £6-£8 from the station. Taxis available outside Blackburn station.
🚗 BY CAR
Blackburn is easily accessible via the M65 motorway (Junction 4). Ewood Park has parking facilities, though matchday parking can be busy and pre-booking is recommended.
From Different Directions:
From the North/East (M65 Eastbound): Exit Junction 4, follow A666 Bolton Road towards Blackburn town centre, the stadium is on the left.
From the South/West (M65 Westbound): Exit Junction 4, take A666 towards Bolton/Darwen, stadium is on the right after approximately 1 mile.
From Manchester (M66/A56): Follow A666 north through Bolton towards Blackburn, stadium is on the right as you approach Blackburn.
From Preston (A677): Follow A677 east towards Blackburn, join A666 Bolton Road southbound, stadium on the left.
🅿️ PARKING OPTIONS
Stadium Car Parks: Official car parks available at Ewood Park. Cost £8-£12. Pre-booking recommended through Blackburn Rovers FC website, especially for bigger fixtures.
Town Centre Car Parks: Blackburn town centre has several car parks (Jubilee Street, The Mall). £3-£6 for the day, then bus or taxi to the ground. Less congested post-match.
Street Parking: Limited street parking on residential streets around Ewood, but check restrictions carefully. Be respectful of residents and don’t block driveways.
🏨 WHERE TO STAY IN BLACKBURN
Blackburn offers accommodation options across all budgets. Staying in Blackburn town centre puts you close to the station, pubs and restaurants, and within easy reach of Ewood Park. Alternatively, nearby Bolton, Preston, or Manchester offer more hotel choices.
💷 BUDGET OPTIONS (£50-£80)
Premier Inn Blackburn Town Centre
📍 Location: Furthergate, Blackburn, BB1 3GP (town centre, 10-min walk from station)
💰 Price: £55-£75 per night
✨ Why Stay: Reliable chain hotel, central location, comfortable rooms, good breakfast, walking distance to pubs
🌐 Book: premierinn.com
Travelodge Blackburn
📍 Location: Imperial Mill, Greenbank Road, Blackburn, BB1 3DH (near town centre)
💰 Price: £50-£70 per night
✨ Why Stay: Budget-friendly, clean and comfortable, good parking, short bus ride to stadium
🌐 Book: travelodge.co.uk
The Fernhurst Lodge Hotel
📍 Location: 2-4 Shear Brow, Blackburn, BB1 8DL (near town centre)
💰 Price: £60-£85 per night
✨ Why Stay: Independent hotel, friendly service, central location, good value, traditional Lancashire hospitality
🌐 Book: fernhurstlodge.co.uk
💎 MID-RANGE OPTIONS (£80-£130)
Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa
📍 Location: Blackburn Road, Clayton-le-Moors, BB5 5JP (4 miles from stadium)
💰 Price: £90-£125 per night
✨ Why Stay: Historic manor house hotel, spa facilities, beautiful grounds, excellent restaurant, popular matchday choice
🌐 Book: mercure.com
Holiday Inn Express Preston South
📍 Location: Walton Summit, Preston, PR5 8AA (8 miles from Blackburn, near M6)
💰 Price: £80-£110 per night
✨ Why Stay: Modern hotel, breakfast included, easy motorway access, 12 mins by train to Blackburn
🌐 Book: ihg.com
The Millstone Hotel
📍 Location: Church Lane, Mellor, BB2 7JR (3 miles from Blackburn)
💰 Price: £85-£120 per night
✨ Why Stay: Country hotel, stunning views, excellent restaurant, peaceful setting, short drive to stadium
🌐 Book: themillstonehotel.co.uk
⭐ LUXURY OPTIONS (£130+)
Shrigley Hall Hotel, Golf & Country Club
📍 Location: Shrigley Park, Pott Shrigley, Macclesfield, SK10 5SB (30 mins from Blackburn)
💰 Price: £140-£220 per night
✨ Why Stay: Luxury country house hotel, championship golf course, spa facilities, beautiful Peak District setting
🌐 Book: shrigley-hall-hotel.co.uk
Northcote Hotel
📍 Location: Northcote Road, Langho, BB6 8BE (6 miles from Blackburn)
💰 Price: £180-£300 per night
✨ Why Stay: Michelin-starred restaurant, luxury boutique hotel, exceptional food and service, Lancashire’s finest
🌐 Book: northcote.com
The Gibbon Bridge Hotel
📍 Location: Chipping, Preston, PR3 2TQ (15 miles from Blackburn)
💰 Price: £150-£250 per night
✨ Why Stay: Stunning Ribble Valley location, country house luxury, award-winning restaurant, beautiful gardens
🌐 Book: gibbon-bridge.co.uk
🍺 BEST PUBS & BARS FOR AWAY FANS
Blackburn has a good selection of pubs, particularly in the town centre. Most away fans drink in the town centre before taking a bus or taxi to Ewood Park. Some pubs near the ground welcome away supporters, whilst others are home fans only.
🏙️ TOWN CENTRE PUBS (SAFEST OPTIONS)
The Postal Order (Wetherspoon)
📍 Location: 13-17 Darwen Street, Blackburn, BB2 2BY (town centre)
🍺 What to Expect: Large Wetherspoon pub in former post office building, good value, spacious, popular with away fans
⭐ Why Visit: Reliable matchday choice, reasonable prices, mixed crowd, central location
The Shovels Inn
📍 Location: 143-145 Northgate, Blackburn, BB2 1AA (town centre)
🍺 What to Expect: Traditional pub, good real ales, friendly atmosphere, welcomes away fans
⭐ Why Visit: Proper Lancashire pub, quality beer, central location, good pre-match choice
The Cellar Bar
📍 Location: King Street, Blackburn, BB2 2DH (town centre)
🍺 What to Expect: Basement bar, good atmosphere, craft beers, relaxed vibe
⭐ Why Visit: Different atmosphere, quality drinks, away fans welcome
🏟️ PUBS NEAR EWOOD PARK
The Fernhurst (Brewers Fayre)
📍 Location: Bolton Road, Blackburn, BB2 3PU (near Ewood Park)
🍺 What to Expect: Family pub/restaurant, safe option for away fans, food available, close to stadium
⭐ Why Visit: Nearest pub to ground that welcomes away supporters, convenient location, family-friendly
⚠️ AVOID IF YOU’RE AN AWAY FAN
Most pubs immediately around Ewood Park (Bolton Road area) are home fans only. The Golden Cup, Ewood Hotel, and pubs on Kidder Street are best avoided by away supporters. Stick to town centre pubs or The Fernhurst for a safer matchday experience.
🍽️ WHERE TO EAT IN BLACKBURN
Blackburn offers diverse dining options, particularly strong on Indian and Asian cuisine reflecting the town’s multicultural heritage. The town centre has plenty of pre-match eating options from traditional British to international cuisine.
🍴 RESTAURANTS & DINING
Ego at The Knowles Arms
📍 Location: 162 Preston New Road, Blackburn, BB2 6AY
🍽️ Speciality: Mediterranean cuisine, good steaks, popular local restaurant
💰 Price: £15-£30 per person
⭐ Why Visit: Quality food, pleasant atmosphere, good pre-match option, popular with locals
Red Chilli Restaurant
📍 Location: 8-10 Cicely Lane, Blackburn, BB2 2HB (town centre)
🍽️ Speciality: Indian cuisine, excellent curries, authentic flavours
💰 Price: £12-£25 per person
⭐ Why Visit: Outstanding Indian food, Blackburn’s multicultural strength, great value
The Clog and Billycock
📍 Location: Billinge End Road, Pleasington, BB2 6QB (2 miles from town)
🍽️ Speciality: Modern British pub food, Sunday roasts, country pub setting
💰 Price: £15-£30 per person
⭐ Why Visit: Award-winning pub, excellent food, lovely rural location, worth the trip
🍔 QUICK EATS & TAKEAWAY
Turtle Bay (Blackburn)
📍 Location: Unit 5, The Mall, Blackburn, BB1 7JD (town centre)
🍗 Speciality: Caribbean cuisine, jerk chicken, good cocktails
💰 Price: £10-£20
⭐ Why Visit: Different flavours, lively atmosphere, central location
Nando’s Blackburn
📍 Location: The Exchange, Jubilee Street, Blackburn, BB1 1LB
🍗 Speciality: Peri-peri chicken, quick service
💰 Price: £10-£18
⭐ Why Visit: Reliable pre-match option, quick service, central
Tauheed
📍 Location: 56-66 Whalley Range, Blackburn, BB1 6NE
🥘 Speciality: Pakistani/Indian street food, excellent value, authentic
💰 Price: £6-£12
⭐ Why Visit: Brilliant authentic food, unbeatable value, Blackburn institution
🎭 THINGS TO DO IN BLACKBURN & AREA
Blackburn has an interesting industrial heritage and is surrounded by beautiful Lancashire countryside. The town offers museums, parks, and is the gateway to the stunning Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland.
🏛️ BLACKBURN ATTRACTIONS
Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery – FREE!
📍 Location: Museum Street, Blackburn, BB1 7AJ (town centre)
🎨 What to See: Impressive collections including Egyptology, local history, decorative arts, and the Hart Collection of early manuscripts
⏰ Opening: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4:30pm, Sunday closed
⭐ Why Visit: FREE entry, surprisingly good museum, fascinating Egyptian collection, worth an hour pre-match
Blackburn Cathedral
📍 Location: Cathedral Close, Blackburn, BB1 5AA (town centre)
⛪ What to See: Modern cathedral (consecrated 1926), beautiful stained glass, peaceful gardens
💰 Entry: FREE (donations welcome)
⭐ Why Visit: Architectural interest, peaceful atmosphere, central location
Corporation Park
📍 Location: Revidge Road, Blackburn, BB2 6DF (1 mile from town centre)
🌳 What to See: Victorian park, beautiful gardens, boating lake, café
⭐ Why Visit: Lovely green space, pleasant walks, free to enter
🏞️ NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
Ribble Valley
📍 Location: 15-20 minutes from Blackburn
🌄 What to See: Stunning Lancashire countryside, charming villages (Whalley, Clitheroe), Pendle Hill, excellent pubs and restaurants
⭐ Why Visit: Beautiful scenery, perfect if staying over, quintessential Lancashire, Northcote Michelin-star restaurant
Hoghton Tower
📍 Location: Hoghton, Preston, PR5 0SH (6 miles from Blackburn)
🏰 What to See: Historic fortified manor house, beautiful hilltop setting, where James I supposedly knighted “Sirloin” beef!
💰 Entry: £8-£10 (check opening times – seasonal)
⭐ Why Visit: Fascinating history, dramatic setting, Lancashire heritage
Forest of Bowland AONB
📍 Location: 20-30 minutes from Blackburn
🌲 What to See: Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, stunning fells, charming villages, walking trails
⭐ Why Visit: Spectacular Lancashire countryside, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, wonderful if making a weekend
💡 PRACTICAL MATCHDAY TIPS
🍺 Drink in Town Centre: Safest option for away fans – The Postal Order or The Shovels are good choices
🚌 Use Buses: Regular services (1 or 2) from town centre to Ewood – easier than walking, especially post-match
⚠️ Avoid Home Pubs: Pubs immediately around Ewood Park are home fans only – stick to The Fernhurst or town centre
🎭 BLACKBURN EXPERIENCE
🏭 Industrial Heritage: Blackburn’s cotton mill history is fascinating – the Museum has excellent local history exhibits
🌄 Ribble Valley: If staying over, the Ribble Valley countryside is stunning – charming villages, great pubs, beautiful scenery
🍛 Multicultural Food: Blackburn’s Indian and Pakistani restaurants are excellent – try the authentic cuisine!
⚽ MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE
🏟️ Historic Ground: Ewood Park has over 134 years of history – it’s seen Championship titles, FA Cup glory, and Premier League success
💙 Passionate Support: Blackburn fans are loyal through thick and thin – they’ve stuck by Rovers through difficult times with unwavering support
🏆 Premier League Memories: Rovers’ 1995 title-winning team was legendary – Alan Shearer, Chris Sutton (SAS), and Kenny Dalglish are Ewood Park icons
💭 FINAL THOUGHTS
Visiting Ewood Park is stepping into proper football history. This is a ground that’s witnessed over 134 years of English football, from three league championships in the early 20th century to that unforgettable Premier League title triumph in 1995 when Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton’s SAS partnership fired Rovers to glory under Kenny Dalglish. The impressive Riverside Stand, built during Jack Walker’s transformative ownership, stands as a monument to Blackburn’s Premier League era, whilst the rest of the ground retains traditional features that remind you of Ewood’s long heritage. Blackburn fans have remained fiercely loyal through difficult times since relegation, and their passion for Rovers runs deep – expect a proper Lancashire football atmosphere.
The town of Blackburn has genuine character beyond the football. The industrial heritage from cotton mill days is fascinating – the Museum & Art Gallery has surprisingly excellent collections including Egyptian artefacts and early manuscripts. The multicultural community means outstanding Indian and Pakistani cuisine (Tauheed is brilliant value). And Blackburn’s position makes it perfect for exploring the stunning Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland – if you’re staying over, the surrounding Lancashire countryside is genuinely beautiful with charming villages, excellent country pubs, and even Michelin-starred dining at Northcote.
The logistics work well – Blackburn station has good connections from Manchester, Preston, and Leeds, and it’s either a 25-minute walk to Ewood Park or a quick bus ride. Our advice? Get to Blackburn early, have a pint or two in town centre pubs like The Postal Order or The Shovels (much safer than pubs near the ground for away fans), grab some excellent Indian food, then take bus 1 or 2 to Ewood Park. The away end at the Darwen End offers decent facilities and good views. After the match, the buses back to town run regularly, or it’s a 30-minute walk if you fancy it.
Take the train to Blackburn, enjoy the town centre pubs, try the excellent Indian cuisine, experience Ewood Park’s historic atmosphere, and discover why Rovers fans remain so devoted to their club despite the challenges!
💙 Arte et Labore! 💙
📞 USEFUL CONTACTS
🏟️ Blackburn Rovers FC: 01254 372001 | rovers.co.uk
🎫 Ticket Office: 01254 372000
🚌 Blackburn Buses: 01254 680000 | blackburnbus.co.uk
🚂 National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 | nationalrail.co.uk
ℹ️ Visit Blackburn: discoverblackburn.co.uk
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📍 Part of the Football Nonsense Championship Away Days Collection
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John Herman is a Leeds-based, would-be football writer and founder of Football Nonsense. Blending fan passion with sharp opinion, he tackles the game’s biggest debates—from the terraces to the boardroom—with honesty, humour, and heart.