⚽ JOBSERVE COMMUNITY STADIUM ⚽
Colchester United Complete Travel Guide – 2026-27 Season
ℹ️ 2026-27 Season Guide: Ipswich Town Women and Under-21s are ground-sharing at the stadium for 2026-27, alongside significant summer renovations that began in 2025. All other information has been researched and verified for 2026-27. Always check cu-fc.com for the latest ticketing and matchday updates before you travel.
⚽ ABOUT THE JOBSERVE COMMUNITY STADIUM
The JobServe Community Stadium has been home to Colchester United since August 2008, replacing Layer Road, the club’s home since 1937. Built on the Cuckoo Farm site just off Junction 28 of the A12, the ground cost around £14 million and has a capacity of 10,105.
It was originally named the Weston Homes Community Stadium under a ten-year sponsorship deal, before recruitment firm JobServe took over the naming rights in 2018. The ground comprises four stands: the JobServe Stand (East), the Roman Cars Stand (North, the main away section), the Weston Homes Stand (South) and the main West Stand housing the club’s facilities.
It has hosted England youth internationals and concerts by Elton John, Lionel Richie and Little Mix over the years, and for 2025-26 and 2026-27 is also ground-sharing with Ipswich Town’s Women’s and Under-21 teams.
Colchester United – The U’s – were founded in 1937 and have spent the majority of their history in the lower two divisions of English football, with a memorable FA Cup run to the fifth round in 1971, famously beating First Division Leeds United along the way.
The club’s Essex Derby with Southend United is the fiercest local rivalry, dating back to 1950, though the fixture hasn’t been played competitively for some years, given the gap between the clubs’ divisions.
Colchester are now in their tenth consecutive League Two season, with owner Robbie Cowling having overseen considerable stability at the club over recent years. The club’s traditional blue and white colours are proudly worn across a passionate, if modest-sized, home support.
📊 STADIUM SPECIFICATIONS
| Capacity | 10,105 (all seated) |
| Opened | August 2008 |
| Address | United Way, Myland, Colchester, CO4 5UP |
| Away Section | Roman Cars North Stand (behind the goal) |
| Away Allocation | Typically around 1,000, expandable to around 2,000 for bigger followings |
| Record Attendance | 10,064 vs Norwich City (16 January 2010) |
ℹ️ Naming history: Weston Homes Community Stadium (2008-2018) → JobServe Community Stadium (from 2018). The stadium is cashless – bring a card.
🚗 GETTING TO THE JOBSERVE COMMUNITY STADIUM
The stadium sits just off Junction 28 of the A12, around 2 miles from Colchester North station – one of the easiest grounds in the country to reach by car, though public transport requires a short bus or taxi ride from the station. Colchester also has a second, more central station (Colchester Town), closer to the historic centre, with a regular 7-minute train connection between the two.
🗺️ STADIUM LOCATION MAP
JobServe Community Stadium Address: United Way, Myland, Colchester, CO4 5UP
🚂 BY TRAIN
Why Trains Work: Colchester North is on the London Liverpool Street to Norwich main line, giving fast, frequent connections from London and East Anglia. It’s around 2 miles from the ground, so plan a bus, taxi, or the flat 25-40 minute walk for the final leg.
Journey Times to Colchester North:
🔴 Manchester Piccadilly: Around 3 hours 30 minutes (change at London)
🟠 Birmingham New Street: Around 2 hours 45 minutes (change at London)
🟡 Norwich: Around 1 hour (direct)
🟢 Cambridge: Around 1 hour (change at Ipswich or Stansted)
🔵 London Liverpool Street: Around 50 minutes (direct)
🟣 Ipswich: Around 20 minutes (direct)
Getting from Colchester North to the Stadium
🚶 Walking (25-40 minutes)
Head north on Mile End Road, which becomes Nayland Road, then Boxted Road, before turning onto United Way, where the stadium comes into view. Flat and straightforward, passing the Dog & Pheasant pub en route.
🚌 Park & Ride / Bus (around 10 minutes, £2-3)
The shuttle bus that used to run from Colchester North station has been withdrawn. The recommended route now is to park in a Colchester town centre car park and catch the number 65 bus from Head Street, which stops around 10 minutes’ walk from the stadium at Mill Road.
🚕 Taxi (around 10 minutes, £8-10)
Readily available at the station rank – a sensible option given the limited pub options directly around the ground.
🔗 Train Times & Tickets: nationalrail.co.uk | thetrainline.com
🔗 Colchester United Official Site: cu-fc.com
🚗 BY CAR – Genuinely Easy
The stadium sits right by Junction 28 of the A12 – one of the most straightforward grounds in the country to reach by car.
If You’re Driving:
- From London/South: Follow the A12 northbound, exit at Junction 28, and the stadium is signposted from the roundabout.
- From Ipswich/North: Follow the A12 southbound to Junction 28, then follow signs for United Way.
Parking Options:
- Stadium Car Park: Nearly 700 spaces, but must be pre-booked online in advance – it regularly sells out, so book early. Costs around £6-10 depending on location.
- Street Parking: Almost impossible in the immediate vicinity. The area is under an actively enforced Parking Exclusion Zone on matchdays, patrolled by the club and Essex Police, covering existing clearways and nearby residential streets – restrictions apply even to Blue Badge holders in designated zones, so check signage carefully.
- Colchester Town Centre Car Parks: A good alternative if arriving early – park in town, enjoy a pre-match drink, then catch the number 65 bus from Head Street towards the ground.
💡 Top Tip: Pre-book stadium parking as early as possible, as it sells out. The car park exit can be slow after the match – patient drivers may want to hang back inside the ground rather than rushing out immediately after the final whistle.
🍺 PUBS & DRINKS NEAR THE STADIUM
⚠️ Important Advice: There are very few pubs within easy walking distance of the stadium itself. The best approach – and what most Colchester fans themselves do – is to pre-match in Colchester town centre and travel to the ground by bus or taxi.
🍺 Near the Stadium
🍺 The Dog & Pheasant (24 Nayland Road, CO4 5EG)
A Hungry Horse pub-restaurant around 10 minutes’ walk from the ground, with a spacious beer garden and kids’ play area. Serves food all day. Reports on away-fan welcome are mixed, so treat it as a reasonable option rather than a guaranteed one.
Distance to Stadium: 10 minutes’ walk | Price: ££
🍺 Near Colchester North Station
🍺 The Bricklayers Arms (27 Bergholt Road, CO4 5AA)
A family-run, CAMRA-recommended pub with real ales, directly opposite Colchester North station – the ideal stop for anyone arriving by rail. Warm, traditional atmosphere, though it’s around 2 miles from the ground, so you’ll need a bus or taxi afterwards.
Distance to Stadium: Opposite the station, 2 miles from ground | Price: ££
🍺 Colchester Town Centre (Recommended Pre-Match Base)
🍺 The Playhouse (Wetherspoons) (4 St John’s Street, CO2 7AA)
A large, atmospheric Wetherspoons in a converted 1929 theatre, retaining much of the original balcony and stage – a genuinely characterful pub, not just a standard chain conversion. Cheap drinks and food, welcoming to all. Gets busy at weekends.
Distance to Stadium: Town centre, bus or taxi to ground | Price: £
🍺 Colchester Town Centre Pubs & Bars
The historic centre around the High Street and Castle Park has a good spread of pubs and bars beyond The Playhouse – plenty of choice for a pre-match session before heading out to the ground.
Distance to Stadium: Town centre, bus or taxi to ground | Price: ££
🍔 Food Options: Colchester town centre has a full range of restaurants and takeaways. Inside the stadium, the Hot Shots Café serves the usual matchday fare – card only, as the ground is cashless.
💡 Local Tip: Because the ground itself is short on nearby pubs, factor in proper time in Colchester town centre before you head out – it’s a much better base for a pre-match session than the stadium surroundings.
🏨 WHERE TO STAY IN COLCHESTER
Colchester – Britain’s oldest recorded town – has a good range of accommodation, with some options right on the A12 close to the ground and others in the historic centre.
£ Budget Options
Premier Inn Colchester A12
Located along the A12/A120, east of the stadium – convenient if you’re driving to the match. Reliable comfort at a good price.
Location: A12 corridor | Book: premierinn.com
Travelodge Colchester
A straightforward budget option in the town, useful if you’d rather explore Colchester on foot than rely on a car for the whole trip.
Book: travelodge.co.uk
££ Mid-Range Options
Holiday Inn Colchester
West of the stadium on the same A12/A120 stretch, offering reliable chain comfort with breakfast included and an on-site restaurant.
Book: ihg.com
The Railway Sleeper Lodge
Right by Colchester station, a good base if you want to be within easy reach of both trains and the historic town centre.
£££ Town Centre Options
Historic Centre Hotels
A range of independent and boutique hotels sit within the historic town, close to Colchester Castle and the High Street – the best choice if you want to explore Colchester properly before or after the match.
Search: booking.com
⚠️ Booking Advice
Staying near Colchester Town station rather than Colchester North puts you closer to the historic centre and its pubs and restaurants – worth considering even though it means a slightly longer journey out to the ground on matchday.
🎯 THINGS TO DO IN COLCHESTER
Colchester is Britain’s oldest recorded town, with a genuinely fascinating Roman history well worth exploring beyond the football.
🏰 Colchester Castle (Must Visit!)
A Norman castle built directly on the foundations of a Roman temple, with the largest Norman keep in Europe. The museum inside covers the town’s Roman and medieval past in real depth – genuinely one of the best small-museum experiences in the country. Allow at least 90 minutes.
Cost: Adults around £10-12 | Info: cimuseums.org.uk | Time: Allow 1.5-2 hours
🏛️ Colchester Roman Walls
The oldest Roman town walls in Britain, parts of which are still walkable today – a genuinely tangible link to Colchester’s status as Roman Britain’s first capital. Free to explore at any time.
Cost: FREE | Time: Allow 30-45 minutes
🌳 Castle Park
Beautiful parkland surrounding the castle, with formal gardens, riverside walks and plenty of space to relax before or after the match. A lovely spot for a pre-match wander.
Cost: FREE | Time: Allow 30-60 minutes
🛍️ Colchester High Street
A pleasant walk from the town station, with plenty of shops, cafes and pubs to explore before or after the match. Good mix of chains and independents.
Cost: FREE entry | Time: Allow 1-2 hours
Nearby Attractions
Colchester Zoo:
One of the UK’s leading zoos, a few miles outside town – a great family option if you’re making a full day of the trip.
Mersea Island:
A short drive from Colchester, famous for its oysters and coastal charm – a lovely spot if you have extra time.
🏛️ THE COLCHESTER EXPERIENCE
🏛️ Britain’s Oldest Town: Colchester was Roman Britain’s first capital – the Roman walls and castle make this genuinely one of the most historically rich away days in League Two.
🚆 Two Stations: Colchester has two railway stations – North (for the stadium) and Town (for the historic centre) – connected by a regular 7-minute train.
🦪 Oyster Country: Nearby Mersea Island is famous for its oysters – worth a detour if you’ve got time either side of the match.
⚽ THE MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE
🏙️ Pre-Match in Town: With very few pubs near the ground itself, most fans (home and away) drink in Colchester town centre first, then bus or taxi out.
💳 Cashless Ground: Bring a card – the stadium doesn’t accept cash anywhere on the concourse.
🅿️ Pre-Book Parking: The stadium car park must be pre-booked (£7) – residential streets nearby are subject to a matchday exclusion zone.
💭 FINAL THOUGHTS
The JobServe Community Stadium is a modern, functional ground that’s genuinely easy to reach by car, sitting right by the A12. The away end in the Roman Cars North Stand offers good views throughout, though the surroundings are fairly open and exposed to the elements – bring layers, especially in winter. Facilities are solid for this level, and the atmosphere carries well, given the stadium’s compact bowl design.
But it’s Colchester itself that really elevates this away day. As Britain’s oldest recorded town and Roman Britain’s first capital, Colchester Castle and the surviving Roman walls offer a genuinely rich slice of English history that few League Two towns can match. Castle Park is a lovely spot for a pre-match wander, and the High Street has plenty to keep you occupied if you arrive early.
Our advice? Arrive early and explore the town properly – the castle alone is worth the trip – grab a pint at The Playhouse or in the surrounding town centre pubs, then bus or taxi out to the ground for kick-off. A trip that rewards those who make time for the history as much as the football.
Get the train to Colchester, explore Britain’s oldest town, and enjoy a proper League Two away day!
⚽ Up the U’s! ⚽
📞 USEFUL CONTACTS
⚽ Colchester United: cu-fc.com
🎫 Ticket Office: tickets.colchesterunited.net
🚂 National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 | nationalrail.co.uk
🚌 Local Buses: firstbus.co.uk
ℹ️ Visit Colchester: visitcolchester.com
🏰 Colchester Castle: cimuseums.org.uk
💬 SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Did this guide help you? Have you been to the JobServe Community Stadium? Share your away day stories and tips!
Find us on social media: #ColchesterUnited #JobServeCommunityStadium #Colchester #TheUs #AwayDays #LeagueTwo #CUFC #FootballNonsense
⚽ Part of the Football Nonsense League Two Away Days Collection
For more away day guides, visit footballnonsense.co.uk
© 2026 Football Nonsense. All rights reserved. No part of this guide may be reproduced without permission.
John Herman is a Leeds-based, would-be football writer and founder of Football Nonsense. Blending fan passion with sharp opinion, attempting to tackle the game’s biggest debates, from the terraces to the boardroom, with honesty, (attempted) humour, and heart.