Queens Park Rangers FC – Loftus Road
Complete Away Day Travel Guide
🔵⚪ ABOUT LOFTUS ROAD
Loftus Road is one of English football’s most intimate and atmospheric grounds, home to Queens Park Rangers since 1917 (with a brief spell at White City 1931-33). This 18,439-capacity stadium is the third-smallest in the Championship but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in character and atmosphere. Located in the heart of West London, Loftus Road is famous for being one of the most compact grounds in professional football – away fans are genuinely close to the pitch, creating an intense matchday experience. The ground sits in a residential area with houses backing onto the stands, giving it a proper community feel that’s increasingly rare in modern football.
Queens Park Rangers – The Rs or The Hoops – have a fascinating history dating back to 1882, making them one of London’s oldest clubs. The famous blue and white hooped shirts have been worn since the 1920s and are instantly recognisable across English football. QPR’s golden era came in the 1970s when they finished runners-up in the First Division in 1976 and won the League Cup in 1967. The club reached the FA Cup Final in 1982 and spent much of the 1980s and 1990s in the top flight. More recently, QPR were Premier League regulars between 2011-2015. Loftus Road’s compact design means the crowd is right on top of the pitch, creating brilliant atmosphere when QPR fans are in full voice with their “Come On You Rs!” chant echoing around. This is proper West London football with soul and character.
📊 STADIUM SPECIFICATIONS
| Capacity | 18,439 |
| Opened | 1904 (QPR moved here 1917) |
| Away Section | School End |
| Away Allocation | Typically 1,200-1,500 seats (can be increased to 2,000+ for bigger fixtures) |
| Record Attendance | 35,353 vs Leeds United (Division One, 1974) |
| Nickname | The Rs / The Hoops / Super Hoops |
🚗 GETTING TO LOFTUS ROAD
Loftus Road is brilliantly located in West London with excellent transport links via the London Underground. White City (Central Line) and Shepherd’s Bush (Central Line and Overground) are both within 10 minutes’ walk. The ground is also accessible by car from the M4/A40, though parking is very limited and public transport is strongly recommended.
🗺️ STADIUM LOCATION MAP
Loftus Road Address: South Africa Road, London, W12 7PA
🚇 BY TUBE – The Recommended Choice
Why Tube Works: Loftus Road is superbly served by London Underground with two excellent options both within 10 minutes’ walk. The Central Line and Overground provide brilliant connections from across London. This is absolutely the best way to visit Loftus Road!
Main Station Options:
🚇 WHITE CITY (CENTRAL LINE)
Distance: 5-10 minute walk to Loftus Road
Line: Central Line (direct from Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Bank, Liverpool Street)
Why Choose: Closest station to the ground, quieter than Shepherd’s Bush
The Walk: Exit station, turn left onto Wood Lane, right onto South Africa Road. Ground on your left. Simple!
🚇 SHEPHERD’S BUSH (CENTRAL LINE + OVERGROUND)
Distance: 10-minute walk to Loftus Road
Lines: Central Line AND London Overground
Why Choose: More transport options (Central Line + Overground), better for pubs and Westfield shopping centre
The Walk: Exit the station, head north along Uxbridge Road, turn right onto South Africa Road
🚇 SHEPHERD’S BUSH MARKET (CIRCLE/HAMMERSMITH & CITY LINES)
Distance: 10-minute walk to Loftus Road
Lines: Circle Line and Hammersmith & City Line
Why Choose: Alternative if coming from east London or using Circle Line
🚂 BY MAINLINE TRAIN
🚂 FOR FANS FROM OUTSIDE LONDON
Best Options: Travel to Paddington, Euston, or King’s Cross, then take the Central Line to White City or Shepherd’s Bush
Paddington: Bakerloo Line to Oxford Circus, change to Central Line westbound
King’s Cross/Euston: Take the Victoria or Northern Line to Tottenham Court Road/Oxford Circus, change to Central Line westbound
🚗 BY CAR
Postcode for Sat Nav: W12 7PA
Motorway Routes:
From M4/M25 (West): M4 eastbound towards London, exit Junction 1, follow A406 then A4020 to Shepherd’s Bush
From A40 Westway: Follow A40 to White City, exit at Wood Lane
Note: You’ll hit the Congestion Charge Zone coming from the east – avoid if possible!
Parking Options:
🚫 Official Stadium Car Parks: NONE available for away fans
Note: Loftus Road has no parking facilities for supporters
🏘️ Street Parking: Extremely limited and heavily restricted
Cost: Matchday restrictions on most streets
Important: Resident permit zones, single yellow lines, CPZs everywhere. NOT recommended!
🛍️ Westfield Shopping Centre: Large multi-storey car park
Cost: £4-6 for 3+ hours
Distance: 10-minute walk to Loftus Road
Advantage: Safest option if you must drive – huge capacity, secure, easy exit to A40/M4
💡 Top Parking Tip: Seriously, DON’T DRIVE! This is West London with nightmare parking restrictions, resident zones, and matchday chaos. The tube is brilliant – White City or Shepherd’s Bush are 5-10 minutes’ walk. If you absolutely must drive, use the Westfield car park and walk.
🎫 AWAY SUPPORTER ALLOCATION
| Your Section | School End |
| Allocation | Typically 1,200-1,500 seats (can be increased to 2,000+ for bigger fixtures) |
| View | Excellent views – you’re VERY close to the pitch! One of the most intimate away ends in the Championship |
| Facilities | Compact but functional – typical of an older ground, but part of the charm! |
| Atmosphere | Brilliant! Loftus Road is tiny so atmosphere is intense – you’re right on top of the action |
✅ Away Fan Experience: Loftus Road is one of the most intimate grounds in English football – you’re genuinely close to the pitch and can really get involved! The School End provides excellent views and brilliant atmosphere. It’s compact, old-school, and characterful. This is proper football in the heart of West London!
🍺 PUBS & FOOD FOR AWAY FANS
QPR’s location in Shepherd’s Bush means excellent pub and restaurant options, though some pubs immediately near the ground can be home fans only. Westfield Shopping Centre, Shepherd’s Bush Green, and the surrounding area offer brilliant choices that welcome away supporters.
🍻 RECOMMENDED OPTIONS FOR AWAY FANS
Westfield Shopping Centre
📍 Location: Ariel Way, W12 7GF (10 min walk from ground)
Why Visit: Massive shopping centre with loads of pubs and restaurants. Slug & Lettuce, All Bar One, Nando’s, Wagamama, Five Guys – something for everyone!
Away Fans: Very welcome – completely neutral, safe, family-friendly
The Defectors Weld
📍 Location: 170 Uxbridge Road, W12 8AA
Why Visit: Excellent Wetherspoons in Shepherd’s Bush. Large, good value, good beer selection, and welcomes football fans.
Away Fans: Welcome – neutral pub, gets busy on matchdays
Walkabout Shepherd’s Bush
📍 Location: Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12 8PH
Why Visit: Sports bar with big screens, pool tables, and Australian theme. Good for pre-match atmosphere.
Away Fans: Welcome – sports bar atmosphere
The Sindercombe Social
📍 Location: 2 Goldhawk Road, W12 8DH
Why Visit: Proper local pub with good beer selection. Friendly atmosphere and welcomes away fans.
Away Fans: Welcome – mixed crowd
⚠️ Important Note: The Duke of York, The Springbok, and The White Horse can be home fans only on matchdays. Westfield Shopping Centre or The Defectors Weld (Wetherspoons) are your safest bets with loads of choice!
🍽️ FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS
Westfield Restaurants
📍 Location: Westfield London, W12 7GF
Perfect For: 50+ restaurants – Nando’s, Wagamama, Byron, Five Guys, TGI Fridays, Yo! Sushi. Something for everyone!
Shepherd’s Bush Market
📍 Location: Railway Approach, W12 8DF
Perfect For: Caribbean food, African cuisine, brilliant street food. Proper multicultural London experience!
Abu Zaad
📍 Location: 29 Uxbridge Road, W12 8LH
Perfect For: Excellent Syrian restaurant. Brilliant mezze, grilled meats, fantastic flavours!
Bush Hall Dining Rooms
📍 Location: 310 Uxbridge Road, W12 7LJ
Perfect For: British gastropub food in beautiful Victorian building. Great Sunday roasts!
🏨 WHERE TO STAY IN WEST LONDON
Staying in West London near Loftus Road puts you perfectly positioned for exploring central London. Shepherd’s Bush, White City, and nearby areas offer good hotel options, whilst central London is just minutes away on the Central Line.
💰 BUDGET OPTIONS (£60-100)
Travelodge London Central White City
📍 Location: 1A Portal Way, W3 6RS
Distance: 10 minutes from White City station, 15 minutes to Loftus Road
Why Stay: Great value, clean rooms, perfect location for the ground and central London.
Premier Inn London Hammersmith
📍 Location: 255 King Street, W6 9LU
Distance: Hammersmith (nearby)
Why Stay: Reliable chain, good breakfast, excellent tube connections.
💎 MID-RANGE OPTIONS (£100-160)
Dorsett Shepherds Bush
📍 Location: 58 Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12 8QE
Distance: 5 minutes from Loftus Road
Why Stay: Modern hotel right next to the ground! Perfect location.
K West Hotel & Spa
📍 Location: Richmond Way, W14 0AX
Distance: Near Shepherd’s Bush
Why Stay: Stylish boutique hotel with spa. Great for weekend stays!
⭐ UPMARKET OPTIONS (£160+)
Hilton London Olympia
📍 Location: 380 Kensington High Street, W14 8NL
Distance: Kensington Olympia
Why Stay: Luxury hotel near Kensington, short tube ride to Loftus Road.
Central London Hotels
📍 Location: Oxford Street, Kensington, Notting Hill areas
Distance: 15-25 minutes on Central Line to White City/Shepherd’s Bush
Why Stay: Stay central, explore London properly, then easy Central Line to the match!
🎭 THINGS TO DO IN WEST LONDON
QPR’s location in West London means you’re brilliantly positioned for exploring the capital. Westfield Shopping Centre, Portobello Road Market, Kensington museums, and central London are all easily accessible. Make a weekend of it!
🛍️ Westfield London
📍 Location: Ariel Way, W12 7GF
What: One of Europe’s largest shopping centres with 300+ stores. Everything from Primark to Prada, plus cinema, bowling, restaurants.
Cost: Free to browse
🎨 Natural History Museum
📍 Location: Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD (South Kensington)
What: World-famous museum with dinosaur skeletons, blue whale, stunning architecture. One of London’s finest!
Cost: FREE!
🏛️ Victoria & Albert Museum
📍 Location: Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL (South Kensington)
What: World’s leading museum of art and design. Fashion, furniture, sculpture, paintings – absolutely brilliant!
Cost: FREE!
🛍️ Portobello Road Market
📍 Location: Portobello Road, W11 (Notting Hill)
What: World-famous antiques market (best on Saturdays). Colourful Notting Hill, vintage finds, street food!
Cost: Free to browse
🌳 Holland Park
📍 Location: Ilchester Place, W8 6LU
What: Beautiful park with Japanese Kyoto Garden, peacocks, woodland walks. Peaceful escape in West London!
Cost: FREE!
🎭 Central London
📍 Location: 15-20 minutes on Central Line
What: Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Soho, West End theatres – all easily accessible!
Cost: Varies
⚽ MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE
🔵⚪ The Hoops: QPR fans are passionate about their blue and white hoops – expect brilliant “Come On You Rs!” chants!
🏟️ Intimate Atmosphere: Loftus Road is one of the Championship’s smallest grounds – you’re RIGHT on top of the action!
🏙️ West London Location: Perfect position for exploring London – Central Line takes you straight to Oxford Circus!
🚇 Brilliant Transport: White City or Shepherd’s Bush tube stations are 5-10 minutes’ walk – couldn’t be easier!
🤝 HOW TO BEHAVE
✅ DO: Show your colours proudly • Use the tube – it’s brilliant • Explore Westfield Shopping Centre • Try Shepherd’s Bush Market food • Visit Kensington museums • Enjoy West London’s diversity • Make a weekend of it in London • Respect the intimate atmosphere
❌ DON’T: Drive – parking is a nightmare • Try drinking in home pubs near ground • Rush away – you’re in London! • Miss Westfield or central London • Forget your Oyster card/contactless payment • Cause trouble in this residential area
📗 QUICK REFERENCE
| Stadium Postcode | W12 7PA |
| Away Allocation | 1,200-1,500 seats (School End, can increase to 2,000+) |
| Nearest Tube | White City (5-10 min walk) OR Shepherd’s Bush (10 min walk) |
| Best Transport | Central Line to White City or Shepherd’s Bush |
| Parking | Westfield £4-6 (DON’T drive if possible!) |
| Must Try | Shepherd’s Bush Market street food, Westfield restaurants, Abu Zaad Syrian! |
| Must Visit | Westfield, Kensington museums, Portobello Market, Central London! |
⚡ TOP TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT
📋 BEFORE YOU GO
💳 Oyster/Contactless: Get an Oyster card or use contactless payment for the tube – much cheaper than paper tickets!
🎫 Digital Tickets: Have match tickets ready on your phone and arrive 60-90 minutes before kick-off
🗺️ Plan Your Route: Central Line is your friend – White City is closest, Shepherd’s Bush has more options
🚶 GETTING THERE
🚇 White City: Quieter option, 5-10 minute walk, straightforward route
🚇 Shepherd’s Bush: More pre-match options (Westfield, pubs), 10-minute walk
🚫 Don’t Drive: Seriously! West London parking is horrendous. Tube is brilliant!
🏙️ LONDON EXPERIENCE
🛍️ Westfield: Arrive early, shop, eat at one of 50+ restaurants, then 10-minute walk to ground
🎨 Museums: South Kensington museums (Natural History, V&A) are FREE and world-class – perfect for Sunday morning!
🌍 Diversity: Shepherd’s Bush Market offers brilliant multicultural food – try Caribbean, African, Middle Eastern cuisines!
⚽ MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE
🔵⚪ Intimate Ground: Loftus Road is tiny – you’re genuinely close to the pitch. Brilliant atmosphere!
🏟️ Old-School Feel: This is proper traditional football in a residential area – bags of character!
💙 Friendly Fans: QPR supporters are generally welcoming – enjoy the West London football experience!
💭 FINAL THOUGHTS
Visiting Loftus Road is one of the Championship’s most unique away day experiences. This is the third-smallest ground in the division, but don’t let that fool you – the compact design means you’re genuinely close to the pitch, creating an intense, intimate atmosphere that’s increasingly rare in modern football. The famous blue and white hooped shirts of Queens Park Rangers are one of football’s most iconic designs, and when 18,000 fans are packed into this tight West London ground singing “Come On You Rs!”, the noise is brilliant. Loftus Road sits in a residential area with houses backing onto the stands, giving it a proper community feel that bigger, soulless stadiums can never replicate.
The location is genuinely superb. White City and Shepherd’s Bush tube stations are both within 5-10 minutes’ walk – you’re in the heart of West London with the Central Line connecting you directly to Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, and the West End in 15 minutes. This makes QPR one of the most accessible away days if you’re staying in central London or travelling from outside the capital. Westfield Shopping Centre – one of Europe’s largest – is literally next door with 300+ stores and 50+ restaurants, providing brilliant pre-match options. The area’s multicultural character means fantastic food from around the world, with Shepherd’s Bush Market offering brilliant Caribbean, African, and Middle Eastern cuisines.
QPR’s history is fascinating – founded in 1882, they’re one of London’s oldest clubs. The golden era came in the 1970s when they finished runners-up in the First Division in 1976 (missing the title by a single point!) and won the League Cup in 1967. They reached the FA Cup Final in 1982 and spent much of the 1980s-90s in the top flight. More recently, they’ve yo-yoed between the Premier League and Championship, with spells in the top tier between 2011-2015. The School End where away fans sit provides excellent views despite the compact nature of the ground, and you’ll experience proper old-school football atmosphere.
One major word of warning: DO NOT DRIVE to Loftus Road! This is West London with nightmare parking restrictions, resident zones everywhere, and matchday chaos on the narrow residential streets. There’s no stadium parking for away fans, street parking is virtually impossible, and you’ll spend longer looking for a space than watching the match. The only sensible driving option is Westfield car park, but honestly, the tube is so easy you’d be mad to drive. White City or Shepherd’s Bush are 5-10 minutes’ walk – it couldn’t be simpler!
Our advice? Make a proper weekend of it in London. Stay central (the Central Line makes Loftus Road easily accessible), explore the capital on Saturday – South Kensington’s world-class museums (Natural History, V&A) are FREE, Portobello Road Market is brilliant on Saturdays, or hit Oxford Street for shopping. Head to Westfield a few hours before kick-off for lunch and pre-match drinks at one of the many pubs and restaurants, then take the easy 10-minute walk to Loftus Road. Experience the intimate atmosphere from the School End, then either explore West London’s nightlife or return to central London for Saturday night. Sunday offers more sightseeing before heading home. This is London football at its finest – compact ground, brilliant atmosphere, world-class city on the doorstep!
📞 USEFUL CONTACTS
🔵⚪ Queens Park Rangers FC: 020 8743 0262 | qpr.co.uk
🎫 Ticket Office: 0844 477 007
🚇 TfL Journey Planner: tfl.gov.uk
🚂 National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 | nationalrail.co.uk
🛍️ Westfield London: 020 3371 2300 | westfield.com/london
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📍 Part of the Football Nonsense Championship Away Days Collection
For more away day guides, visit footballnonsense.co.uk
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.