🍺 THE PIRELLI STADIUM AWAY DAY GUIDE 🍺
Burton Albion – Your Complete Travel Guide
🍺 ABOUT THE PIRELLI STADIUM
The Pirelli Stadium is one of the newest grounds in English football and represents one of the game’s greatest underdog stories. Opened in 2005, this modern, purpose-built venue replaced the cramped old Eton Park and gave Burton Albion facilities worthy of their Football League ambitions. It’s a compact, functional stadium that does everything well without unnecessary frills – four identical stands create an intimate atmosphere, with every seat offering decent views.
The stadium’s naming rights belong to Pirelli, whose UK factory is just down the road, a perfect reflection of Burton’s industrial heritage. Since opening, the Pirelli Stadium has witnessed Burton’s extraordinary rise from Conference football to League Two champions, then promotion to League One, and, incredibly, reaching the Championship in 2016. For a town of Burton’s size to reach the second tier was phenomenal, and the modern stadium played its part.
Burton Albion – The Brewers – reflects the town’s famous brewing heritage. Burton upon Trent has been synonymous with beer production for centuries. At its peak, one in four pints brewed in Britain came from Burton! The town’s unique gypsum-rich water made it perfect for brewing, particularly the pale ales and IPAs that built the British Empire. The club’s remarkable rise from non-league football to the Championship was genuinely inspirational, proper underdog spirit combined with smart management. They’re now back in League One, of course, looking to battle their way back to the levels above.
Today, you can still visit working breweries, explore fascinating brewing heritage, and watch League One football in a modern, welcoming stadium. The Pirelli Stadium sits next to a retail park, which some might say lacks romance, but it’s practical for supporters and generates revenue for the club. It’s a proper modern, functional football ground that serves its purpose brilliantly!
📊 STADIUM SPECIFICATIONS
| Capacity | 6,912 (all seated) |
| Opened | 2005 |
| Away Section | East Stand |
| Away Allocation | Typically 1,500 seats |
| Record Attendance | 6,746 vs Derby County (Championship, 2016) |
🚗 GETTING TO THE PIRELLI STADIUM
The Pirelli Stadium is located on Princess Way (A511), approximately 1.5 miles from Burton-on-Trent station. Burton-on-Trent sits on the Cross Country route between Birmingham and Derby, providing excellent connections from across the Midlands and beyond. The ground is accessible by train + taxi/bus/walk, or by car with parking at the adjacent retail park. Burton’s central location makes it easily accessible from across the country.
🗺️ STADIUM LOCATION MAP
Pirelli Stadium Address: Princess Way, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 0AR
🚂 BY TRAIN – The Recommended Choice
Why Trains Work: Burton-on-Trent station sits on the Cross Country route between Birmingham and Derby, providing excellent connections from across the Midlands and beyond. It’s a proper mainline station with regular services. From the station, the Pirelli Stadium is 1.5 miles – either a 30-minute walk (not the most scenic!), a short bus ride, or a highly recommended £6-8 taxi journey that drops you right at the ground.
Journey Times to Burton-on-Trent Station:
🔴 London St Pancras: 2 hours 15 minutes (change at Derby)
🟠 Birmingham New Street: 35-45 minutes (direct)
🟡 Manchester Piccadilly: 2 hours 15 minutes (change at Derby)
🟢 Derby: 15-20 minutes (direct)
🔵 Nottingham: 30-35 minutes (direct)
🟣 Leeds: 2 hours 30 minutes (change at Derby or Sheffield)
🔴 Sheffield: 1 hour 45 minutes (change at Derby)
Getting from Burton-on-Trent Station to The Pirelli Stadium
🚶 Walking (30 minutes)
Exit onto Station Street, turn right and walk towards the town centre. Cross the bridge over the River Trent, and continue along High Street. Turn left onto Moor Street, which becomes Princess Way. The stadium is on your right after about 25-30 minutes. It’s walkable but not the most scenic route!
🚌 Bus (10-15 minutes, £2-£3)
Several local bus services run from near the station towards the stadium area. Numbers 9, X38, and X12 stop relatively close. Check staffordshire.gov.uk/buses for routes and times.
🚕 Taxi (5-10 minutes, £6-£8)
Readily available at the station. Highly recommended as the walk isn’t particularly pleasant, and the cost is reasonable. Drops you right at the ground!
💡 Top Tip: Unless you’re planning to explore Burton town centre before the match, take a taxi from the station (£6-8). It’s the most convenient option and saves time. If you do want to explore, head into town first (a 10-15 minute walk from the station), visit the National Brewery Centre, grab some food and drinks, then either walk or taxi to the ground from there.
🔗 Train Times & Tickets: nationalrail.co.uk | thetrainline.com
🔗 Burton Albion Official Site: burtonalbionfc.co.uk
🚗 BY CAR – Good Parking Available
Driving to the Pirelli Stadium is straightforward with excellent motorway access. The stadium is located just off the A511, with clear signposting from all major routes. Parking is generally manageable at the adjacent retail park.
If You’re Driving:
- Directions from M1: Exit at Junction 23 or 23A, follow A50 towards Derby. Exit onto A511 towards Burton, stadium is well signposted (15-20 minutes from the motorway)
- Directions from M6: Exit at Junction 14 onto A5013 towards Uttoxeter. Follow A50 towards Derby, then A511 to Burton (20-25 minutes)
- Directions from M42: Exit at Junction 11 onto A444 towards Burton. Follow into the town centre, then A511/Princess Way to the stadium (10 minutes)
- Directions from Derby/East: Follow A38 south, exit onto A511 towards Burton town centre
- Directions from Birmingham/West: A38 north to Burton, follow signs for town centre, then A511
Parking Options:
- Princess Way Retail Park: Large car park next to the stadium. Free parking, but it gets very busy on matchdays. Arrive 90+ minutes early
- Official Stadium Car Park: Limited spaces, pay-and-display (around £5-6). Fills up quickly
- Street Parking: Limited in surrounding roads with restrictions – check signs carefully
- Town Centre: Several pay-and-display car parks (£3-5), 15-20 minute walk to stadium
💡 Top Tip: The retail park next door is your best bet – it’s literally next to the stadium and free! But arrive at least 90 minutes before kick-off as it fills up quickly. Leaving after the match is straightforward with good access to the A511.
🍺 PUBS & DRINKS NEAR THE PIRELLI STADIUM
⚠️ IMPORTANT ADVICE: The area immediately around the Pirelli Stadium is fairly industrial and residential, so pub options are limited right next to the ground. However, Burton town centre is only a 15-20-minute walk away and offers plenty of excellent choices! Burton is the brewing capital of Britain – you’re spoilt for choice for good ale. Most Burton pubs are welcoming to visiting fans, especially in the town centre.
🍺 Near the Stadium
🍺 The Beech Inn (Beech Lane, DE13 0BE)
Closest option to the stadium (5-minute walk). Traditional local pub that welcomes away fans. Nothing fancy, but friendly atmosphere, decent beer selection, and shows football on TV. Gets busy on matchdays, so arrive early!
Distance to Stadium: 5 mins walk | Price: ££ (Mid-range)
🍺 Town Centre Pubs (15-20 minute walk)
🍺 Burton Bridge Inn (24 Bridge Street, DE14 1SY)
Excellent brewery tap for Burton Bridge Brewery. Outstanding range of their own beers, proper pub grub, and traditional atmosphere. Burton is brewing country – you’re spoilt for choice here! Very popular with visiting fans who appreciate good ale. This is a must-visit for beer enthusiasts!
Distance to Stadium: 20 mins walk | Price: ££ (Mid-range)
🍺 The Devonshire Arms (86 Station Street, DE14 1BT)
Large Marston’s pub with a good food menu, a wide beer selection (Marston’s is based in Burton!), and a family-friendly atmosphere. Reliably welcomes away supporters and gets a good pre-match crowd. Central location near the station.
Distance to Stadium: 20 mins walk from stadium, 10 mins from station | Price: ££ (Mid-range)
🍺 The Old Cottage Tavern (14 Byrkley Street, DE14 2EG)
Traditional Burton pub near the town centre. Small, friendly, good selection of local ales. Perfect for experiencing authentic Burton pub culture away from matchday crowds. Proper local boozer!
Distance to Stadium: 20 mins walk | Price: ££ (Mid-range)
🍺 The Dog Inn (Lichfield Street, DE14 3QZ)
Just outside the town centre. Classic local with good beer and welcoming to visitors. Often quieter than town centre options on matchdays. Good Burton ales on tap.
Distance to Stadium: 20 mins walk | Price: ££ (Mid-range)
🍔 Food Options: The adjacent Octagon Retail Park has several chains (McDonald’s, KFC, Subway, Greggs) – gets absolutely rammed before matches, but convenient! Burton town centre has various chain restaurants, Wetherspoons, plus local cafés and chippies. Most town centre pubs serve decent grub. Stadium concourses have pies (actually decent!), burgers, and hot food (£4-5).
🍺 Brewer’s Tip: Burton is the brewing capital of Britain! This is your chance to try exceptional locally-brewed ales. Burton Bridge, Marston’s, and other Burton breweries produce outstanding beers. Don’t just stick to the usual suspects – try something local! The National Brewery Centre is world-class if you’ve got time before the match.
🏨 WHERE TO STAY IN BURTON
Burton offers decent accommodation across various price ranges, though it’s a smaller town than nearby Derby or Nottingham. As a brewing heritage destination, the National Brewery Centre attracts tourists, offering several good options. For more choice, Derby (15 minutes by train) or Nottingham (30 minutes) offer far more hotels and better nightlife. Book in advance for weekend fixtures. (see the travel guides for Derby and/or Nottingham Forest)
💷 Budget Options (£50-£80 per night)
Premier Inn Burton Centre
Station Street area. Modern, reliable, good value. Walking distance to the town centre pubs and about 20 minutes to the stadium. Usually £45-65 per room. Can’t go wrong with Premier Inn!
Location: Near station | Book: premierinn.com
Travelodge Burton Central
Wellington Street. Basic but perfectly adequate accommodation. The town centre location makes it ideal for pre-match pubs. Around £40-60 per room, depending on booking time.
Location: Town centre | Book: travelodge.co.uk
Local B&Bs
Several small B&Bs around Burton offering basic rooms from £40-50 per night. Check booking.com or Google Maps for options near the town centre. Variable quality but generally decent for the price.
💡 Budget Tip: The chains (Premier Inn/Travelodge) offer the best value in Burton. Book early for the cheapest rates! Prices rise significantly close to matchdays.
💷💷 Mid-Range Options (£60-£100 per night)
The Riverside Hotel
Riverside Drive, DE14 1SE. Lovely location by the River Trent, modern rooms, on-site restaurant and bar. About a 15-minute walk to the stadium. Rooms typically cost £70-90. Good option for a comfortable stay with river views!
Location: Riverside | Book: riversidehotelburton.co.uk
Three Queens Hotel
Bridge Street, DE14 1SY. Historic coaching inn dating back centuries. Full of character with modern comforts. Excellent town centre location for pubs and restaurants. Rooms around £75-95.
Location: Town centre | Book: threequeenshotel.co.uk
Holiday Inn Express Burton
Second Avenue, DE14 2WF. Reliable chain hotel with breakfast included, modern facilities, and comfortable rooms. Around £65-85 per night. Good parking is available.
Location: Near town centre | Book: ihg.com
⭐ Recommended: The Riverside Hotel offers something a bit special whilst still being reasonably priced. Lovely setting and much nicer than a standard chain hotel!
Nearby Alternatives
Derby (15 minutes by train):
Much larger city with far more hotel options at all price points. Excellent nightlife and restaurants, too. Very easy to get back to Derby after the match – trains run frequently. Ideal if you’re making a weekend of it! Seriously worth considering for accommodation and evening entertainment.
Lichfield (20-minute drive):
Beautiful historic cathedral city with charming accommodation options. Quieter and more picturesque than Burton. Good choice if you want to explore the area and have a car.
Uttoxeter (15 minutes drive):
Market town with several budget and mid-range hotels. Convenient for driving to the stadium with good parking available.
💡 Tip: Derby is genuinely worth considering – a wider choice of hotels, better nightlife, and excellent rail links to Burton. You could base yourself there and have a much better evening before/after the match!
🎯 THINGS TO DO IN BURTON
Burton upon Trent is world-famous as the brewing capital of Britain and offers fascinating heritage attractions alongside the football. For centuries, Burton has been synonymous with beer production. The town’s unique gypsum-rich water made it perfect for brewing, particularly the pale ales and IPAs that built the British Empire. This combines League One football with genuine brewing history!
🍺 National Brewery Centre (Must Visit!)
The highlight of any Burton visit! This outstanding museum tells the story of British brewing with Burton at its heart. Interactive exhibits, historic brewery equipment, and fascinating displays spanning centuries of Burton’s brewing heritage. The tour includes the brewing process, historic delivery vehicles, and vintage advertising. But the real attraction? The brewery tours and tasting sessions! You can sample a range of beers brewed on-site, learn about Burton’s unique water that made it perfect for brewing, and understand why Burton became the brewing capital of the world.
Cost: £8-12 depending on tour options. Brewery tours are extra but absolutely worth it! | Open: 10am-5pm most days | Info: nationalbrewerycentre.co.uk | Time: Allow 2-3 hours
About a 10-minute walk from the town centre, 20 minutes from the stadium. This is genuinely world-class – one of Britain’s best brewing museums!
🏛️ Town Centre & Shopping
Burton’s town centre is pleasant enough with a good mix of chain stores and independent shops. The main shopping areas are around High Street and Coopers Square Shopping Centre. Market Place hosts a traditional market several days a week, selling everything from fresh produce to clothing. While it’s not going to compete with Birmingham or Derby for shopping, it’s a nice enough town centre to wander around and grab a coffee. The Market Hall on Lichfield Street is worth a look for local traders and Burton memorabilia. There are several nice cafés and traditional pubs dotted throughout the centre – perfect for a pre-match pint or bite to eat!
🏭 Claymills Victorian Pumping Station
For industrial heritage enthusiasts, this is superb! A beautifully preserved Victorian sewage pumping station featuring massive beam engines that operated until 1969. The site includes four working engines, original buildings, and fascinating displays about Victorian engineering. The engines are steamed on special open days – check their website for dates. It’s about 2 miles from the town centre, but it’s worth the trip if you’re interested in industrial history.
Cost: Free admission, but donations are welcome | Info: claymills.org.uk
⛪ St Modwen’s Church
Burton’s parish church dates back centuries and is named after Saint Modwen, who founded the monastery that gave Burton its name (Burton Abbey, now long gone). The current building is mainly Victorian but sits on ancient foundations. Worth a quick look if you appreciate church architecture – it’s right in the town centre on High Street. Free entry.
Nearby Attractions
Tutbury Castle (15-minute drive):
Atmospheric castle ruins with great views over the countryside. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned here! Interesting history and nice for a walk. Check opening times – not always open. tutburycastle.com
Lichfield (20-minute drive):
Stunning cathedral city – one of England’s most beautiful cathedrals, historic streets, excellent restaurants and pubs. Birthplace of Samuel Johnson. Well worth a visit if you’re making a weekend of it!
Derby (15 minutes by train):
Much larger city with Derby Cathedral, Derby Museum & Art Gallery, and the fascinating Silk Mill Museum of Making. Good shopping, great nightlife, plenty to explore. Very convenient by train from Burton!
Alton Towers (30-minute drive):
If you’re visiting with family and making a weekend of it, Britain’s most famous theme park is close by. Probably best saved for a separate trip though!
🍺 THE BURTON EXPERIENCE
🍺 Brewery Heritage: Burton is Britain’s brewing capital – one in four pints brewed here at its peak! World-class brewing history.
🏭 Industrial Character: Genuine working-class industrial town with authentic character and no pretensions!
📍 Central Location: Perfectly positioned between Derby, Nottingham, and Birmingham – easy access from everywhere!
⚽ THE MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE
🎯 Underdog Story: Burton’s rise from non-league to Championship is one of football’s great success stories!
🏟️ Modern Stadium: Compact, functional ground with excellent facilities and good atmosphere when full!
👥 Friendly Fans: Welcoming supporters who remember non-league days and appreciate good football!
💭 FINAL THOUGHTS
Visiting the Pirelli Stadium means experiencing one of English football’s most remarkable success stories. Burton Albion’s rise from non-league football to the Championship is genuinely inspirational, and the modern stadium represents everything they’ve achieved. It might not have the history of older grounds or the prestige of bigger venues, but the Pirelli Stadium is a proper, functional football ground that serves its purpose brilliantly.
The compact, symmetrical design creates a surprisingly good atmosphere when full, and the facilities throughout are excellent. Away fans get a good allocation in a modern stand with unobstructed views – you’re close to the action and never feel too far from the pitch. Burton supporters appreciate their club’s journey and generally foster a friendly, welcoming atmosphere with little hostility. These are fans who remember non-league football and value what they’ve got!
But the real attraction of visiting Burton is the town’s incredible brewing heritage! As Britain’s historic brewing capital, Burton upon Trent produced one in four pints brewed in the country at its peak. The unique gypsum-rich water made it perfect for brewing pale ales and IPAs that built the British Empire. Today, that heritage lives on through working breweries, historic brewing sites, and most importantly, the outstanding National Brewery Centre.
This museum is genuinely world-class – with fascinating exhibits, brewery tours, and exceptional beer-tasting sessions. If you appreciate good beer and brewing history, Burton is absolutely brilliant! The town itself retains plenty of industrial character alongside modern amenities, with good pubs scattered throughout the centre serving locally-brewed ales.
The practical side is straightforward – excellent train links from across the Midlands, easy driving access via multiple motorways, and convenient parking at the adjacent retail park. The location next to retail chains means quick food options if you’re rushed, whilst the town centre (15-20 minute walk) offers proper pub culture and better dining. Burton’s central location makes it perfect for exploring the wider area too – Derby, Lichfield, and Nottingham are all close by for those making a weekend of it.
This might not be the most glamorous away day in English football, but it’s authentic, interesting, and genuinely friendly. The club’s underdog story deserves respect, the brewing heritage is fascinating, and the locals are welcoming. Arrive early, visit the Brewery Centre, sample some exceptional Burton ales, and enjoy watching football at one of the game’s most inspiring success stories. The Pirelli Stadium and Burton upon Trent might surprise you!
Take the train to Burton, explore the brewing heritage, sample exceptional local ales, and experience the Pirelli Stadium where an underdog dream came true!
🍺⚽ Come On You Brewers! 🍺⚽
📞 USEFUL CONTACTS
🏟️ Burton Albion: 01283 565938 | burtonalbionfc.co.uk
🎫 Ticket Office: 01283 565938 | burtonalbionfc.co.uk/tickets
🚂 National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 | nationalrail.co.uk
🚌 Staffordshire Buses: staffordshire.gov.uk/buses
ℹ️ Visit Burton: enjoystaffordshire.com
🍺 National Brewery Centre: 01283 532880 | nationalbrewerycentre.co.uk
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🍺 Part of the Football Nonsense League One 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.